Final Communiqué The North Atlantic Council met in Ministerial Session at Ankara on the 25th and 26th June 1980. In reviewing the international situation, Ministers noted with concern that the past six months have been overshadowed by developments which challenge the foundations of stability in the world. The rules which govern relations between states are defined in the United Nations Charter: the violations of these rules have led to tensions which are prejudicial to the understanding and trust which ought to govern relations between states. Ministers underlined the opposition of their Governments to threat or use of force and they reaffirmed their commitment to the peaceful settlement of international disputes. They considered it particularly important in present circumstances to reaffirm their determination to work together for the achievement of the fundamental ideals and aims of the Atlantic Alliance: national independence, security, human rights, democracy and the rule of law. In this connection they underlined the importance of close political consultation within the Alliance. Ministers expressed their deep concern at the continued occupation of Afghanistan by Soviet armed forces. This occupation of a traditionally neutral and non-aligned country of the Third World has aroused the resistance of the Afghan people, led to the flight of about a million refugees and has been condemned by the overwhelming majority of the international community in resolutions of the UN General Assembly, the UN Human Rights Commission, the Islamic Conference and other bodies. They regard as unacceptable this armed intervention and the attempt to crush the national resistance of the Afghan people by massive military force, and they note that the arguments used by the Soviet Government to justify its actions are totally unconvincing. Reaffirming the words of the UN General Assembly Resolution of 14th January 1980, adopted by 104 votes, Ministers stressed the need for "immediate, unconditional and total withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan" and urged the Soviet government to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of that country and the rights of the Afghan people freely to determine their future. Ministers noted that the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan carried with it very serious implications for the general strategic situation. By using its own military forces directly to impose its will, this time on a non-aligned country, the Soviet government has clearly demonstrated its readiness to exploit opportunities to shift the balance of forces in its favour. It has thus given rise to grave concerns about its future intentions and is threatening the security of a region which is vital for world peace and stability. While recognizing that the security of the region is primarily the concern of the countries there, Ministers welcomed the fact that members of the Alliance are, by reason of their relations with those countries, in a position to make a contribution to peace and stability in the region. Ministers agreed that the international crisis caused by the Soviet intervention calls for a resolute, constant and concerted response on the part of the Allies. It is vital that the Soviet government should be left in no doubt as to the extremely grave view which the Allies take of this situation which jeopardizes world peace. Ministers reaffirmed that there could be no question of accepting a fait accompli resulting from the use of force. Afghanistan should be neither a pawn nor a threat for anyone. They stressed the need for a political settlement which must necessarily provide for the total and immediate withdrawal of Soviet forces so as to enable the Afghan people to decide on its future peacefully with complete freedom and without any outside pressure. The recent announcement that some Soviet troops are being withdrawn from Afghanistan would only be of interest if it were the beginning of a total withdrawal. Ministers welcomed the important role which the Islamic Conference and the Non-Aligned Movement have assumed in the search for a political solution. Ministers noted that while there had been various proposals formulated or inspired by the Soviet Union, including the ideas advanced in the Declaration of the Warsaw Pact states of 15th May 1980, none of them had addressed the basic issues and all would subject the national independence and right of self determination of the Afghan people to restrictions unacceptable in international law. Ministers noted that the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan had done serious damage to détente, to which they reaffirmed their attachment. They restated their willingness to work for the improvement of East-West relations and their wish to keep open the channels of communication between the countries of East and West, so as to make their views clear, to prevent misunderstanding, to facilitate a resolution of the present crisis, and to foster constructive co-operation, as circumstances permit. They reaffirmed, however, that détente cannot be pursued in one region of the world regardless off developments in another. Moreover, they agreed that restoration of a co-operative relationship must be based on a foundation of mutual confidence, and this has been shaken by recent Soviet actions. It will need to be rebuilt by positive action on the part of the Soviet government to live up to the peaceful intentions which it professes. In addition to the concern created by the invasion of Afghanistan, Ministers noted that, despite Warsaw Pact statements that they did not seek military superiority, there was no sign of any slackening of the substantial rate of growth in the quality, readiness and strength of Soviet and other Warsaw Pact forces which threaten to increase the present military disparities, particularly in Europe. Ministers, therefore, re-emphasized their Governments' resolve to take all necessary steps individually or collectively to maintain an adequate level of deterrence and defence across the full spectrum. They reaffirmed that more effective use