Suchergebnisse

As a result of certain decisions of the North Atlantic Council, the five Brussels treaty powers met in Brussels on December 20 to effect the immediate merging of the Western Union defense organization with that of the North Atlantic Treaty nations. It was decided that the Brussels Pact board of production and supply would be incorporated with the production board of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The defense forces of the Brussels Pact organization were to form the nucleus in the administration and personnel of the enlarged and unified North Atlantic defense organization. However, a statement issued by the Consultative Council of Western Powers revealed that the Brussels Pact organization would not be abolished and that the merger with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization "would in no way affect the obligations which the five countries have undertaken by virtue of the Brussels Treaty."

The Consultative Council's eleventh session was held in Paris on November 13, 1951, with Robert Schuman, the French Foreign Minister, serving as chairman. In addition to international questions, the Council considered the relationship to be established between the Brussels Pact organization and the Council of Europe, agreeing on the terms of a letter on this subject to the latter. It examined the results of cooperation among the five members in the political, social and cultural fields and in civil defense affairs. With the entry into force of the three main multilateral social conventions, the Brussels Treaty countries were offering complete reciprocity to one another in social security matters. It was resolved that practical schemes for cultural cooperation, especially in education, were to continue to strengthen European solidarity.

An informal meeting of the Consultative Council of the Brussels Treaty Organization was held in Paris, December 15, 1952. The foreign ministers of Belgium, France, Luxembourg, Netherlands and United Kingdom reviewed the activities of the Permanent Commission and the work undertaken by the organization in social, cultural and civil defense matters since the last meeting of the Council in November 1951.

During the period under review (September-October 1950) the five Brussels Pact nations continued their collaboration in defense and defense training matters. The powers, with the participation of the United States, carried out a successful demonstration of new and improved anti-tank weapons at the School of Infantry, Warminster in England on September 4, 1950 as well as a demonstration of United Kingdom armored artillery and infantry weapons. As a result of the tests, it was reported that good progress had been made in the army's firepower generally and that the infantryman's anti-tank potential was increasing.

A combined exercise, lasting about three days, was held at the end of April 1951. United Kingdom and Dutch military, naval and air forces took part in the exercise. A Dutch light cruiser, two United Kingdom destroyers, two Dutch frigates and a number of United Kingdom and Dutch MTB's, landing craft and motor launches cooperated with Dutch military forces in bombardment and amphibious operations and Netherlands aircraft provided air attack and support.

On July 20, 1950 the seventh periodic meeting of the Western Union Defense Committee took place. Present were the defense ministers of Belgium, France, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Luxembourg as well as the military, air and naval chiefs. The ministers considered the international military situation and some proposals drawn up by the commanders-in-chief. They recognized the necessity of speeding up, without delay, the production of war material and of increasing the defensive power of the western union land, air and sea forces "as a guarantee against aggression."