Nato Handbook Important Dates Information
March 24, 1993
1980
24 January
Members of the Alliance participating in the 12
December 1979 Special Meeting establish the
Special Consultative Group on arms control involv-
ing theatre nuclear forces.
18 February-
3 March
CSCE Forum on Scientific Cooperation, Ham-
burg.
31 August
Gdansk Agreements, leading to establishment and
official recognition of independent Polish trade
union ``Solidarity''.
12 September
Turkish military leadership takes over the adminis-
tration of the country.
22 September
War breaks out between Iraq and Iran.
20 October
Re-integration of Greek forces into the integrated
military structure of the Alliance.
11 November
Opening of CSCE Follow-up Meeting in Madrid.
1981
1 January
Greece becomes the 10th member of the European
Economic Community.
23 January
Abortive attempt by rebel civil guards to over-
throw Spanish caretaker government.
27 October
Soviet submarine grounded in Swedish territorial
waters.
18 November
President Reagan announces new arms control
initatives including intermediate-range nuclear
force negotiations (INF) and strategic arms reduc-
tion talks (START).
30 November
The United States and the Soviet Union open
Geneva negotiations on intermediate-range nuclear
forces (INF).
10-11 December
Signature of the Protocol of Accession of Spain to
the North Atlantic Treaty.
13 December
Imposition of martial law in Poland.
1982
11 January
Special Ministerial Session of the North Atlantic
Council issues a Declaration on Events in Poland.
2 April-14 June
The Falklands Conflict.
30 May
Spain becomes the 16th member of the North
Atlantic Treaty Organisation.
10 June
Summit Meeting of the North Atlantic Council in
Bonn. Heads of State and Government issue the
Bonn Declaration setting out the Alliance Pro-
gramme for Peace in Freedom.
30 June
Opening of Strategic Arms Reduction Talks
(START) in Geneva.
1983
23 March
President Reagan announces a comprehensive re-
search programme aimed at eliminating the threat
posed by strategic nuclear missiles (Strategic
Defense Initiative).
22 July
Ending of martial law in Poland. New laws rein-
force Government controls.
1 September
A South Korean airliner with 269 people on board
is shot down by Soviet air defence off the coast of
Sakhalin.
9 September
Conclusion of CSCE Follow-up Meeting in Madrid.
25 October
Military intervention in Grenada by United States
and East Caribbean forces.
27 October
The Montebello Decision. Defence Ministers meet-
ing in the NATO Nuclear Planning Group in
Montebello, Canada announce their decision to
withdraw a further 1,400 warheads from Europe,
bringing the total of such withdrawals since 1979 to
2,400.
23 November
Deliveries of GLCM components to the United King-
dom mark the beginning of NATO's intermediate-
range nuclear force deployments (INF).
23 November
Decision by the Soviet Union to discontinue the
current round of negotiations in Geneva on
intermediate-range nuclear forces (INF).
8 December
Conclusion of the current round of US-Soviet
Geneva negotiations on Strategic Arms Reductions
(START) without a date being set by the Soviet side
for their resumption.
8-9 December
Foreign Ministers meeting in the Ministerial Ses-
sion of the North Atlantic Council issue the Declar-
ation of Brussels expressing their determination to
seek a balanced and constructive relationship with
the East and calling on the Soviet Union and other
Warsaw Treaty countries to respond.
13 December
Formation of a civilian government in Turkey
following parliamentary elections under a new
constitution.
1984
17 January
Opening of the Stockholm Conference on Security
and Confidence-Building Measures and Disarma-
ment in Europe (CDE).
21 March-
30 April
CSCE Experts' Meeting on the Peaceful Settlement
of Disputes, Athens.
31 May
NATO Foreign Ministers issue the Washington
Statement on East-West Relations.
12 June
Foreign Ministers of the seven countries of the
Western European Union meeting in Paris decide
to reactivate the WEU.
