#10 - JRL 7061
Date: Wed, 12 Feb 2003
From: Kenneth Weisbrode <weisbrod@fas.harvard.edu>
Subject: untimely thought (sic)
Also sorry to steal Peter Lavelle's title, but here is a thought from left field -- I'd like to toss it out for reactions from listmembers.
When Ernest Bevin initially proposed a North Atlantic alliance to Gen. Marshall, he had in mind a series of concentric circles. Why not return to that early vision? NATO should renounce its commitment in the 1990s to serve as the military force of last resort for intra-European conflicts. Rather, it should stick to the 'outer circle'--and admit Russia as a member. Meanwhile, France, Germany, the Benelux states and the 'neutrals' should establish their own security organization with primary responsibility for the 'inner circle.' Their status and responsibilities with regard to conflicts in the 'outer circle' would be merely consultative. I realize the idea of a two-tiered NATO has been floated off and on since the self-destruction of the EDC but perhaps it's finally time to make it work.
If cultivating 'notre jardin' is so important, then the nature of alliances should reflect it, no?
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