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President Bush Visit to Europe: III. Special NATO Meeting
Special Meeting of the North Atlantic Council (NAC) with the Participation of Heads of State and Government, Brussels, June 13, 2001.
Remarks to NAC by President Bush
"[W]e must change our thinking to meet the demands of a new age. The Cold War is over; the Soviet Union is gone; and so is the nuclear balance of terror. But the world faces new kinds of threats. A growing number of countries, including some of the world's least responsible states, are developing nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons and some already possess the technology for ballistic missiles to deliver them. Others are developing new capabilities to conduct cyber terrorism. We must work together to deter and address all these unconventional threats. To do this we must reassess old assumptions. Today, the 1972 ABM Treaty constrains us from learning what is technologically possible to meet the challenges of this new era. That treaty codified a nuclear balance between two hostile superpowers. Today, Russia is not our enemy, and I believe Russia should be a partner to address these new challenges. So I ask for your understanding and support as we take forward needed research and development on systems that could protect us all from WMD threats. I ask for your trust when I pledge to consult with you at every stage. I ask you to help me persuade Vladimir Putin to think differently and to join us in meeting this deadly new threat. We have a common interest in making a smooth transition from the ABM Treaty to a new security framework for a new century. Instead of basing our security on our ability to destroy millions of civilians, I want to move toward greater non-proliferation and counter-proliferation efforts, decreased reliance on offensive weapons, limited but effective defenses, and greater transparency so responsible nations can have greater levels of confidence. I am firmly committed to missile defense as part of this new framework, Missile defense adds to deterrence in the contemporary world. Russia has recognized a weapons of mass destruction threat to Europe. Cooperative work on a new strategic framework can now be a great task that brings NATO and Russia together."
Source: NATO website, http://www.nato.int.
President Bush Press Conference
"President Bush: 'I'm most pleased with the meeting [today]. I did think we had a great discussion. We reaffirmed the deepest commitments of history's most successful alliance. We discussed new security challenges. We outlined the work ahead as we move towards next year's summit in Prague. It was a good start on a long and important agenda. First, there was broad agreement that we must seek a new approach to deterrence in a world of changing threats, particularly the threat posed by the spread of weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles. I told the allies I'm committed to working closely with them to address this common threat by developing a new framework for nuclear security. This framework must include greater non-proliferation and counter-proliferation efforts, decreased reliance on offensive weapons, and greater transparency so that responsible nations can have greater levels of confidence. I also spoke of my commitment to fielding limited, but effective, missile defenses as soon as possible. I explained that the ABM Treaty embodied the Cold War nuclear balance of terror between rival superpowers. But it no longer makes sense as a foundation for relations that should be based on mutual confidence, openness, and real opportunities for cooperation. All this marks a major shift in thinking about some of the most critical issues of world security. And I was pleased by the open and constructive reactions. I'm encouraged that in today's meeting we saw a new receptivity towards missile defense as part of a new strategic framework to address the changing threats of our world. As one of our close allies noted, the world is changing around us, and NATO's great strength has been a willingness to adapt and move forward. Another noted, NATO is a defensive alliance and, thus, an increasingly important role should be played by defensive systems to protect all our citizens from terrorist blackmail. ...'
Question: 'Your critics at home, sir, suggest that you are prepared to deploy a missile defense system that will not work. First, Mr. President, will you deploy defensive technologies that have not been successfully tested? And, second, you suggested that the ABM Treaty may be a problem sooner rather than later because, as you put it, it prevents us from exploring the future. When does that become a problem, and what do you do about it?'
