CCMS held its annual meeting in Brussels on 12-13th March. The conference was attended not only by partner states but also by neutral observers. The opening speech was presented by NATO Secretary General Dr. Javier Solana. On a special session, CCMS member states met with the representatives of Russia and discussed the possibilities of broadening dialogues on environmental protection and security.
 The Committee launched two fresh experimental programmes at the meeting. One addresses international issues of the environment and security, the other studies environmental governing systems of the military sector. (Related data and information available on Internet http://ech.ida.org/.)

No. 10.

(29/03/96) - 2.

NATO Enlargement Preserving the Momentum; an Article by Karsten Voigt, President of the North Atlantic Assembly

  In its second issue this year, NATO Review published an article by Karsten Voigt, President of the NAA. The main points of the publication are as follows:
  Though some nations may feel that the launching of pre-admission talks is premature, the momentum of the enlargement process must be preserved in order the maintain the Alliance's future role and importance. Russia must be persuaded in discussions resulting in real partnership that NATO enlargement serves stability, does not constitute a threat. Membership obligations, commitments and costs must be examined carefully, keeping in mind that the present members must not require more of the new members than they require of themselves. While the author acknowledges that there is a conceptual link between EU and NATO enlargements, he does not see their synchronized realization indispensable. He says that serious talks with appropriate countries should be started later this year.
  Voigt admits that there is a certain wavering among NATO members regarding enlargement timetable. He says there is a break on formal level, but this break does not mean a stoppage in the process. During this break, the measures necessary for preparing the talks are to be constructively clarified. Difficult problems concerning the obligations and contributions of the future new members are to be discussed and the ground for formal talks is to be prepared. NAA, as the parliamentary forum of NATO, will concentrate on preserving the momentum of the enlargement during 1996.
  Stationing NATO troops and nuclear weapons in certain countries is no longer a necessity. Therefore such deployment on new members' territories is not necessary either. Anyway, the military contributions of the new members to the defense capabilities of the alliance are to be adjusted to the national limits of capacity and to the lower requirements of the present security situation.
  Finally, the author addresses the issue of democratic control and civil-military relations. He declares that there is no universal NATO formula or model regarding the democratic control over the military. However, there are important elements - such as a clear constitutional and legal framework, civilian control over the Defense Ministry, effective parliamentary control - without which democratic control cannot be managed. Civil expertise is to be strengthened in defense ministries, parliaments, research institutes and the media in order to offset military thinking. Military personnel tend to appropriate defense issues and their view dominates too often. Mutual honour and confidence necessary for effective civil-military relations can only be built on expertise. This - of course - takes time, concludes Karsten Voigt, Chairman of NAA.