Organization of the treaty of the North Atlantic

History

The treaty of the North Atlantic or genesis of NATO

NATO seems to be initially born of an incapacity of UNO to ensure the world peace, blocked by the multiple Soviet vetoes. To carry out the alliance which would allow the peace, the Westerners which fears another veto, find a parade by having recourse to article 51 of the Charte of the United Nations like specifies it art 5. within the framework of the collective self-defense. An association of nations does not need the authorization of the Safety advice to be born.

Europeans want to ensure their safety, they fear a new raising of the Germany and, in the East the threat Communiste is done increasingly strong, especially after the departure of the majority of the américano-Canadian troops which stationed in Europe since the end of the Second world war. The European allies wish the assistance of the United States to ensure to them defense effectively. But the United States wants initially that Europeans carry out themselves their defense, leaves to help them thereafter, fearing that an alliance breaks the movement of unification of Europe. It is seen besides that in the treaty, this will that Europe deals with its defense itself is still present, and Article 3 makes it possible to the Americans to help with the military development of Europe so that this one develops its own defensive system (kind of military Marshall plan). But the international situation develops after the Coup of Prague of the March 12th 1948. Thus, on March 17th 1948 is concluded military alliance from the Traité of Brussels which precedes future Atlantic Alliance.

After the Blockade of Berlin, the calls of Europeans (especially French) are done increasingly insistent. A secret agreement is carried out between the Anglo-Saxons to fix the bases of Atlantic Alliance, it is the “Pentagon paper”. A last stage remains nevertheless to be crossed: any military alliance of the United States in times of peace is prohibited by their constitution. The senator Vandenberg makes vote for resolution 239 to establish alliance on June 11th 1948. Alliance becomes constitutional, in the condition of being in conformity with the Charte of the United Nations. On request of the American senate, one registers in the treaty (Article 5), that the measures to be taken in the event of aggression on one of the members are left Souverainement with the choice of each country signatories. The senate wanted to preserve the choice of the American Congrès to make or not the war.

Talks with Washington, from July 6th to September 9th 1948 define the bases of the treaty. This military pact was thus born from an agreement signed the April 4th 1949 with Washington, D.C; it is about the Traité of the North Atlantic whose article 5 on solidarity between its members in the event of aggression is the paramount point.

This treaty was then ratified by the the United States, the Canada, the Belgium, the Denmark, the France, the Netherlands, the Iceland, the Italy, the Luxembourg, the Norway, the the United Kingdom and the Portugal, which at that time constituted part of the block of the west.

Immediate consequences

With this treaty, the Americans break with their tradition of insulation and enter a permanent alliance with the continent of Europe. Europeans did everything to lead the Americans to take part in their defense and, even if the treaty leaves them free in theory, in practice, in the event of attack of one of the members, the United States would not have an other solution to only enter in war.

NATO wants a peace active, it encourages the co-operation of its members in all the fields, economic, social, cultural and not only military (Article 2). According to Mr. the St. Lawrence, “the goal of North-Atlantic alliance would not be simply negative; it would create a dynamic counter-current being opposed to the Communisme”. One finds there, as of the preamble, of the ideas of freedom, democracy and good being.

The Soviets oppose the treaty, showing it to be “an instrument of the American Impérialisme”. The treaty rests indeed on the principles which the Americans tried to impose after the war. Principle of Free trade economic resulting from the Conference of Bretton Woods (Article 2 on economic collaboration).

The treaty finally will be the element which really will weld the Western block behind the United States, installing a certain American hegemony little by little. On request of the Americans, NATO does not aim an adversary in particular. The purpose of it is not to cause the Soviets.

In accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, and in particular in article 51, the countries of alliance rely on the decision of the Safety advice (Article 5 and 7) at the time of any payment of disagreement. The treaty reaffirms its subordination to UNO and the big role of this one in the international relations (Article 1st).

