James F. Dobbins, State Department European Bureau, Memorandum to National Security Council: NATO Strategy Review Paper for October 29 Discussion.
National Security Archive
This concise memorandum comes from the State Department’s European Bureau as a cover note for briefing papers for a scheduled October 29, 1990 meeting on the issues of NATO expansion and European defense cooperation with NATO. Most important is the document’s summary of the internal debate within th
Source: James F. Dobbins, State Department European Bureau, Memorandum to National Security Council: NATO Strategy Review Paper for October 29 Discussion. Date: Oct 25, 1990 Archive: George H. W. Bush Presidential Library: NSC Philip Zelikow Files, Box CF01468, Folder “File 148 NATO Strategy Review No. 1 [3]” [16] Collection: NATO Expansion: What Gorbachev Heard Dec 12, 2017
United States Department of State Washington, D.C. 20520 October 25, 1990
[148]
MEMORANDUM
CONFIDENTIAL
TO: NSC - Mr. Gompert
FROM: State/EUR - James F. Dobbins, Acting [initials]
SUBJECT: NATO Strategy Review Paper for October 29 Discussion
Attached is the latest draft of our paper on enhancing NATO's political role, which has been vetted interagency and discussed most recently at Wednesday's meeting. There appeared to be agreement on its conclusions. The body of the paper generally reflects interagency views but closure has not been reached on two topics, on which discussion/decision at the DC level is now required.
Expansion of NATO Membership
The first such topic is the expansion of NATO membership, specifically whether or not NATO should accept East European members. While we must not present NATO as a closed club, there is clearly no support for such membership now. The question is how to present the possibility. OSD wishes to leave the door ajar with caveats such as no discussion at this time. State prefers simply to note that discussion of expanding membership is not on the agenda and need not be addressed in the NATO strategy review.
European Pillar
The second topic is the "European pillar," with respect to which three issues remain open:
o Is the U.S. prepared to accept a European caucus within NATO? Greater European security consultation and possibly cooperation appear inevitable. Accepting a caucus within NATO would at least keep these consultations within the Alliance. On the other hand, we would have to work to ensure that the caucus did not erode the strategic unity of the Alliance, but instead strengthened Atlanticism and ensured the primacy of NATO.
Bush Presidential Library Photocopy
CONFIDENTIAL
DECL: OADR
DECLASSIFIED PER E.O. 13526 2000-0233-F15 3L 5/16/11
~~CONFIDENTIAL~~
- 2 -
o Is the U.S. prepared to promote or even propose European
defense cooperation in or alongside NATO? Although not as
likely to come about as soon as a European caucus, we
should consider our policy towards such cooperation.
Ambassador Taft's recent cable on the WEU is indicative of
European interest in this issue, but other soundings
suggest that the issue may be less ripe for decision than
his conversations indicate.
o Is the U.S. prepared to support changes in the command
structure of NATO forces? As the U.S. draws down its
forces in Europe, the European role will inevitably
increase. NATO strategy and force structure are now under
review. If and when actual changes in the burden and role
of European forces are implemented, appropriate changes in
the command structure would seem appropriate. We need to
consider whether to signal now our readiness to accept
these changes -- once conditions are right -- in order to
direct and shape the changes as they come about.
Attachment:
Enhancing NATO's Political Role in Support of Security
SERPMS 994
~~CONFIDENTIAL~~
Bush Presidential Library Photocopy
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