of resources through co-operative equipment programmes and increased standardization and interoperability of weapons systems was a key element in conventional force modernization and they noted with satisfaction further progress in this respect. They reaffirmed too that they would continue to work through the Transatlantic Dialogue toward more balanced relations among the European and North American Allies in armaments development and production and toward heightened availability and quality of new defence equipment. In this connection Ministers welcomed the work of the Conference of National Armaments Directors. They also commented on the importance of the work of the Independent European Programme Group and the progress they expected of it. They re-emphasized the need to bear in mind the interests of the less industrialised members of the Alliance in the course of improving armaments co-operation. Ministers also stressed the significance of maintaining the technological advantages which NATO members possess. In parallel with the efforts of their Governments to maintain and strengthen their defence capabilities, Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to the pursuit of effective, balanced and verifiable measures of disarmament and arms control. They nonetheless noted that the prospects for success will depend on the restoration of international confidence and stability. Ministers emphasized that their Governments wished to avoid a competitive arms race, but the substantial reductions in the level of forces which they seek will only be possible if negotiations are based on a genuine willingness to achieve undiminished security for all participants and if the Warsaw Pact countries are convinced of the determination of the Allies to maintain an adequate level of defence capabilities. They devoted particular attention to the various initiatives of members of the Alliance in the area of arms control. They noted that these proposals had not met with a positive response. Ministers reaffirmed the determination of their Governments to play their full part in the current disarmament work of the Committee on Disarmament in Geneva as well as of the United Nations Disarmament Commission and other United Nations bodies. They underlined the importance they attach to the frequent and active consultations which take place on arms control and disarmament questions within the context of the permanent machinery of the Alliance. Ministers reaffirmed their support for the SALT II Treaty which represents a significant contribution towards curbing the arms race and to ensuring the security of the Alliance and the stability of East-West relations. They expressed regret that the current international crisis had delayed until now the process of ratification of the Treaty. Ministers expressed the hope that circumstances would make possible its ratification by both sides at the earliest opportunity. They hoped that the continuation of the SALT process on the basis of further close consultations within the Alliance would make possible further reductions and qualitative limitations in the nuclear field between the United States and the USSR and create a favourable climate for progress in other fields of arms control. The Ministers of the countries participating in the negotiations on Mutual and Balanced Force Reductions affirmed the continued importance of progress in those negotiations as a means of achieving a more stable force relationship in Central Europe on the basis of genuine parity in military manpower in the form of a common collective ceiling on ground force manpower and a combined common collective ceiling on ground and air force manpower for each side. The determination of Western participants in those talks to achieve progress and to come to early results was demonstrated by their presentation in Vienna in December 1979 of important new proposals for an interim Phase I agreement and associated measures as part of the programme of arms control initiatives approved by those Ministers earlier in December 1979. These proposals, which thus far remain unanswered by the East, are the most recent substantive proposals advanced in the Vienna talks. They provide a realistic framework for achieving a first negotiated result, including the reduction and limitation of United States and Soviet ground force manpower in the area on the basis of agreed data on these personnel, and associated measures which would aid verification of reductions and limitations, increase military stability, enhance mutual understanding of the military posture and activities of the other side, and diminish the risk of misunderstanding and miscalculation These Ministers noted the expression in the recent declaration of the Warsaw Pact states, of a desire for more rapid progress in the Vienna talks. They called on the Warsaw Pact states to give concrete expression to this statement through practical movement on the data issue and through an early constructive and substantive Eastern response to the Western proposals of December 1979. Turning to the process initiated by the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe, Ministers noted that, in this field also, the Soviet military intervention in Afghanistan had seriously affected the confidence necessary for progress. They recalled that in the CSCE Final Act, the participating states had declared their intention to conduct their relations with all other states in the spirit of the principles guiding relations between themselves. It was therefore a matter of particular concern that the Soviet Union had acted and was still acting in Afghanistan in a manner violating the principles to which it had committed itself at Helsinki at the highest level. Ministers also deplored the increased suppression in certain countries of human rights and fundamental freedoms and the harassment, imprisonment, internal exile and banishment of those who strive for implementation of the Final Act. They expressed their concern that despite some positive developments, implementation in the field of human contacts remained uneven. They also noted with