PRESS RELEASE (94)102                   31 October 1994


  NATO DEFENCE PROCUREMENT CHIEFS TO MEET IN BRUSSELS
           TO ADDRESS NEW ALLIANCE INITIATIVES


Allied National Armaments Directors, senior procurement
executives from the Ministries of Defence, will hold a
special joint meeting with NATO Military Representatives
and the Chief of the French Military Mission on Monday,
7 November 1994 to address the equipment implications of
peacekeeping operations. The discussion will be
chaired by the Deputy Secretary General, Ambassador
Sergio Balanzino.  The Commander-in-Chief, Allied Forces
Southern Europe, Admiral Leighton Smith, will also
attend the meeting, and will give a presentation on
equipment-related "lessons learned" from peacekeeping
operations in the Former Yugoslavia.

The growing involvement of Alliance nations in
peacekeeping operations has highlighted the need for a
co-ordinated approach within the NATO community to the
development of military requirements in this field. 
According to Deputy Secretary General Balanzino, "this
first-ever meeting of National Armaments Directors and
Military Representatives provides a unique opportunity
to focus attention on the new demands of peacekeeping
operations."

On Tuesday, 8th November at 09:45, Secretary General
Willy Claes will open the 55th session of the Conference
of National Armaments Directors (CNAD).  At this
meeting, NATO Armaments Directors are expected to make
recommendations on the way ahead towards an Alliance
Ground Surveillance Capability, and to propose new areas
of co-operation within the framework of Partnership for
Peace.  

At the conclusion of the meeting of National Armaments
Directors on Wednesday, 9 November at 11:00, Assistant
Secretary General for Defence Support and Permanent
Chairman of the CNAD, Mr. Robin Beard, will hold a news
conference at NATO Headquarters.   




MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES

7 November 1994, at 16:00 in Room 16:

Beginning of the meeting of National Armaments Directors

Photo opportunity with NATO Military Representatives and
the Chief of beginning of the the French Military
Mission meeting

8 November 1994, at 09:45 in Room 16:

Opening address by the Secretary General, Mr. Willy
Claes OPEN Coverage (10 minutes) of Secretary General's
speech

9 November 1994, at 11:00 in Joseph Luns Press Theatre:

News Conference by Assistant Secretary General for
Defence  OPEN Coverage Support, Mr. Robin Beard.


ACCREDITATION

Journalists wishing to cover these events will be
allowed onto the NATO premises on presentation of a NATO
accreditation pass or a valid press pass.

ENQUIRIES

General press arrangements         :    
Mr. F. Le Blevennec, tel: 32-2-728 50 38.

Film, video, TV, radio             :   
Mr. G. De Brouwer, tel: 32-2-728 50 49.

Photos                        :    
Mr. A.J. Soares, tel: 32-2-728 50 46.