Evolution

Located at London then with Paris starting from 1952, the seat of Alliance occupies initially of the temporary buildings to the Palais of Chaillot. The seat will be then transferred Dauphine Porte with the inauguration from the Palais of NATO (current Université Paris-Dauphine) in 1959 but will leave the French capital for Brussels in December 1966 after the Général de Gaulle had announced the withdrawal of the France military command integrated into March of the same year.

Canada adhered to the Organization of the Treaty of the North Atlantic (NATO) on April 4th 1949.

Alliance is joined by the Greece and the Turkey (1952), the West Germany (1955), and the Spain (1982).

The first member integrated into the organization after the Cold war was the ex- GDR, at the time of the reunification of Germany on October 3rd, 1990. To make sure the Russian agreement at a entry of Germany reunified in NATO, it was decided that no foreign troop and no nuclear weapon would be stationed in the east, and also that NATO would never extend again to the east.

In 1999, turning back on the promises held at the time of the German reunification, NATO integrates the Hungary, the Poland and the Czech Republic. The same year, NATO engages its forces in its first great military operation, taking part in the Guerre of Kosovo by bombarding the Serbia-and-Montenegro during 11 weeks (from March 24th to June 10th 1999).

The March 29th 2004, seven new countries (the Estonia, the Latvia, the Lithuania, the Bulgaria, the Romania, the Slovakia and the Slovenia) entered the organization, while changing to 26 the number of members. Continuations with the revolutions of color occurred in Georgia (Revolution of the pinks) then in Ukraine (Orange revolution), these countries announced their will to adhere to alliance, also joined in this by the Moldavie. However, a certain opposition towards NATO remains within the populations concerned (demonstrations anti-NATO in the Crimea, for example).

Installation of the North-American troops in Europe

The European Member States provided grounds to establish in a permanent way of the American and Canadian troops on the theater-even of the operations. NATO financed the military infrastructures (Caserne S, naval Air bases and ). The two countries (the USA and Canada) for their part financed the zones " vies" (camp-sites being able to accommodate sporting mobilhomes, infrastructures, stores, etc).

Many French cities will see arriving of the GI' S. That will support their economic revival amplified by the Marshall plan. Many French employees will be recruited at the local level.

Terrestrial infrastructures

August 1st

Air infrastructures

The United States Air Forces in Europe which had its district-general with Wiesbaden, in Germany since 1945, had in the Années 1950, four Escadre S deployed in the United Kingdom, three in West Germany and six in France, is: 18000 people and 800 planes of all types.

The United States, committed massively in the Guerre of Korea since June 1950 could not achieve their installation in Europe as envisaged. Consequently, Canada had to mitigate this problem. It was thus decided to create a powerful Canadian air force, reserved in Europe, which consisted of four squadrons of three squadrons (equipped with new North American F 86 “Saber”) each one. The 1 (F) Wing (squadron) was established with Marville, the 2 (F) with Grostenquin (both in France), the 3 (F) in Zweibrücken and the 4 (F) in Baden-Söllingen (both in West Germany).

Maritime infrastructures

August 1st

Operations of Alliance

Adriatic (1992-1996): NATO begins in an operation of baptized maritime surveyance Sharp Guard , intended to control the embargo on the weapons of UNO imposed on the socialist Federal republic of Yugoslavia.
Bosnia-Herzégovine (1995-2004): Bombardment campaign to cease the conflict then 1st maintenance mission of peace. IFOR then SFOR (Force of stabilization) of NATO passed the relay to EUFOR of the European Union the December 2nd 2004.
Albania (April-August 1999): : 7000 soldiers are deployed for an humanitarian operation to come to Kosovan assistance of the refugees S come to Albania after the beginning from the war on their territory.
Kosovo (1999-…) : After an air campaign during the War of Kosovo, in June 1999, the multinational force of peace of NATO in Kosovo (KFOR) is spread with: 43000 men. At December 7th, 2004, it represents: 17733 people.
Macedonia (2001-2003): Gripping force of peace. The European Union takes again the relay on March 31st 2003.
Activates Endeavor (2001-…) : Maritime operation of prohibition following the Attacks of September 11th, 2001. The permanent naval force of the Mediterranean (Stanavformed) is deployed to take part in the fight anti-terrorism. : 1200 soldiers concerned.
Afghanistan (2003-…) : August 11th, 2003, NATO takes the command of the International force of assistance and safety (TRUSTED or ISAF), to which 37 countries contribute; it gets busy to extend the authority of the central capacity and to facilitate the rebuilding of the country. A force of: 8125 men at December 7th, 2004 (effective being able to go to: 20000 men in 2006).
Iraq (2003-…) : Bring a logistical support for multinational division and takes part in the formation of the Iraqi security forces with 300 personnel of which instructors on the spot and in the schools of NATO.