regret the lack of progress towards the freer flow of information. Against this background Ministers considered the approach to the forthcoming CSCE Follow-up meeting at Madrid. They stressed the importance of maintaining the integrity of the Final Act. They agreed that the emphasis must be placed on full implementation of its principles and provisions. Therefore, Allied representatives at Madrid will engage in a thorough, frank and measured review of implementation with a view to stimulating improvement. Ministers noted that the prospects for progress at Madrid and in particular for the consideration of new proposals, would be influenced by the course of this review and would depend on the international situation at that time. with this in mind, and recognizing the importance of the CSCE process for promoting contacts and negotiations between participating states, Ministers agreed to continue to develop a balanced group of proposals and remain prepared to discuss and to take account of concrete proposals for balanced and significant progress in all fields of the Final Act which may be advanced by other participants. Ministers reviewed the various proposals that have been developed so far in the field of CBMs and of certain aspects of security and disarmament. In this connection, Ministers recalled their agreement at the North Atlantic Council Meeting of December 1979, to work toward the adoption during the Madrid CSCE meeting, as part of a balanced outcome, of a mandate for further negotiations under the aegis of the CSCE, as proposed by the Government of France, on militarily significant and verifiable CBMs, applicable to the entire continent of Europe, this means including the whole of the European part of the Soviet Union. They expressed the hope that circumstances noted above would permit concrete results in this regard at the Madrid Meeting. They noted that work was continuing in the Alliance on CBMs related to military activities which would accord with these prerequisites. They agreed to continue their common efforts in this area, while recognizing that present circumstances required the Council in Permanent Session to evaluate developments on a constant basis. Ministers examined developments with regard to Berlin and Germany as a whole since their last meeting in December 1979. They expressed satisfaction with the working of the Quadripartite Agreement of 3rd September 1971 and agreed that the situation in and around Berlin has continued relatively quiet. They underlined the fundamental importance of an undisturbed climate in Berlin and on the access routes for the maintenance of security and stability in Europe. Ministers noted with satisfaction the conclusion of the agreements and arrangements between the Federal Republic of Germany and the German Democratic Republic on 30th April 1980. They welcomed the favourable effects which these will have, particularly for Berlin. In connection with the 25th anniversary of the entry into force of the Bonn and Paris Conventions, Ministers recalled that these Conventions enabled the Federal Republic of Germany to become an equal member of the North Atlantic Alliance, laid the foundations for its close co-operation, based on mutual trust, with the partners in the Alliance and contributed thereby to the strength of the Alliance and to the preservation of peace and security in Europe. They took this opportunity to recall also the importance for the improvement of the situation in Europe of the Treaties of the Federal Republic of Germany with the Soviet Union, Poland, Czechoslovakia as well as with the German Democratic Republic. Recalling that these Treaties did not affect the rights and responsibilities of the Four Powers relating to Berlin and Germany as a whole, they reaffirmed their support for the political objective of the Federal Republic of Germany to work towards a state of peace in Europe in which the German people regains its unity through free self determination. Ministers noted the report on the situation in the Mediterranean prepared on their instructions and underlined again the necessity of maintaining the balance of forces in the whole area. They requested the Council in Permanent Session to continue its consultations on this subject and report to them at their next meeting. Ministers noted that the recent developments in South-West Asia have brought even more sharply into focus the great strategic importance of the South-Eastern flank for the security of the Alliance' and for the overall balance of power in the region, the maintenance of which is essential for international stability. Ministers therefore stated that the urgency of strengthening the economic and defence postures of these member countries has further increased. In addition Ministers stressed, in the interests of the Alliance's collective defence, the importance of the initiatives undertaken to strengthen the cohesion of the South-Eastern flank. In this connection, Ministers also stressed that in the interests of the Alliance's collective defence, the restoration of full and undiminished solidarity between the member countries concerned takes on a special significance. The Ministers welcomed the continuation of the dialogue between Greece and Turkey and expressed the hope that they would pursue their joint efforts for a peaceful solution to the differences between the two countries. Ministers reviewed the particular problems faced by the economically less advanced member countries in the light of a report by the Secretary General. Noting that in the present circumstances the need for a clear demonstration of Allied solidarity is even more important, Ministers reaffirmed their attachment to the spirit of Article 2 of the North Atlantic Treaty and their continued political support for the process of enhancing the economies of those countries. In this context they reiterated the urgent need for an increase in financial assistance and economic co-operation from the Allies which are in a position to do so, through the appropriate bilateral and multilateral channels. They welcomed the efforts being made to find a