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I
The North Atlantic Council met in Ministerial Session in
the Hague on 30th and 31st May, 1979.
- Commemorating the 30th Anniversary of the Alliance,
Ministers expressed their deep satisfaction at the decisive
contribution the Alliance had made to the maintenance of
peace in Europe, and thereby to the security and economic
and social advancement of their countries. They renewed
their faith in the purposes and principles of the Alliance,
and pledged the continuing dedication of their countries
to democracy, individual liberty and the rule of law
- In the light of Article 2 of the North Atlantic Treaty,
Ministers considered a report by the Secretary General on
economic co-operation and assistance within the Alliance.
Ministers recognized the continued urgency of making
economic assistance available to members of the Alliance
experiencing severe difficulties and the necessity of
finding practical solutions to this problem. They
reaffirmed their continued political support for efforts
to this end. The Ministers also noted with satisfaction the
action recently taken in another international forum.
- Ministers expressed their confidence that as the
Alliance enters into its fourth decade, it will continue
to ensure the security of its members by pursuing the
complementary aims of deterrence and detente thus
contributing to peace and stability. Recalling the study
undertaken in 1978 as the background for Alliance
consultation on East-West issues, they reviewed recent
developments in East-West relations, They noted with
attention certain signs in recent statements which might
indicate a desire on the part of the Warsaw Pact countries
to make efforts towards a better situation. At the same
time they noted the persistence of disturbing factors,
above all the ceaseless growth of the military power of
these countries and its projection abroad. In the face of
these facts, Ministers underlined the importance of
continued steadfastness and solidarity among the members
of the Alliance coupled with a sustained defence effort.
While recalling that detente is an indivisible process,
they remained committed to seeking concrete progress in
efforts to strengthen confidence in international relations
and expressed their determination to continue to strive
towards this end, especially in the dialogues and
negotiations under way.
- Ministers welcomed the agreement reached between the
United States and the Soviet Union in the Strategic Arms
Limitation-Talks. They agreed that a balanced limitation
of the nuclear weapons capabilities of the Soviet Union and
the United States will make an important contribution to
East-West relations and security. Ministers expressed their
satisfaction with the past record of close and full
exchanges within the Alliance on issues arising from these
talks and confirmed the importance of continuing these
exchanges. They looked forward to the opportunity to study
in depth the official SALT II text once the treaty is
signed.
- Ministers again stressed the importance they attach to
the continuation and deepening of the CSCE process as a
central element of detente. In reviewing the implementation
of the CSCE Final Act Ministers re-emphasised that progress
in implementation is essential for the continuation of the
CSCE process. Such progress could provide a basis for
participation at the political level at the Madrid Meeting
and contribute to a successful outcome. They expressed
their concern that, although there had been progress in
some sectors, the situation in others, notably that of
human rights and fundamental freedoms, remained largely
unchanged and had, in some instances in the field of
information, deteriorated. In the latter context they noted
with special concern the restrictions recently imposed by
some states participating in the CSCE on the working
conditions for journalists. They observed that the three
meetings of experts envisaged by the Belgrade Meeting had
taken place in a satisfactory atmosphere. Welcoming the
fact that the need for careful preparation of the Madrid
Meeting is widely recognised, they reiterated their
intention to consult closely, both among the Allies and
with all other participating states, to this end and in
order to stimulate continued development of
confidence-building measures, which Western countries had
already suggested at the Belgrade Meeting on the basis of
the recommendations contained in the CSCE Final Act; they
expressed the hope that it would be possible to achieve
concrete progress in Madrid. They stressed the importance
of maintaining a balance among all sections of the Final
Act and their determination to continue efforts to achieve
full implementation of all its principles and provisions.
- Ministers reviewed developments concerning Berlin and
Germany as a whole. They agreed that the continuation since
their last meeting of a calm situation in Berlin and on the
access routes is a positive element of the general climate
in Europe. They emphasised the importance which the
maintenance of an undisturbed Berlin situation continues
to have for detente and stability in Europe.
- Ministers of countries participating in the
negotiations on MBFR expressed their disappointment at the
absence of significant progress in spite of the efforts
made by the Western negotiators. They re-emphasised their
determination to work for a successful outcome which would
enhance stability, peace and security in Europe. They
reaffirmed their proposal to create approximate parity in
ground forces of the two sides in the area of reductions
through the establishment of a common collective ceiling
for ground force manpower on each side and the reduction
of the disparity in main battle tanks; a first phase
reductions agreement concerning United States and Soviet
ground forces on the basis proposed by the participating
Allies would be an important and practical step towards
this goal. Ministers noted that the relevance of their
proposal for the achievement of a more stable relationship
in Europe is no longer disputed in principle in the
negotiations. However, important differences of substance
remain unresolved. The central open questions are the
clarification of the data base - prerequisite to genuine
parity - and the implementation of the principle of
collectivity. These Ministers recalled that, since their
last meeting, the Western side has made important moves on
these two central issues. They called on the Eastern side
to take full account of the Western moves and to respond
positively in order to restore the momentum in the talks.