25 June
Lord Carrington (United Kingdom) succeeds
Josph Luns as Secretary General of NATO.
16-26 October
CSCE Seminar on Economic, Scientific and Cul-
tural Cooperation in the Mediterranean, Venice.
31 October
Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi is assassi-
nated and is succeeded by her son Rajiv Gandhi.
7 December
Presentation by the Secretary General of NATO of
the first Atlantic Award to Per Markussen (Den-
mark), for his outstanding contribution over many
years to the objectives of the Atlantic Alliance.
1985
11 March
Mikhail Gorbachev becomes General Secretary of
the Communist Party of the Soviet Union.
12 March
The United States and the USSR begin new arms
control negotiations in Geneva, encompassing de-
fence and space systems, strategic nuclear forces
and intermediate-range nuclear forces.
26 April
The 1955 Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and
Mutual Assistance, establishing the Warsaw Treaty
Organisation, is extended for 20 years by leaders
of the seven member states.
7 May-17 June
CSCE Experts' Meeting on Human Rights, Ottawa.
7 October
Palestinian guerrillas hijack an Italian cruise liner,
the Achille Lauro, in the Mediterranean, taking
440 people hostage. An American citizen is
murdered.
15 October-
25 November
Cultural Forum in Budapest.
12 November
Professor van der Beugel (Netherlands) becomes
the second recipient of NATO's Atlantic Award
for outstanding services to the Atlantic Alliance.
19-21 November
Geneva Summit meeting between United States
President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader
Mikhail Gorbachev.
21 November
President Reagan reports on his Geneva talks with
Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev at a special meet-
ing of the North Atlantic Council with the partici-
pation of Heads of State and Government and
Foreign Ministers.
1986
12 March
In a referendum organised by Prime Minister
Felipe Gonzalez, Spanish voters support the contin-
ued membership of Spain in the Atlantic Alliance
without participation in NATO's integrated mili-
tary structure.
15 April
In response to terrorist attacks attributed to Libya,
United States forces attack targets in Tripoli and
Benghazi.
26 April
Nuclear accident at the Chernobyl power station
in the Soviet Union.
22 September
End of Stockholm Conference on Confidence and
Security Building Measures and Disarmament in
Europe (CDE). Concluding document (dated
19 September) includes mandatory measures for
notification, observation and on-site inspection of
military manoeuvres of participating countries.
11-12 October
Reykjavik Summit Meeting between United States
President Reagan and Soviet Leader Mikhail
Gorbachev.
4 November
The third CSCE Follow-up Conference opens in
Vienna.
24 November
Prof. Karl Kaiser (Federal Republic of Germany)
receives the third Atlantic Award for services to
the Alliance.
1987
17 February
Talks open in Vienna between NATO and Warsaw
Treaty countries on a mandate for negotiations on
conventional forces in Europe from the Atlantic to
the Urals.
5 June
The Canadian Government announces its decision
to redirect its commitment to the reinforcement of
Europe from the Northern to the Central Region.
22 July
Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev announces Soviet
readiness to eliminate all intermediate-range nu-
clear weapons including those deployed in the
Asian part of the Soviet Union in the context of a
United States-Soviet INF treaty.
20 August
Western European Union experts meeting in The
Hague consider joint action in the Gulf to ensure
freedom of navigation in the oil shipping lanes of
the region.
28-30 August
United States inspectors attend military manoeuv-
res near Minsk, the first such inspection to take
place under the provisions of the September 1986
Stockholm Document.
5-7 October
Soviet inspectors attend NATO exercises in Turkey,
the first such inspection to take place in an Alliance
country under the provisions of the September
1986 Stockholm Document.
27 October
Foreign and Defence Ministers of the seven
member countries of the Western European Union
adopt a ``Platform on European Security Inter-
ests''.
25 November
Presentation of NATO's annual Atlantic Award to
Pierre Harmel (Belgium) author of the 1967
Harmel Report.