solution to Turkey's economic problems, recognizing time was necessary for the current efforts to become fully effective and that they would need to continue over a number of years. Ministers recalled the welcome they gave at their Spring Session in 1979 to 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. They endorsed the establishment of a special five-year programme, "Science for Stability", proposed by the Science Committee, to strengthen the scientific and technological capabilities of Greece, Portugal and Turkey by means of co-operation with scientific institutions in other countries of the Alliance and thereby contribute to the economic development of these three countries. The modalities of implementation of this programme will be decided by the Council in Permanent Session. With respect to the Middle East, Ministers reaffirmed the importance of a just, lasting and comprehensive settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict. They reviewed the situation in the area including the progress achieved by Egypt and Israel in developing their mutual relations. Ministers believed that such a settlement should ensure the right of all states in the area, including Israel, to live within secure, recognized and guaranteed boundaries, as well as the achievement of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people. Ministers affirmed that all the parties concerned, including representatives of the Palestinian people, should participate in a negotiated settlement. Ministers considered that Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338, together with the principles stated above, should form the framework for such a settlement. They deemed it essential that this framework should be accepted by all the parties concerned. Within the context of their discussion of the need for enhancing global stability and security, Ministers called upon all countries to assume their share of the responsibility for seeking solutions to world economic problems and for contributing to the economic and social progress of the developing countries in order to bring about a more equitable international economic system. They observed that positive results from the proposed global round of negotiations within the United Nations concerning raw materials, energy, trade, development and monetary and financial questions would serve the interests of developing as well as developed countries. II. Ministers of countries who participated in the decision of 12th December 1979, to pursue the two parallel and complementary approaches on Long-Range Theatre Nuclear Forces (LRTNF) modernization and on arms control involving TNF, having received a report on progress in TNF arms control discussions, welcomed the repeated efforts of the United States, based on full consultations among the Allies concerned, to engage the Soviet Union in serious negotiations in the SALT III framework aimed at achieving verifiable limitations on Soviet and United States land-based LRTNF consistent with the principle of equality between the sides. In particular, these Ministers supported the United States readiness to engage in preliminary exchanges on such limitations without precondition or delay, as a useful starting point for negotiating on TNF in the SALT III framework. These Ministers regretted that the Soviet responses do not contain anything which would constitute practical measures designed to restore a balanced situation. Neither has the Soviet Union so far shown any willingness to enter into serious negotiations or even to engage in preliminary exchanges. They noted that although there have been some indications that the Soviet Union recognizes that SALT III could be the appropriate forum for negotiations involving TNF, the Soviet Union continues to repeat, most recently in the Warsaw Pact Declaration, unrealistic and unacceptable preconditions which would perpetuate inequality. These Ministers therefore once again called on the Soviet Union to respond promptly and positively to the United States offers to negotiate and to enter into preliminary exchanges without any preconditions before the ratification of the SALT II Treaty. These Ministers expressed their concern about Soviet preponderance in LRTNF systems deployed to date, and noted that the systems deployed have already reached a dangerously high level. In addition to its existing force of 450 SS-4 and SS-5 LRTNF, the Soviet Union has at present deployed approximately 450 warheads on 150 SS-20 launchers. The SS-20 deployments are continuing at a rapid pace. The Soviet Union is in the process of deploying for its SS-20 force alone more warheads than are planned for the entire modernization programme agreed to in December 1979. By contrast, deployments in Allied countries will not begin until late in 1983. These Ministers pointed out that it was the need to preserve the Alliance's deterrent capability against the background of existing disparity in LRTNF in favour of the Soviet Union which gave rise to the decision of their governments to modernize LRTNF, and that the continuing Soviet deployments of new SS-20 missiles will further increase that disparity. These Ministers further noted that the modernization programme was deliberately restrained as compared with the qualitative and quantitative growth in Soviet nuclear capabilities. In this regard, they also noted that the withdrawal of 1,000 United States nuclear warheads from Europe as an integral part of the LRTNF modernization and arms control decision has begun; they recalled that the new LRTNF warheads decided upon on 12th December 1979 would be accommodated within the reduced level. These Ministers recalled their statement of 12th December 1979, that arms control, by constraining the Soviet build-up, can enhance Alliance security, modify the scale of NATO's long-range TNF requirements, and promote stability and détente in Europe in consonance with NATO's basic policy of deterrence, defence and détente. Ministers reiterated that the scale of NATO's long-range TNF requirements will be examined in the light of concrete results achieved through negotiations.