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ANNEX A to
DP_17778 (0) (Preliminary Draft) (Continued)
there are always likely to be requests which cannot be fulfilled.
It is considered however that while it must remain appropriate to
inform other Government. Departments of the implications of
individual requests, both for the Alliance and for the Services,
routine rehearsal of "penalties" is no longer appropriate in view
of the minimal effect such operations have had on our contribution
to NATO since 1975. Furthermore SACEUR's anticipated reaction
to future requests makes detailed description of damage to the
Alliance superfluous. Finally, while the need to protect our
Servicemen from the separation and turbulence which could be
induced by additional Priority Two Commitments must be represented
to Ministers from time to time, it is considered that their
present degree of exposure to this Ministry of Defence line is
not in the best interests of the Services and quite inappropriate
where British lives may be at risk outside the NATO Area.
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
(To be added at Draft Stage 7
A
39 SECRET