apparent temptation not to put enough effort into the Alliance itself.
Here again is an instance of shared responsibility which Hon Gentlemen
opposite seem all too anxious to avoid.
40. The subject of European defence and security is once again in fashion.
But it is also much more important than that. The questions being asked
need serious examination. Does NATO and the European contribution to it
need rethinking; what, if anything, should the Europeans be doing in
addition to their existing effort; and is NATO strategy, as at present
conceived, sensible and credible?
41. We are very ready to look at the case for moving towards a greater
emphasis on conventional weapons. And at ways in which Europeans might
take more of the strain in Europe if a greater US effort to protect Western
vital interests is required elsewhere. It may help if the Europeans work
more closely together on security issues. Here too we are very ready to
look at the possibilities for action. But we recognise also that these
propositions present difficulties of various kinds including very real
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