AP 233PC (97) 10Original: English

MINUTES

of the meeting of the Political CommitteeParliament Palace - Bucharest - Romania

Friday 10 and Saturday 11 October 1997

International Secretariat November 1997

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LIST OF PARTICIPANTS

Chairman Mr. Petersen (Norway)

Vice-Chairman Mr. Viggers (United Kingdom)

General Rapporteur Mr. van Traa (Netherlands)

Co-Rapporteurs of the Sub-Committee Mrs. Just (Denmark)on NATO Enlargement and the New Mr. Goss (United States)Democracies

Associate Rapporteur of the Mr. Pascu (Romania)Sub-Committee on NATO Enlargementand the New Democracies

Associate Rapporteur of the Mr. Pastusiak (Poland)Sub-Committee on Transatlantic and European Relations

President of the Assembly Sen. Roth (United States)

Secretary general Mr. Lunn (United Kingdom)

Members Mr. Anderson (United Kingdom)Mr. Arnason (Iceland)Mr. di Bartolomeo (Luxembourg)Ms. Beaumier (Canada)Mr. Bereuter (United States)Mr. Bierling (Germany)Mr. Bilirakis (United States)Mr. Blank (Germany)Mr. Bock (Belgium)Mr. Bökel (Germany)Mr. Boucheron (France)Mr. Boulaud (France)Mr. Bouvard (France)Mrs. Carrilho (Portugal)Mr. Cox (United States)Mr. Delcroix (Belgium)Mr. Ehlers (United States)Mr. Gillmor (United States)Mr. Gonzalez (Spain)Mr. Graf von Einsiedel (Germany)Mr. Greisch (Luxembourg)Mr. Harmegnies (Belgium)Mr. Hastert (United States)Mr. Hefley (United States)Mr. Hirsch Ballin (Netherlands)

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Sir Geoffrey Johnson Smith(United Kingdom)

Mr. Kansy (Germany)Mr. Karamollaoglu (Turkey)Mr. Lantos (United States)Mr. Loreto (Italy)Mr. Mateman (Netherlands)Mr. Meckel (Germany)Mr. Milian (Spain)Mr. Moors (Belgium)Mr. Opel (Germany)Mr. Öymen (Turkey)Mr. Pacheco Pereira (Portugal)Mr. Petralias (Greece)Mr. Pickett (United States)Mr. Regula (United States)Mr. Ruberti (Italy)Mr. Robinson (Canada)Mr. Sigmundsson (Iceland)Mr. Skaug (Norway)Mr. Solomon (United States)Mr. Spiliotopoulos (Greece)Mr. Varela (Spain)Mr. Verivakis (Greece)Mr. Voigt (Germany)Mr. Walter (Germany)Mr. van Waning (Netherlands)Mr. Weisglas (Netherlands)Mr. Wood (Canada)Mrs. Zapf (Germany)

Associate Delegates Mr. Azubalis (Lithuania)Mr. Berzins (Latvia)Mr. Bicheldey (Russian Federation)Mr. Dudenas (Lithuania)Mr. Guenov (Bulgaria)Mr. Holevitch (Bulgaria)Mr. Junti (Estonia)Mr. Lenic (Slovenia)Mr. Lorents (Estonia)Mr. Malici (the former Yugoslav Republic

of Macedonia)Mr. Ozerov (Russian Federation)Mr. Papp (Hungary)Mr. Payne (Czech Republic)Mr. Racskay (Hungary)Mr. Ratiu (Romania)Mr. Ruzin (the former Yugoslav Republic of

Macedonia)Mr. Stefanov (Bulgaria)Mr. Tamm (Estonia)

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Mr. Tanase (Moldova)Mr. Viucheisky (Russian Federation)Mr. Wachsler (Hungary)Mr. Zela (Albanie)Mr. Zaiets (Ukraine)

Parliamentary Observers Mrs. Aelvoet (European Parliament)Mr. Kleiner (Israel)Mr. Moser (Austria)Mr. Nagano (Japan)Mr. Oostlander (European Parliament)Mr. Taha (Egypt)

