§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the attitude of neutral governments, members of CSCE, to the role of NATO in security matters in Europe now that the Cold War that gave birth to it is over.
§ Baroness Chalker of WallaseyAll European countries, including those who are neutral, are working well in CSCE with members of NATO. They recognise the extent to which the North Atlantic Alliance has adapted, and are contributing to efforts to maintain peace and stability throughout Europe.
Many of the neutral European states have also expressed an interest in the NATO proposal for "Partnerships for Peace", which envisages extending military co-operation, in particular in peacekeeping, to central and eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union, and to other European nations as decided by NATO.
§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether it is intended that the "Partnerships for Peace" being offered by NATO under US auspices to central and east European governments should lead to full membership of NATO, including full "security guarantees".
§ Baroness Chalker of WallaseyThe US proposal for "Partnerships for Peace" envisages a programme of co-operation on a broad range of multilateral activities going beyond dialogue and co-operation to forge a real partnership. Countries participating actively in such a partnership will be able to demonstrate their suitability for NATO membership in the future. But participation in "Partnerships for Peace" is not a guarantee of eventual NATO membership.
§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
122WAWhether the security guarantees to be included in "Partnerships for Peace" agreements with central and eastern European governments go further than the "security guarantees" associated with the Non-Proliferation Treaty.
§ Baroness Chalker of WallaseyThe details of the proposed "Partnerships for Peace" are still being discussed, but they will not include security assurances of the type made by the United Kingdom and which refer to the Non-Proliferation Treaty.
§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the Russian Government and the Russian military authorities are content that the "Partnership for Peace" being offered by NATO under US auspices to Central and East European governments should lead to full membership of NATO, including full "security guarantees", and if not what steps the NATO allies intend to take to avert a disagreement with the Russians.
§ Baroness Chalker of WallaseyThe US proposal for a "Partnership for Peace" with non-NATO countries envisages a programme of co-operation in a range of activities and an intensified relationship between NATO and Partners. Although the Partnership will enable Partners to demonstrate their suitability, in political and military terms, to join the Alliance, participation in it will not automatically lead to membership of NATO. The Russian Government for its part has welcomed Partnership for Peace.
§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they continue to support the United States' proposals for "Partnership for Peace" between NATO and individual countries of the former Soviet Union and Warsaw Pact, and whether they believe the governments of such countries should be satisfied with bilateral arrangements that provide no security guarantees.
§ Baroness Chalker of WallaseyThere is widespread support for "Partnership for Peace" among allies and potential Partners. The ministerial meetings of the North Atlantic Council and of the North Atlantic Co-operation Council in Brussels on 2–3 December both welcomed the proposals as a positive initiative to meet the challenges of the new security environment in Europe. We share that assessment and believe the proposal should be endorsed at the NATO Summit next month.
§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether NATO has yet been briefed by the Russian military authorities on the new Russian Military Doctrine, and if so whether they will make a statement on it, particularly as regards central and eastern Europe and the independent states formerly members of the Soviet Union.
§ Baroness Chalker of WallaseyRussian Deputy Defence Minister Gromov briefed the Chairman of NATO's Military Committee in the margins of the 3rd 123WA December North Atlantic Co-operation Council. We expect the Russians to brief the North Atlantic Council in the near future.