STAFF NOTES: WESTERN EUROPE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP86T00608R000500040012-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: December 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: November 17, 2004
• Sequence Number: 12
• Publication Date: May 12, 1975
• Content Type: REPORT

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Eurogroup Decides To Initiate Dialogue
Canada Considering Withdrawal of Its
NATO Ground Forces in Europe . . . . . . . 6
May 12, 1975
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Eurogroup Decides To Initiate Dialogue with US
The defense ministers of r.irle European mem-
bers of NATO agreed last week to seek talks with
the US to get a better balance in the programs
for military pro :u ement and standardization of
equipment.
The ministers also agreed to try once again
to persuade France to cooperate with the Euro-
group, the informal caucus of most of the European
members of NATO. France is not a mer,ber-.
The Europeans "relieve that they must sell
equipment to the US in order to maintain a stable
and technologically advanced European arlns in-
dustry. They also believe that NATO's efforts
to standardize equipment will be greatly aided
if the US buys European.
The defense ministers also agreed that
the Eurogroup should invite France to participate
in the procurement and standardization projects
being carried out under the group's auspice-
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Given r'ronch sensitivities and the desire
of the Eurogroup members to obtain cooperation,
those ministers who present the Eurogroup's
proposals tc France undoubtedly will avoid any
language that the French might regard as threaten-
ing.
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Previous Eurogroup efforts to obtain France's
cooperation have failed. It would be a major
policy change for President Giscard to alter
France's attitude. At a minimum, Paris would be
likely tr require the Eurogroup states to make
firm large-scale commitments to buy French mili-
tary equipment.
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Canada Considering Withdrawal of Its
NATO Ground Forces in Europe
The Canadian government, as part of
its current defense review, is considering
a plan to withdraw its NATO-committed ground
forces in Europe and to limit its NATO commit-
ment to modernized air and sea elements.
A press report on May 8 said the plan,
drawn up by the Defense Ministry for cabinet
consideration, calls for withdrawal of Canada's
2,800-man battle group from Europe, replacement
of its European based CF-104 fighter-bombers
with newer F-15s, and purchase of a fleet
of new light patrol vessels to protect Canada's
Atlantic sea route.
On May 9, Prime Minister Trudeau was
questioned in the House of Commons about
the press story, but he avoided giving a
direct reply. On the same day, the ambassadors
of the NATO countries queried External Affairs
Minister MacEachen who reassured them that
neither the Canadian. government nor the public
questioned the importance of NATO., Like
the Prime Minister, he did not indicate whether
elimination of the ground force was under
consideration.
In response to US embassy inquiries, a
Canadian Defense Ministry official has con-
firmed that the withdrawal of the ground forces
is under consideration at the departmental level.
He indicated that recommendations wou~.d not
be made to the cabinet before the end of June.
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A Canadian official at NATO headquarters
said that his Defense Minister and Chief
of Staff would discuss Ottawa's defense review
at meetings of NATO defense ministers and
chiefs of staff on May 22 and 23.
The Canadian plan would be in line with
earlier reports that the defense review would
emphasize modernization of equipment even
at the expense of some redi..ction in personnel.
A reduction of Ottawa's UN peacekeeping con-'
tingents had been considered the most likely
targets for reduction.
The US embassy in Ottawa believes it
is unlikely that Canada would risk the appearance
of reducing its NATO commitment at the same
time that it is pursuing a policy of strengthening
ties with Western Europe and seeking a "contractual
link" with the EC.
A decision by Ottawa to withdraw its
ground force contingent. could have some far-
reaching effects in NATO. Coming after earlier
decisions by the UK, Italy, and the Netherlands
to reduce some forces, and Greece's withdrawal
from NATO's integrated military command,
the withdrawal of even the small Canadian
contingent could be viewed as another step
in the gradual decline of the Alliance.
The NATO allies could argue that Canada,
rather than making unilateral withdrawals,
should seek to make reductions in the context
of a possible torcc reduction a reenment now
being negotiated in Vienna.
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