Guest Parliamentary Observers Mr. Aaltonen (Finland)Mr. Akhvlediani (Georgia)Mr. Lennmarker (Sweden)Mr. Rochat (Switzerland)

Speakers Amb. Eide, Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo

Mr. Kirby, Deputy Head, Partnership and Co-operation Section, NATO Political Affairs Division

Mr. Munter, Assistant to the Special Adviser to the President of the United States and Secretary of State for NATO Enlargement Ratification

Mrs. Zoe Petre, Presidential Adviser on International Affairs, Romania

Special Rapporteur on the Study on Mr. Sloan (United States)NATO’s role in the 21st Century

Committee Secretary Mr. Priestley (United Kingdom)

International Secretariat Mr. Borawski, Director of the CommitteeMiss Voss, Assistant to the DirectorMiss Veliko, Research Assistant

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The meeting opened at 10.20 a.m. on Friday 10 October with Mr. Jan Petersen (Norway) in the Chair.

1. Welcoming remarks by the Chairman

The Chairman thanked the Romanian delegation for hosting the 1997 Autumn Session.

He informed the Committee of the reasons for late changes to the draft Agenda and made various procedural announcements.

He thanked Mr. Marcus (F) and Mrs. Bakopanos (CDN) for their service to the Committee.

2. Adoption of the draft Agenda [AP 225 PC (97) 6 rev. 1]

The draft Agenda was amended, by moving item 8 (Consideration of draft Reports from the Mediterranean Special Group) to between items 4 and 5.

The draft Agenda [AP 225 PC (97) 6 rev. 1], as amended, was adopted.

3. Adoption of the Minutes of the meeting of the Political Committee held in Luxembourg on Thursday 29 May 1997 [AP 107 PC (97) 3]

Mr. Milian (E) spoke.

The Minutes were amended.

The Minutes [AP 107 PC (97) 3], as amended, were adopted.

4. Consideration of the draft General Report After the Madrid Summit [AP 226 PC (97) 7] and presentation of the draft Resolution on NATO After Madrid [AP 232 PC (97) 9] by Mr. Maarten van Traa (Netherlands), General Rapporteur

The General Rapporteur presented the draft General Report and the draft Resolution.

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Mr. Voigt (FRG), Mr. Boucheron (F), Mrs. Zapf (FRG), Mr. Milian (E), Mr. Pastusiak (PL), Mr. Ozerov (Russian Federation), Mrs. Just (DK), Mr. Lenic (Slovenia), Mr. Zaiets (Ukraine), Mr. Payne (Czech Republic), Mr. Dudenas (Lithuania), Mr. Meckel (FRG), Mr. Viggers (UK), Mr. Öymen (TR) and Mr. Verivakis (GR) spoke.

The General Rapporteur replied to the debate.

Mrs. Just (DK) proposed a manuscript amendment to leave out paragraph 6 of the draft General Report.

On a vote, the manuscript amendment was rejected.

The draft General Report After the Madrid Summit [AP 226 PC (97) 7] was adopted unanimously.

8. Consideration of the draft Report Four Years After Oslo: Is There Still a Middle East Peace Process? [AP 246 GSM (97) 10], and the draft Report NATO’s Role in the Mediterranean [AP 245 GSM (97) 9], by Mrs. Maria Carrilho (Portugal), Acting Rapporteur of the Mediterranean Special Group

The Acting Rapporteur presented the draft Reports.

5. Presentation by Mr. Rick P. Kirby, Deputy Head, Partnership and Cooperation Section, NATO Political Affairs Division

Mr. Kirby addressed the Committee and responded to points raised by Mr. Viggers (UK), Mr. Pastusiak (PL), Mr. Robinson (CDN) and Mr. Solomon (USA).

6. Consideration of the draft Interim Report of the Sub-Committee on NATO Enlargement and the New Democracies Ratification of NATO Enlargement [AP 228 PC/ED (97) 3] by Mrs. Annette Just (Denmark) and Mr. Porter Goss (United States), Co-Rapporteurs

The Co-Rapporteurs presented the draft Interim Report.

