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But as a result of protracted and hard negotiations, we hope that
the Conference will reach agreement on specific measures which will
lower barriers in Europe, contribute to growing understanding between
East and West, and increase confidence among all European states
about each other's political and military intentions.
Mutual and Balanced Force Reductions
25. After a NATO initiative, and following exploratory talks during
the first part of 1973, substantive East/West negotiations on Mutual
and Balanced Force Reductions (MBFR) began in Vienna in October 1973.
The objective of the talks, agreed by all Governments concerned, is
"to contribute to a more stable relationship and to the strengthening
of peace and security in Europe". The objective of any agreement
reached will be to provide undiminished security for both Fast and
West at a lower level of forces.
26.
The main concern for the Alliance is that the Warsaw Pact's
conventional ground forces in Central Europe (the area covered by
the negotiations) significantly outnumber those of the West in
manpower and major equipments. In addition, the Warsaw Pact has
considerable geographical advantages which would enable it to
mobilise and deploy large numbers of reinforcing forces in times of
tension. For example, any Soviet troops withdrawn as a result of
an MBFR agreement could return to forward positions swiftly across
only 400 miles of land with a choice of many good reinforcement
routes, Similar forces withdrawn by the United States would have
to cross 3,000 miles of ocean.
27. The Allied negotiators have therefore proposed that the
eventual outcome of the negotiations should be that each side should
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