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ANNEX A to
DF 17/78(C)(Preliminary D (Continued)
..
57. While some Priority Two Commitments offer RAF Units
the opportunity to carry out essentially the same task as they
would in war, albeit in different circumstances and
surroundings, others result in a progressive
erosion of the operational status of the unit and personnel
concerned and therefore their capability for their Priority One
(NATO) task. In the worst instances, where the units concerned
are subject to TACEVAL by international teams, there is a
significant risk that our credibility in NATO will be eroded
because units can no longer maintain their hitherto high ratings.
NATO Reactions
58.
The need to employ NATO forces for additional Priority Two
Commitments, even if these are encountered on the scale
suggested earlier in this paper, is considered unlikely to change
the prevailing attitude within NATO's Military Structure
(See para 38). Political reactions, particularly from those
smaller countries to whom the UK has a reinforcement commitment,
are more difficult to forecast.
involve the UK Delegation to NATO as early as possible in the
planning process for each addtiional commitment, in order that
potential political damage be minimised by timely briefing
It would he important to
and reassurance by the UK Delegate.
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