President Bush: 'First, it's important...for people who are following this issue to understand that we're not asking our allies to sign on to a specific system. We're asking our allies to think differently, and asking Russia to think differently, about the post-Cold War era. The ABM Treaty is a product of the Cold War era. It was a time when the United States and Russia were bitter enemies, and the whole concept of peace was based upon the capacity of each of us, each country, to blow each other up. The new threats are threats based upon uncertainty: the threat that somebody who hates freedom or hates America or hates our allies or hates Europe will try to blow us up. And the fundamental question is, will freedom-loving nations develop a system to enhance freedom to prevent that from happening. And I make the case, yes. But before we can lay out a specific case...it's necessary to set aside the ABM Treaty so we can fully explore all options available to the United States and our allies and friends. The ABM Treaty prevents full exploration of opportunity. And for those who suggest my administration will deploy a system that doesn't work are dead wrong. Of course, we're not going to deploy a system that doesn't work. What good will that do? We'll only deploy a system that does work in order to keep the peace. But we must have the flexibility and opportunity to explore all options. I'm making good progress on this issue here in Europe. There's some nervousness, and I understand that. But it's beginning to be allayed when they hear the logic behind the rationale. ...' ...
Question: 'Mr. President, are you prepared to say here and now, sir, that you will go ahead with a limited missile defense, with or without the agreement of NATO and the European Union? And are you prepared to unilaterally abandon the ABM Treaty, or is it crucial for you, sir, to have Russia's agreement on that point?'
President Bush: 'I have made it clear to our friends and allies that I think it's necessary to set aside the ABM Treaty, but I will do so in close consultation with not only members of NATO and EU countries who are not members of NATO, but, as well, with the Russians. I believe strongly it's necessary to move forward. I think it is necessary to do so in order to make the world more peaceful. I can't imagine a world that continues to be locked into a Cold War mentality when the Cold War is over. Along these lines, I'll also assure our allies and friends that we will move to reduce our offensive weapons to a level commensurate with keeping the peace, but one that is below where our levels are now. I mean, I think it's important to go through these committees and arms control agreements, and those are important stabilizers. But rather than wait for hours of endless negotiations in order to show the world that we're sincere about peace, on the one hand, we will consult on defensive weapons; on the other hand, we'll move by ourselves on offensive weapons. It is the right signal to do, it is the right signal to send that the Cold War must be abandoned forever. And I believe we're making progress. I don't think we're going to have to move, as they say, unilaterally. I think people are coming our way. But people know that I'm intent upon doing what I think is the right thing in order to make the world more peaceful.' ..."
Source: Transcript - President Bush, NATO Secretary General Press Availability, Washington File, June 13.
Comments to press by US National Security Advisor, June 15
"I cannot tell you how heartened I was, particularly by the NAC, the North Atlantic Council meeting, the other day. I have been to a number of NACs in my career, and I have never seen one that was more receptive, where people were more willing to talk openly, where there was a lot of support and, indeed, gratitude for the way in which this administration has taken on the new security framework issue; a lot of talk about the importance of the consultations that we've launched about working through this issue together. And I have to say, a lot of support for the President's contention that we have to move on to something new; that the world has changed. I would say that at least - probably every leader, but I'll not make the claim - let me just say that at least 70 percent of the leaders talked about how much the world had changed; everybody talked about the fact that yes, there were threats. And several of the leaders - and, I might add, several of the leaders of large countries, as well as small countries - noted that we have to think about defense and offensive reductions together as the way to address the new issues. So, yes, we did feel a new receptivity, we do think that this ball is moving and the President is looking forward to continuing it."
Source: Press Briefing by National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice, The White House, Office of the Press Secretary, Warsaw, June 15.
Remarks to NAC by French President Jacques Chirac
"We are also engaged today in a wider debate over the changing strategic balance. This debate began several years ago with the ending of the Cold War, and we have still by no means drawn all the conclusions from it. A more specific debate is now in progress concerning America's anti-missile project. France stands ready to participate actively in that discussion to the full. But it wishes to reiterate its belief in three fundamental principles:
Source: NATO website.
