United States Department of State Washington D C 20520 October 25 1990 v MEMORANDUM sens-seems- #57 TO NSC Mr Gompert FROM State EUR James F Dobbins Actigg i 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 Is the U S prepared to accept a European caucus within Gre ter European security consultation and possibly cooperatio 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 amusement 0 13526 DECL OADR FLT 181qu etiuaptsoid A f Is the U28 prepared to promote or evenapropose European defense cooperation in or alongside 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 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 Adoomoqcl 1121qu enuapisald 3113                     National Security Archive    Suite 701  Gelman Library  The George Washington University    2130 H Street  NW  Washington  D C  20037    Phone  202 994‐7000  Fax  202 994‐7005  nsarchiv@gwu edu