Multifunctionalizing NATO...and use the NAC wisely!.

What is needed in the post-Cold War world is a multifunctional NATO that is
both a political organization, as well as a military alliance.

We should create a civilian police/law enforcement committee in NATO that in
under the North Atlantic Council. This could be somewhat like Europol, which
has no police and no arrest powers, but aids  EU member-states in
investigating crimes, but it is up to the member-state to enforce its own
laws. Currently, only ad hoc, transatlantic cooperation exists between the
American agencies, like the FBI and Scotland Yard. We could utilize NATO's
current cooperation and organizational structures effectively here.

Getting NATO involved in transatlantic terrorism and crime control would be
an extension of its Treaty mandated "to safeguard the freedom, common
heritage and civilization of its (their) peoples, founded on the principles
of democracy, individual liberty and the rule of law."

Also, there should be more extension of Article Four consultation to include
non-military, non-defense related matters, which would include transatlantic
law enforcement issues.   The consultation article could be used to
facilitate discussion between NATO members on such matters, such as the need
to harmonize laws and efforts in the fight against terrorism. The NAC should
be used in a positive way, not as another means to "stand up against
 America" and not only selfish national interests. The NAC should not become
an imbittered place where "Europe stands up againt America!" These
transatlantic divisions only help our enemies like al-Queda, and hurts ALL
of OUR security interests.

The NAC needs a "wise use" policy based on positive use!

The Alliance should realize that there is no veto in NATO and develop a more
effective method of arriving at decisions in the age of fluid threats, such
as from terrorism. The NAC should become a chamber of brotherhood, a
brotherhood of democracies of free people.  Along those lines - NATO's
reaction force (NRF) should be free to act anywhere and anytime to protect
us and our civilization from brewing threats. The NRF should be have some
autonomy and not have to wait for consensus from the NAC, which, as we saw
last February, can take some time to reach. The NAC should become the
non-military symbol of that spirit -the NATO sprirt- the spirit of
brotherhood of free peoples demonistrated for the world to admire.

The evolution of the NATO Alliance away from military alliance toward a more
political alliance of  like-minded democracies was ordained by the creators
of the North Atlantic Treaty. The creators had the Alliance's post Cold War
survival in mind AND had the genius to see that the Alliance had to have a
non-military function and become a permanent alliance to help inspire and
lead the world to peace and freedom.

The NATO Alliance must fulfill its Treaty mandated role of not only
protecting North Atlantic civilization, but also "by bringing about a better
understanding of the principles upon which these institutions are founded,
and by promoting conditions of stability and well-being" - for North
Atlantic nations, as well as others.


-- 
Erin LaPorte
The NATO Citizen - www.pronato.com
P.O. Box 371162
Milwaukee, Wisconsin - USA 53237-2062
"In service of peace and freedom!"



NOT JUST MILITARY! The other purpose of the North Atlantic Treaty.
http://www.pronato.com/NATreaty/article2(1).htm

Myth Busting: Article Four and the 11 September attacks
http://www.pronato.com/NATreaty/article4.1.htm

"September 11th and post-Prague: NATO faces its challenge from terrorism!"
http://www.pronato.com/NATO.terrorism/nato.terrorism1.htm

The UN Charter and the North Atlantic Treaty
http://www.pronato.com/NATreaty/un.and.nato.htm