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The Defence Planning Committee of the North Atlantic Treaty
Organization met in Ministerial session in Brussels on 10th
May, 1968.
- Ministers reaffirmed the need for the Alliance to
maintain an effective military capability and to assure a
balance of forces between NATO and the Warsaw Pact in Europe
and elsewhere. They regard this as essential for the
preservation of the climate of stability, security and
confidence necessary for progress towards détente and
solution of outstanding political issues. To this end, and
as part of the continuing process of NATO defence planning,
they adopted a series of force goals for the period
1969-1973 as a basis for the preparation of plans by
countries and the adoption of a NATO force plan by Ministers
in December 1968. These goals mark a further stage in the
adaptation of NATO's force structure to the strategic
concept, adopted in December 1967, of forward defence and of
a balanced range of appropriate responses. In welcoming the
fact that studies were now proceeding under the aegis of the
Council on the subject of possible balanced force
reductions, Ministers endorsed the proposition that the
overall military capability of NATO should not be reduced
except as part of a pattern of mutual force reductions
balanced in scope and timing.
- In support of five-year force planning, Ministers
recognized the success of the NATO common infrastructure
program in providing physical facilities fundamental to
NATO's deterrent and defensive effectiveness and in
demonstrating the cohesion and solidarity of the Alliance.
They decided that it should be continued without
interruption, and directed that a review be undertaken to
ensure its most effective implementation.
- Ministers adopted, as a basis for further planning, a
concept for the external reinforcement of the flanks to
supplement local national forces in an emergency. They
recognized at the same time the vital role that local
national forces play in the defence of the flank regions,
and the need to improve their effectiveness.
- Ministers devoted special attention to the plans of
member countries for mobilizing reservists as a means of
matching any military build-up by a potential aggressor.
They also reviewed reports on a number of studies
commissioned at previous meetings, and gave instructions for
further work.
- The Defence Planning Committee endorsed a recommendation
by Ministers of member countries of the Nuclear Defence
Affairs Committee, who had met earlier the same day, for
approval of the view reached by the Nuclear Planning Group,
at its Ministerial meeting in The Hague on 18th and l9th
April, 1968, that present circumstances did not justify the
deployment of an anti-ballistic missile system in Europe,
but that developments in this field should be kept under
constant review. Ministers approved recommendations by the
Nuclear Planning Group and the Nuclear Defence Affairs
Committee for increasing participation of member countries
in the military nuclear planning of the Alliance. They fully
endorsed the hope expressed by Ministers of the Nuclear
Planning Group that progress could be made in discussions
with the Soviet Union towards a limitation of the strategic
nuclear arms race, and welcomed the intention of the United
States Government to consult fully with its allies on new
developments in this direction.
- The Nuclear Defence Affairs Committee agreed that the
member countries of the Nuclear Planning Group for the
period of eighteen months from 1st July, 1968, should be
Belgium, Denmark, the Federal Republic of Germany, Greece,
Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Turkey
will take Greece's place during the period at an appropriate
time.
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