Mrs. Aelvoet (European Parliament) and Mr. Milian (E) spoke.

The Co-Rapporteurs replied to the debate.

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The draft Interim Report Ratification of NATO Enlargement [AP 228 PC/ED (97) 3] was adopted.

7. Consideration of the draft Special Report of the Sub-Committee on Transatlantic and European Relations, Poland on Her Way to NATO [AP 230 PC/TER (97) 4] by Mr. Longin Pastusiak (Poland), Associate Rapporteur

The Associate Rapporteur presented the draft Special Report.

Mr. Viggers (UK) and Ms. Aelvoet (European Parliament) spoke.

The Associate Rapporteur replied to the debate.

The draft Interim Report Poland on Her Way to NATO [AP 230 PC/TER (97) 4] was adopted.

12. Presentation by Mr. Cameron Munter, Assistant to the Special Adviser to the President of the United States and Secretary of State for NATO Enlargement Ratification

Mr. Munter addressed the Committee and responded to points raised by Mrs. Just (DK), Mr. Hirsch Ballin (NL), Mr. Solomon (USA), Mr. van Traa (NL), Mr. Viggers (UK), Mr. Lantos (USA) and Mr. Robinson (CDN).

13. Presentation by Ambassador Kai Eide, Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo

Ambassador Eide addressed the Committee and responded to points raised by Mr. van Traa (NL), Mr. Lantos (USA), Mr. Hirsch Ballin (NL), Mr. Voigt (FRG), Mr. Solomon (USA), Mr. Karamollaoglu (TR), Mr. Viggers (UK) and Mr. Bökel (FRG).

10. Consideration of the draft Special Report of the Sub-Committee on NATO Enlargement and the New Democracies, Can We Really Get Rid of Division in Europe? [AP 231 PC/TER (97) 5] by Mr. Ioan Mircea Pascu (Romania), Associate Rapporteur

The Associate Rapporteur presented the draft Special Report.

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11. Presentation by Mrs. Zoe Petre, Presidential Adviser on International Affairs, Romania

Mrs. Petre addressed the Committee and replied to points raised by Mr. Voigt (FRG), Mr. Boulaud (F), Mr. Zaiets (Ukraine) and Mr. Ruberti (I).

Mr. Pascu (RO), Associate Rapporteur, replied to the debate.

The draft Special Report Can We Really Get Rid of Division in Europe? [AP 231 PC/TER (97) 5] was adopted.

9. Consideration of the draft Interim Report of the Sub-Committee on Transatlantic and European Relations, Complementary Pillars of European Security: The OSCE Security Model and the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council [AP 229 PC/TER (97) 3] by Mr. Bruce George (United Kingdom), Rapporteur

In the absence of the Rapporteur, Mr. van Traa (NL), General Rapporteur, presented the draft Interim Report.

Mrs. Zapf (FRG) spoke.

The General Rapporteur replied.

The draft Interim Report Complementary Pillars of European Security: The OSCE Security Model and the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council [AP 229 PC/TER (97) 3] was adopted.

14. Presentation on NATO in the 21st Century: A Preliminary Contribution, by Mr. Jan Petersen, Chairman of the Political Committee

The Chairman addressed the Committee.

Mr. Stan Sloan (USA) addressed the Committee.

Mr. Hirsch Ballin (NL) and Mr. Robinson (CDN) spoke.

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15. Consideration and vote of the draft Resolution on NATO After Madrid [AP 232 PC (97) 9], by Mr. Maarten van Traa (Netherlands)

Mr. Kansy (FRG) moved Amendment No. 4 on behalf of Mr. Francke, as follows:

Leave out paragraph 2 and insert the following new paragraphs:

Welcoming the Madrid Summit’s decision to invite the Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary to accede to the Alliance;

Noting with appreciation that negotiations on the details of accession between NATO and these three countries have already begun;

Expressing its expectation that the negotiations will be concluded as envisaged at the end of October in order to be able to sign the protocols of accession in December and to rapidly submit them to national parliaments of member states for ratification;

The General Rapporteur accepted the Amendment.