In June 2006, the Ministers for the Defense of NATO, at this meeting in Brussels, decided to double manpower of ISAF, the International force of assistance to safety, deployed in Afghanistan, strong currently of: 9000 men.

Objectives posted

The committee of the plans of defense with decided in 2006 that NATO was to prepare to carry out mobilizing face two operations of great scale: 60000 men each one and six average operations (: 30000 men).

On the whole, until: 300000 trained and prepared men will have to thus be available to intervene in any area of the world to maintain peace.

Moreover, the allies were committed devoting to their defense at least 2% of their GDP to reach that point, a figure that only seven of the 26 combined, whose United States, France, the United Kingdom and Turkey, manages to reach.

Member States

Founding members (12) (1949):

Belgium
Canada
Denmark
the United States
France
Iceland
Italy
Luxembourg
Norway
Netherlands
Portugal
the United Kingdom

States which joined NATO thereafter (14):

Greece (1952)
Turkey (1952)
West Germany (FRG) (1955)
Spain (1982)
(1999)
Poland (1999)
Hungary (1999)
Bulgaria (2004)
Estonia (2004)
Latvia (2004)
Lithuania (2004)
Romania (2004)
Slovakia (2004)
(2004)

France, founding member of NATO, withdrew themselves from the integrated military structure and its direction in 1966 but again have a representative at the military committee since 1996. The Iceland is the only member of NATO which does not have its own military force (defense is ensured by the Defense force Icelander (IDF) which is held by the United States and is based with Keflavik). It was accepted without obligation to establish one of them, its contribution to Alliance being done in other forms (military bases and financial contributions essentially).

Partnership for Peace (20):

NATO signed many cooperation agreements with the majority of the European States non-member and all the countries of CEI. They are bilateral agreements and extremely flexible: each State wishing to take part in the partnership decides, in collaboration with the Member States of the level of collaboration which it wishes to undertake with NATO. The adherent countries with the PPP are:

Albania
Arménie
Azerbaïdjan
Austria
Croatia
Finland
Ireland
Kazakhstan
Kyrgyzstan
Moldavie
Swiss Russia
Sweden
Ukraine
Tadjikistan

The only European States which do not form part of the PPP, in addition to the microphone-States (Andorre, Liechtenstein, Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican), are Cyprus and Malta, as well as the Bosnia-Herzégovine and the Serbia. These two last, candidates, will be allowed to take part in it only when they fully cooperate with the International penal court of $the Hague. The political ex-leader and the former military chief Serb of Bosnia (Radovan Karadžić and Ratko Mladić) in particular, are indeed always in escape.

Action plan for adhesion

The applicant countries with NATO take part in this program to help them in their future formal adhesion. These States indeed need to reform in-depth their armed force.