Remarks to NAC by German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder
"More than ten years after the fall of the Wall, we must thoroughly review the instruments and structures developed to ensure security in what used to be a bipolar world. Potential new threats posed by weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery require, in the opinion of Germany, a comprehensive response which must include considerations on possible defensive measures in the same way as, most importantly, the question of how to contain and prevent such threats, with a view to creating the prerequisites for disarmament, arms control and non-proliferation. In this context we are committed not least to strengthening the arms control architecture, and in particular the Missile Technology Control Regime, as well as to creating the conditions for further steps towards nuclear disarmament, on the basis of international agreements. On the issue of a missile defence system Germany welcomes the wide-ranging dialogue with the allies that the US administration under President Bush has initiated. In this connection, however, we still see a host of issues that need to be clarified and therefore we must and indeed will be continuing intensive discussions on this subject within the framework of the Alliance."
Source: NATO website.
Remarks to NAC by Dutch Prime Minister Willem Kok
"Our security agenda includes the need to give adequate answers to severe threats posed by the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery. The primary method[s] to prevent and combat these threats are international agreements on non-proliferation and arms control. These should include the [MTCR] international code of conduct against ballistic missile proliferation, the CTBT and an effective Biological Weapons Verification Protocol. On the response to the new threats, including a discussion on Missile Defense, close and serious consultations among the Allies, but also with Russia and China, are very much needed. Our goal must be and remain to achieve more stability and more security - not less. It is my firm conviction that a unilateral abrogation of the ABM Treaty by the US would not be the right approach. This does not mean of course that it could not be adjusted or replaced by a new treaty, in mutual agreement."
Source: NATO website.
Remarks to the NAC by Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski
"Two issues have recently topped the agenda of the transatlantic debate: ESDP [European Security and Defence Policy] and Missile Defence. Both projects have potential to shake the foundations of the Alliance. It is our role as leaders of NATO to ensure that instead, both become new pillars of transatlantic solidarity, unity, and cohesion. ESDP is a commendable effort, guided by vision, and implemented with courage, that Poland salutes. ... Missile Defence is also a visionary, courageous and logical idea. The Cold War walls have come down. They have set free the spirits of freedom and democracy, but also unleashed the demons of new threats to security. Among those threats are unconventional capabilities of the so-called 'states of concern'. It would be a mistake to ignore them or to let them grow unchecked. These demons do not know any borders. The Alliance must be prepared to deter them, and defend any NATO member from any threat of aggression, coming from any direction and by any means. Both ESDP and the MD are right steps, as long as they are made in the right direction. The direction has been set in the Washington Treaty: the Allies must 'unite their efforts for collective defence and for the preservation of peace and security'. It is only through genuine dialogue, consultation, and participation that we can jointly steer clear of disunity, decoupling, and unilateralism. Only by maintaining our unity can we, together with other nations, conceive and build a new international structure of security and stability. Therefore, Poland...welcomes the US commitment to consulting fully with the Allies on the Missile Defence."
Source: NATO website.
Comments to the Press by UK Prime Minister Tony Blair
"I think the most important thing that came across very strongly, even from those who have reservations about missile defence, is that Europe and America should always stick together. Of course there will be areas where we need intensive consultation and negotiation on issues like missile defence, but the world is a more stable and secure place if Europe and America are together. And Britain's role has got to be always to bring people together. ... [President Bush] was extremely articulate in the way he sets forward American concerns, which we share, about unstable states with the nuclear capability..."
Source: UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office transcript, June 13.
Press Statement by NATO Secretary General Lord Robertson
"We have just concluded our meeting of NATO's Presidents and Prime Ministers - the first meeting at this level since NATO's 50th Anniversary Summit in Washington in 1999. ... [T]oday was an important opportunity to engage directly with President Bush about US thinking on new concepts of deterrence, the strategic environment, and the means of dealing with the challenges facing the NATO of today, and the NATO of tomorrow. This included US thinking about non-conventional and asymmetric threats, missile defence, nuclear force reductions, building the right mix of offensive and defensive forces, countering the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and continuing our transformation of NATO's armed forces. NATO has embarked on a major thinking process about the challenges we face and the best means of addressing them. These consultations will continue and deepen. We did not seek to take any decisions today. We committed ourselves to a continuing process of consultations, before decisions are made, in order to ensure that the interests of all Allies are fully considered and taken into account in forging a common NATO approach."
Source: NATO website.
© 2001 The Acronym Institute.