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Review of security and defence matters - Role of nuclear weapons - Warsaw Pact superiority in conventional forces - Maintaining credibility of deterrent forces - Entry into force of INF Treaty - Status of US Strategic Modernisation Programme and Strat

  1. The NATO Nuclear Planning Group (NPG) met in Ministerial session in The Hague (Scheveningen), The Netherlands, on 27th and 28th October, 1988. Iceland attended as an observer. We reviewed our work underway to ensure that the Alliance continues to maintain a credible nuclear deterrent posture and discussed a variety of security and defence matters pertaining to NATO's nuclear forces, including the United States strategic modernization programme, current arms control negotiations and the implementation of the INF Treaty. We also received a briefing on the Strategic Defense Initiative.
  2. The Atlantic Alliance remains the basis for the collective security of all its members. NATO's security policy, supported by a credible mix of conventional and nuclear forces, has assured peace in Europe for almost forty years. Nuclear weapons will continue to make an essential contribution to NATO's strategy of deterrence for the foreseeable future. While we are encouraged by signs of change in the policies of the Soviet Union and some of its allies, we have as yet seen no relaxation in their military efforts. In particular, Warsaw Pact superiority in conventional forces, with the capability this provides for surprise attack and large scale offensive action, constitutes a basic source of instability and tension between East and West. Thus, we are determined to continue to take those actions required to preserve NATO's security interests and to maintain the credibility of our deterrent forces, conventional and nuclear, which will be kept up-to-date where necessary. This remains an essential basis for our policy, as reaffirmed by NATO's Heads of State and Government in their declaration of 3rd March, 1988 . This policy of which arms control is an integral part seeks to achieve a peaceful and more stable environment at the lowest level of armament consistent with our security needs. We reaffirmed our willingness to share fairly the risks, burdens and responsibilities as well as the benefits of our common efforts.
  3. We noted with satisfaction that the INF Treaty has entered into force since we last met and that to date its implementation is proceeding smoothly. In this regard we stressed the importance of the rigorous verification measures agreed by the United States and Soviet Union. We reaffirmed that progress in the achievement of NATO's arms control objectives has been made possible by the solidarity of the Alliance and its demonstrated willingness to take those steps necessary to ensure its security.
  4. We received reports on the status of the United States Strategic Modernization Programme and the Strategic Defense Initiative. We expressed appreciation for the efforts of the United States and the United Kingdom to maintain the effectiveness of their strategic deterrent capabilities. We noted that strategic nuclear systems continue to be an essential element of the Alliance's deterrent posture. We expressed our continuing full support for the United States position in the START negotiations aiming at a fifty percent reduction in the strategic nuclear forces of the United States and the Soviet Union, welcomed the progress made and supported timely agreement in these negotiations. We also looked forward to the successful conclusion of the negotiations on the verification protocols to the Peaceful Nuclear Explosions Treaty and the Threshold Test Ban Treaty and to the ratification of these treaties.
  5. Our step-by-step approach, under which decisions will be taken when necessary, will ensure that NATO's nuclear forces continue to provide a credible and effective contribution to the Alliance's strategy of deterrence. In this context, we reviewed a number of nuclear related issues and agreed that for the foreseeable future NATO requires diversified, survivable and operationally flexible nuclear forces in Europe across the entire spectrum of ranges, which take account of the scale and quality of the threat. We also received reports on the progress towards making necessary adjustments in the Alliance nuclear force structure .
  6. We noted with satisfaction the progress being made in our work, reaffirmed our objectives and provided instruction to appropriate NATO bodies for further work. We also expressed continued support for the efforts of member countries to meet requirements stemming from Montebello to maintain a credible nuclear deterrent posture at the minimum necessary level of weapons. While no decisions are required now on the implementation of specific measures, we will continue to review our security needs in the context of the Montebello framework and in accordance with the continuing development of our comprehensive and integrated concept for security and arms control.
  7. We agreed to hold our next meeting at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium in the Spring of 1989.
  8. Greece expressed its views in a statement included in the minutes.