This Nuclear Proliferation International History Project (NPIHP) research update presents new source materials from the Dutch government, specifically the Council of Ministers, detailing the Dutch role in the negotiations from 1962 to 1965 surrounding the establishment of a Multilateral Force (MLF). Though ultimately unsuccessful, the effort to establish a European-American multilateral nuclear force is an important episode in Cold War history, nuclear history, and the ongoing story of European integration.
From the outset Canadian officials had an incredibly expansive definition of NATO's supposed defensive character, which says an "attack against one ally is considered as an attack against all allies." As part of the Parliamentary debate over NATO external minister Lester Pearson said: "There is no better way of ensuring the security of the Pacific Ocean at this particular moment than by working out, between the great democratic powers, a security arrangement the effects of which will be felt all over the world, including the Pacific area.” Two years later he said: “The defence of the Middle East is vital to the successful defence of Europe and north Atlantic area.” In 1953 Pearson went even further: “There is now only a relatively small [5000 kilometre] geographical gap between southeast Asia and the area covered by the North Atlantic treaty, which goes to the eastern boundaries of Turkey.”
Rund um den 25. März 2017 ertönen zum 60. Jahrestag der Europäischen Verträge Hohelieder auf die Erfolge der Europäischen Integration. Angesichts der Bilanz der Integration, der Erweiterung und der Beziehungen zu unseren Nachbarn sehen wir wenig Grund zum Feiern und Singen. Das Fundament des Europäischen Hauses hat tiefe Risse. Wir, Unterzeichnerinnen und Unterzeichner dieser Aufforderung zur Diskussion, nehmen den Jahrestag der Römischen Verträge zum Anlass, um Positionen über die Zukunft Europas zu erinnern, neu zu entwerfen und einen Austausch zu organisieren.