These Ministers underlined the importance which they attach
to associated measures which would promote military
stability and confidence and ensure verification of an MBFR
agreement. In this connection they also stressed the
significance of undiminished security for the flank
countries.
- In the face of the continuing build-up of nuclear and
conventional weapons, Ministers reaffirmed their
determination to explore all avenues in the pursuit of
realistic and verifiable disarmament and arms control
measures which will enhance stability, reduce force levels
and promote security. Ministers expressed their hope that
the continuing process initiated by the United Nations
Special Session on Disarmament would stimulate speedier
progress in international disarmament negotiations. In
particular they welcomed the start made by the Committee
on Disarmament in Geneva and the United Nations Disarmament
Commission in New York. Active consultations on arms
control and disarmament issues are taking place within the
permanent machinery of the Alliance. As another element in
the search for ways to develop the disarmament process,
Ministers had a further useful exchange of views on the
proposal made by France in May 1978 to all the European
countries, as well as to the United States and Canada,
designed not only to build confidence but also to limit and
reduce conventional weapons throughout Europe. They decided
to continue examining this proposal and its prospects for
confidence-building and security in this continent.
- Ministers again voiced their concern at the continued
growth in Warsaw Pact military power beyond levels
justified for defensive purposes. They expressed particular
concern about the growing Soviet theatre nuclear
capabilities. While expressing their determination to
pursue all aspects of detente, Ministers, recalling the
decisions taken at the London and Washington meetings,
underlined the need to continue to devote the resources
necessary to modernize and strengthen Allied capabilities
to the extent required for deterrence and defence.
- Ministers welcomed the developments reported by the
Conference of National Armaments Directors in the field of
equipment co-operation designed to bring about a more
effective use of available resources. They noted that good
progress was being made both in establishing new joint
programmes for individual items and in working out
armaments planning procedures. They noted with satisfaction
that the transatlantic dialogue was evolving in a practical
way toward the establishment of more balanced relations
among the European and North American members of the
Alliance in the field of development and production of new
defence equipment and the augmenting of its quantity and
quality, bearing in mind the importance of standardization
and interoperability. In this connection, the special
concerns of the less industrialized countries of the
Alliance would continue to be borne in mind.
- Ministers examined two reports relating to civil
emergency matters. They took note of the action so far
taken by the member countries concerned to provide civil
support for the rapid reinforcement of Allied forces in
Europe and underlined the importance of civil emergency
planning. Ministers agreed on the need for greater
governmental support for civil emergency planning, with a
view to redressing present shortcomings and achieving
significant improvements in the level of civil preparedness
as rapidly as possible.
- With regard to the Middle East, the Ministers paid
tribute to the efforts undertaken by President Carter,
President Sadat and Prime Minister Begin. They underlined
the fact that a lasting peace in the Middle East requires
the participation of all the parties concerned, including
representatives of the Palestinian people, in the
elaboration and implementation of a comprehensive
settlement of the conflict based on Resolutions 242 and 338
and respect for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian
people.
- Ministers noted the continuation of the dialogue
between Greece and Turkey and expressed the hope that this
initiative will be pursued through joint efforts so that
positive and concrete results could be attained in the near
future.
- Ministers took note of the semi-annual report on the
situation in the Mediterranean. They reaffirmed their
conviction that the balance off forces in the whole
Mediterranean region is an essential requirement for peace
in the area.
- Ministers recognized the significant contribution of
the NATO Science Programme in encouraging scientific and
technological collaboration within the Alliance and
expressed their full support for it. They welcomed in
particular the intensified consideration being given by the
Science Committee to the possibilities of reducing
scientific and technological disparities between member
countries through co-operative activities.
II
The Ministers of the countries participating in the High
Level Group on theatre nuclear force modernization and the
Special Group on arms control discussed the activities of
these groups. Against the background of the growth in
Soviet theatre nuclear forces referred to above, they noted
that the continuing necessity to maintain and modernize
theatre nuclear forces in support of the strategy of
forward defence and flexible response, envisaging no
increase in overall reliance on nuclear systems, had
recently been reaffirmed. At the same time, in line with
the fundamental dual objectives of detente and deterrence,
they emphasized the need for a response to this challenge
which combines the complementary approaches of force
improvements and arms control. In preparation for decisions
to be made these Ministers welcomed the fact that the
Special Group was working effectively in parallel with the
High Level Group and took note of the report on the
progress of its work.
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