be undertaken for discussions on such mutual force reductions
with the Soviet Union and other countries of Eastern Europe.
The Council invited them to join in this search for progress
towards peace.
The events of August 1968 caused the Allied
Governments to modify the direction of their effort in three
respects. The massive demonstration of the Soviet Union's will
and ability to use force in pursuit of its political aims obliged
them to review and improve the state of the defences of the West.
The possibility of fruitful discussions on mutual force
reductions was clearly put off into a more distant future,
although the Alliance continues to prepare for this. The
development of Ministerial and other contacts with the countries
which had taken part in the aggression in Czechoslovakia received
a set-back in response to the strong feelings generated by this
action in the West. At the same time the Allies reaffirmed
their belief in the solidarity of the Alliance as their best
guarantee against any danger which might threaten them.
36. Now the 20th Anniversary of the signature of the North
Atlantic Treaty provides the occasion not only for looking back
at the dangers and threats which have been avoided, but to
resume the forward progress of the Alliance and to describe its
prospects of fruitful activity. We cannot do better than follow
the twin objectives of effective deterrence against attack and
the search for better relations and the solution of outstanding
problems.
37. We have noted with deep interest and satisfaction the
statements made by President Nixon during his visit to NATO to
the effect that he foresaw the prospect of entering into an
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