Present countries: the countries having adhered in June 2004 (see above) belonged to this program as well as the following countries:

Albania
Croatia

Structures of command

Political command

The Conseil of the North Atlantic is the principal decision-making body. Composed permanent representatives of the Member States (having the rank of ambassadors), it meets at least once per week under the presidency of the General secretary of NATO. It makes its decisions unanimously. The permanent representatives act on instructions of their country, and return account to the national authorities of the positions of the other governments. Committees, created by the Council, are responsible for particular fields:

Committee of the Plans of Defense: planning of collective defense;
Group of the nuclear plans: political questions related to the nuclear forces;
Military committee: recommend to the political authorities NATO measurements considered to be necessary to common defense and establishes directives on the military questions.

The International Secretariat and the International Military Staff assist in their the Council and to the committees.

Military command

Previously, the structure of command military rested on a geographical division: for Europe (command combined for Europe), for the Atlantic (command combined for the Atlantic), 13 general headquarters was subordinated to these commands.

Since 2003, all the operational function is concentrated in only one commandemement: the allied Command operations (ACO), more commonly called Shape (Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers in Europe) based with Mons, in Belgium and it has nothing any more but 6 general headquarters there.

It directs 3 staffs interarmées based to Brunssum (Netherlands), to Oeiras in the suburbs of Lisbon (Portugal) and to Naples (Italy).

And 6 staffs of component (air, ground, sea):

Staff air: Izmir (Turkey), Ramstein (Germany)
Staff ground: Heidelberg (Germany), Madrid (Spain)
Staff sea: Northwood (the United Kingdom), Naples (Italy)

As for the Command combined with the transformation based with Norfolk (Virginia, the United States), it directs the military efforts aiming at adapting Alliance to an environment in fast change.

General secretaries of NATO

Hastings Lionel Ismay (the United Kingdom): April 4th 1952 with the May 16th 1957
Paul-Henri Spaak (Belgium): May 16th 1957 with the April 21st 1961
Dirk Stikker (Netherlands): April 21st 1961 with the 1964
Manlio Brosio (Italy): 1964 at October 1st 1971
Joseph Luns (Netherlands): of October 1st 1971 with the June 25th 1984
Peter Carington (the United Kingdom): June 25th 1984 at July 1st 1988
Manfred Wörner (Germany): of July 1st 1988 with the August 13rd 1994
Willy Claes (Belgium): October 17th 1994 with the October 20th 1995
Javier Solana (Spain): December 5th 1995 with the October 6th 1999
George Robertson (the United Kingdom): October 14th 1999 with the 2004
Jaap de Hoop Scheffer (Netherlands): since the 2004

(Sergio Balanzino (Italy) will be general secretary making function for 2 months, with died of Manfred Wörner in August 1994)

Budget

Its global budget is of 1,735 billion Euro S for 2005.

It has 3 budgets: a civilian (175,9 d'€ million) and two soldiers, one for operation (919,7 d'€ million), the other for the investment with the service of safety (NSIP) (approximately 640 d'€ million).

The 5 principal contributors are, in the decreasing order of their financial participation (percentage in 2004):

E. - U. : 29,16%
Germany: 19,95%
the United Kingdom: 11,59%
Italy: 7,33%
France: 6,40% (110 d'€ million)

Source NATO

See too

Organization of the treaty of the Southeast Asia (OTASE)
Cooperation organization of Shanghai (OCS)
Organization of the Treaty of collective security (OTSC)
parliamentary Parliament of NATO
Pact of Baghdad
ANZUS
Code NATO
List of international alliances of the Cold war
Raymond Hénault
Yves Sillard
European Identity of Safety and Defense (IEDS)
the Council NATO-Russia

External bonds

Seen satellite of the head office of NATO in Brussels on WikiMapia
Official site
parliamentary Parliament of NATO
NATO C3, Consultation, Command and Agency Control, acquisition of capacities C4ISR
Site of history compared OTAN/Pacte de Varsorvie
NATO after the Cold war, file of French Documentation

Inspection committee NATO (critical site).
Human Rights Watch How NATO violated the international humanitarian right in the Guerre of Kosovo
the Evolution of ISDE of NATO: presentation of the concept foreign Eurocorps-Legion with the European Parliament in June 2003

Note

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