Amendment No. 4 was agreed to, with 3 abstentions.

Amendment No. 5 was withdrawn.

Mr. Dudenas (Lithuania) moved Amendment No. 1, as follows:

Leave out paragraph 4 and insert the following new paragraphs:

Regretting that the Baltic States, Romania and Slovenia, which are positively mentioned in the Madrid Declaration, were not invited at Madrid to join the Alliance;

Noting that Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania and Slovenia continue to seek NATO membership and enhance their preparations looking towards 1999;

Affirming that the process of NATO enlargement will not be complete until it includes Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania and Slovenia;

The General Rapporteur rejected the Amendment.

Mr. Solomon (USA) proposed a Sub-Amendment to the Amendment, at the end, to add the words “and others”.

The Sub-Amendment was agreed to.

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Mr. Kansy (FRG), Mr. Stefanov (BG), Mr. Meckel (FRG), Mr. Viggers (UK), Mr. Bouvard (F) and Mr. Ruberti (I) spoke.

Amendment No. 1, as amended, was agreed to with 12 votes for, 9 against and 4 abstentions.

Amendments No. 6, No. 9 and No. 15 fell.

Mr. Pastusiak (PL) moved Amendment No. 11, as follows:

After paragraph 5, insert the following new paragraph:

Noting the continuation of the Partnership for Peace programme;

The General Rapporteur accepted the Amendment.

Amendment No. 11 was agreed to.

Mr. Dudenas (Lithuania) moved Amendment No. 2, as follows:

At the end of paragraph 9 add the following words:

“as well as their neighbouring countries”.

The General Rapporteur rejected the Amendment.

Amendment No. 2 was rejected, with 10 votes for and 11 votes against.

Mr. Ruberti (I) moved Amendment No. 17, as follows:

After paragraph 14, insert the following new paragraph:

Noting that, with reference to those states aspiring to join the Alliance and to be invited to do so in 1999, the Madrid Declaration acknowledges the positive developments towards democracy and the rule of law in Romania and Slovenia;

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The General Rapporteur proposed a Sub-Amendment to the Amendment, to leave out the words “Romania and Slovenia” and insert the words “a number of South-East European countries, especially Romania and Slovenia, at the same time recognizing the progress achieved towards greater stability and co-operation by the states in the Baltic region which are also aspiring members”.

The Sub-Amendment was agreed to.

Amendment No. 17, as amended, was agreed to.

Mr. Kansy (D) moved Amendment No. 7 on behalf of Mr. Francke, as follows:

After sub-paragraph 15 a., insert the following new sub-paragraph:

proceed as quickly as possible with the ratification for the accession documents in order to underline once again the determination for the Alliance to open itself for new members;

The General Rapporteur accepted the Amendment.

Amendment No. 7 was agreed to.

Mr. Pascu (RO) moved Amendment No. 16, as follows:

After sub-paragraph 15.b., insert the following new sub-paragraph:

assist Romania and Slovenia in achieving a de facto level of preparation for membership as close as possible to that of the three countries invited to start negotiations in Madrid;

The General Rapporteur rejected the Amendment.

Mr. Lenic (Slovenia) spoke.

Amendment No. 16 was rejected.

Mr. Dudenas (Lithuania) moved Amendment No. 3, as follows:

Leave out sub-paragraph 15. c. and insert the following new sub-paragraph:

take into account the intentions to join the Alliance of the applicant countries, especially aspiring members mentioned in the Madrid Declaration - Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, and Slovenia, and vigorously pursue an enhanced dialogue with them to facilitate new invitations at the earliest feasible time, with the goal of 1999, and consider opening NATO information and documentation offices in those states which request them;

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The General Rapporteur rejected the Amendment.

Mr. Bereuter (USA) and Mr. Kansy (FRG) spoke.

