16 November 2009 - EUROPEAN NATO COUNTRIES SHOULD BE MORE UNITED, SAYS GERMAN GENERAL

In a warmly received presentation, frequently interrupted by applause from the delegates representing all NATO allies and around 50 partner countries, General Naumann stressed the importance of a coherent NATO policy.

The Americans cannot automatically be counted on for support by Europe in the way that was possible during the Cold War, he stressed.  “This ‘Pax Americana’ in Europe broke down after the US began its War on Terror” in September 2001, said the General, and Europeans need to work to repair this, notwithstanding the change of administration.  In particular, “European reluctance to act in solidarity with the US […] portray too often the Europeans as selfish and inward-looking partners on whom the US cannot really rely” he said.  

Europe should improve its solidarity with the US not only for the effort in Afghanistan but also to preserve stability closer to home, said General Naumann.  Although Russia may be militarily weakened, and economically dependent on European trade, American support is still necessary to ensure a secure Europe, according to the German general. 

However, he recognised that “one of the abiding problems of European support” is maintaining close transatlantic ties without alienating Russia.  NATO’s rapprochement with several ex-Soviet states is seen as expansionist by the Russians said the General, although he felt that this is because “Moscow thinking […] does not understand” US strategy or NATO policy in this area. 

“If Europe and the US acted in unison and avoided taking unilateral decisions which Russia subjectively perceives as humiliating and as a deadly blow to its strategic interests then there might be a chance for a new beginning in NATO/Russia relations” he said.

He also called for the US and Russia to take the lead in the decommissioning of global nuclear weapons.  Without a US-Russian initiative there is “not the slightest chance of reducing” the world’s stockpiles he said, as these countries have between them 90% of global nuclear weapons. 

Closing the discussion, General Naumann also described how, as chairman of NATO’s military committee, he has shaken hands with the then Russian chief of staff, knowing that both had lost their fathers in the Second World War.  “Our common conviction was, it must never happen again.  And that is what drives me, I’m trying to find ways how we can accommodate legitimate Russian security interests, while at the same time… pursue politics that are not directed against [Russia ]”

The NATO Parliamentary Assembly, which brings together some 350 delegates from 28 NATO member states and other partner countries, is currently holding its Annual Session in Edinburgh, Scotland.