§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the Secretary-General of NATO has been authorised by other NATO Governments to discuss the future operation of the Treaties governing Intermediate Nuclear Forces in Europe and Conventional Forces in Europe, in the context of the proposed expansion eastwards of NATO.
§ Baroness Chalker of WallaseyThe Treaty on Intermediate Nuclear Forces is a bilateral issue between the United States and Russia. The adaption of the Treaty on Conventional Forces in Europe is being negotiated in Vienna by delegations of the 16 Allies and the other states parties, including Russia. It is natural for this subject to arise also in the NATO Secretary-General's discussion with the Russian Foreign Ministry.
§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the Secretary-General of NATO has been authorised by the United States to discuss with Russia the United States' proposed re-negotiation of the United States'—Russian ABM Treaty and prospects for the future of the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaties, in the context of the proposed expansion of NATO.
§ Baroness Chalker of WallaseyThe treaties referred to are bilateral issues between the United States and Russia. Any negotiation is not, therefore, a matter for the NATO Secretary-General.
§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the Secretary-General of NATO has been authorised by members of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe to discuss its new roles, given the implications for this organisation of the proposed NATO expansion eastwards.
§ Baroness Chalker of WallaseyThe NATO Secretary-General is negotiating about the relationship between NATO and Russia on the basis of a mandate agreed by the Alliance as a whole. This does not extend to matters which are the subject of bilateral, or multilateral treaties, or are proper to other organisations, which can only be dealt with by the contracting parties, or members.