Amendment No. 3 was rejected.

Mr. Kansy (FRG) moved Amendment No. 8 on behalf of Mr. Francke, as follows:

At the start of sub-paragraph 15 c., replace the words “vigorously pursue an enhanced intensified dialogue with those states aspiring to join the Alliance” by the words:

continue to actively support those countries still seeking NATO membership and vigorously pursue an enhanced intensified dialogue with these states.

The General Rapporteur rejected the Amendment.

Amendment No. 8 was rejected.

Amendment No. 18 was withdrawn.

Mr. Pascu (RO) moved Amendment No. 12, as follows:

In sub-paragraph 15.c., after “1999”, insert the words:

especially those whose progress has been expressly recognized in the Madrid Declaration

The General Rapporteur rejected the Amendment.

Amendment No. 12 was rejected.

Mr. Zaiets (Ukraine) moved Amendment No. 14, as follows:

After sub-paragraph 15.d., insert the following new sub-paragraph:

expedite efforts towards the practical realization of the provisions of the NATO-Ukraine Charter, expanding co-operation between the NAA and the Supreme Rada of the Ukraine in particular;

The General Rapporteur accepted the Amendment.

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Amendment No. 14 was agreed to.

Mr. Zaiets (Ukraine) moved Amendment No. 13, as follows:

Leave out sub-paragraph 15.e.

The General Rapporteur accepted the Amendment.

Mr. Viggers (UK) and Mr. Bereuter (USA) spoke.

Amendment No. 13 was agreed to.

Mr. Bouvard (F) moved Amendment No. 10, as follows”

In sub-paragraph 15.g., after the word “to”, add “achieve a better balance of responsibilities between Europeans and Americans in the Allied Headquarters and to”

The General Rapporteur rejected the Amendment.

Mr. Solomon (USA) spoke.

Amendment No. 10 was withdrawn.

Mr. Viggers (UK) moved Amendment No. 19, as follows:

In sub-paragraph 15.j., after the words “OSCE commitments,” leave out the remainder of the paragraph and insert:

support the continued power of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office and the use of conflict prevention mechanisms such as the appointment of Special Representatives, missions in the field, and the work of the High Commissioner for National Minorities;

The General Rapporteur rejected the Amendment.

Amendment No. 19 was withdrawn.

The draft Resolution on NATO After Madrid [AP 232 PC (97) 9], as amended, was adopted unanimously.

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16. Election of officers and Sub-Committee mandates

Mr. Viggers (USA), Vice Chairman of the Committee, took the Chair.

Political Committee Chairman Mr. Petersen (N), re-elected

Mr. Petersen (N), Chairman of the Committee, took the Chair.

Vice-Chairmen Mr. Viggers (UK), re-elected Mr. Lantos (USA), elected

Mr. Verivakis (GR), electedGeneral Rapporteur Mr. van Traa (NL), re-elected

Sub-Committee on NATO Enlargement Chairman Mr. Mr. Bouvard (F), re-electedand the New Democracies Vice-Chairmen Mr. Bierling (FRG), re-elected

Mr. Wood (CDN), elected.Co-Rapporteurs Mrs. Just (DK), re-elected

Mr. Goss (USA), re-electedAssociate Rapporteur Mr. Pascu (RO), re-elected

Sub-committee on Transatlantic and Chairman Mr. Duetoft (DK),re-electedEuropean Relations Vice-Chairperson Mrs. Petursdottir (IS), re-elected

Rapporteur Mr. George (UK), re-electedAssociate Rapporteur Mr. Pastusiak (PL), re-elected.

18. Date and place of the next meeting

The Chairman informed the Committee that its next meeting would take place in Barcelona, Spain, at the Spring Session to be held from 22 to 26 May 1998.

19. Closing remarks by the Chairman

The Chairman thanked the Romanian hosts, delegates, staff and interpreters for their contributions to the Committee’s proceedings.

The meeting closed at 16.55 on Saturday 11 October 1997.

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