TNAG-0476-FCO40-541-Strength-of-garrison-in-Hong-Kong-1974 — Page 32

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their

with t Americans are of particular relevance because alliance

strategy depends ultimately on the US nuclear deterrent;

co-operation on the economic front will be equally important in the

coming years. In discussing our proposed defence cuts with the

Americans we shall have to pay attention to their perception of

priorities in our efforts. They rank first our contribution to Nato

but greatly value anything we can do outside the Nato area.

44. Scarcely less important is the need for co-operation with our

European allies especially the FRG, for both political and military

Given time and the necessary political will Europe might

reasons.

be able to get better value for its defence expenditure by harmonising

R & D and procurement plans, by following these through under common

logistic backing, and by specialising. This could provide the basis

for a new defence structure should Western Europe be forced to build

one in the event of a major US disengagement.

45. The political cohesion of the Alliance no less than its defence

strategy could be endangered by actions that appeared to strike at

the root of the common perception of a political and security partner-

ship and efforts against a common threat. The Americans are under

strong domestic pressure to reduce their forces in Europe and the

Europeans must accordingly be seen to be pulling their weight if the

credibility of the US guarantee to Europe's defence, which is no less

important to European political self-confidence than to the Alliance's

military strategy, is to be maintained. Since the defection of the

French from the NATO integrated military structure, it has fallen to

us and the Germans to maintain an effective European contribution

through national efforts and European discussion, notably in the

Eurogroup. The leading role which we have played means that a major

change in British policy towards NATO would have disproportionately

severe political consequences in both Europe and the United States.

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