8 December
US President Reagan and Soviet Leader
Mikhail Gorbachev, meeting at the beginning of
their 3-day summit talks, sign the Washington INF
Treaty, eliminating on a global basis land-based
intermediate-range nuclear missiles.
9 December
The United States and the Soviet Union reach
agreement on measures allowing the monitoring of
nuclear explosions at each other's test sites.
10 December
At the end of their 3-day summit meeting in
Washington, US President Reagan and Soviet
Leader Mikhail Gorbachev pledge deep cuts in
strategic arms.
11 December
The North Atlantic Council marks the 20th anni-
versary of the Harmel report. The Secretary of
State of the United States and the Foreign Minis-
ters of Belgium, Federal Republic of Germany,
Italy, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom
sign bilateral agreements relating to the implemen-
tation of the INF Treaty.
1988
22 January
Establishment of a Joint Security Council by the
Governments of the Federal Republic of Germany
and of France. The two Governments also sign an
agreement relating to the formation of a joint
Franco-German Army Brigade.
2-3 March
Summit meeting of the North Atlantic Council in
Brussels emphasises Allied unity and reasserts the
common objectives and principles and the continu-
ing validity of Alliance policies. A Statement on
Conventional Arms Control is issued calling for
significant steps to bring about progress in eliminat-
ing conventional force disparities through negotia-
tions on conventional stability.
15 May
Beginning of Soviet troop withdrawals from
Afghanistan.
31 May
During a five-day Summit meeting in Moscow,
President Reagan and General Secretary Gor-
bachev exchange documents implementing the re-
cently ratified December 1987 INF Treaty and sign
bilateral agreements on nuclear testing and in other
fields.
1 July
Manfred Worner, former Minister of Defence of
the Federal Republic of Germany, succeeds Lord
Carrington as Secretary General of NATO.
20 August
Entry into force of a ceasefire in the Gulf War
between Iran and Iraq, in the framework of UN
Security Council Resolution 598.
14 November
Portugal and Spain sign the Treaty of Accession to
the Western European Union.
5 December
Paul Nitze, Special Adviser on Arms Control to
President Reagan, receives the 1988 Atlantic
Award.
7 December
President Gorbachev, in the course of a major
address to the UN General Assembly, announces
unilateral Soviet conventional force reductions. A
major earthquake in Armenia devastates several
cities and causes massive loss of life.
8 December
Alliance Foreign Ministers welcome Soviet reduc-
tions in conventional forces and publish a state-
ment outlining the Alliance's proposals for
forthcoming negotiations on conventional stability
and further confidence- and security-building
measures.
1989
7-11 January
149 countries participate in an international
Conference on Chemical Weapons in Paris.
19 January
Conclusion of the Vienna CSCE Follow-up Meet-
ing and adoption of a Concluding Document in-
cluding mandates for new negotiations on Conven-
tional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) and new
negotiations on Confidence- and Security-Building
Measures (CSBMs).
15 February
The Soviet Union completes the withdrawal of
military forces from Afghanistan in accordance
with the schedule announced by President Gor-
bachev.
6 March
Foreign Ministers of CSCE states meet in Vienna to
mark the opening of new negotiations on Conven-
tional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) among the
23 members of NATO and the Warsaw Treaty
Organisation and on Confidence and Security-
Building Measures among all 35 CSCE participat-
ing States.
27 March
The first multi-candidate elections to the new
USSR Congress of People's Deputies result in
major set-backs for official Party candidates in
many constituencies.
4 April
The fortieth anniversary of the signing of the North
Atlantic Treaty is marked by a special session of
the North Atlantic Council and other ceremonies
at NATO and in capitals.
5 April
Agreements signed in Warsaw by Government and
opposition negotiators on measures leading to
political reforms in Poland including free elections
and registration of the banned trade union move-
ment Solidarity.
18 April-23 May
CSCE Information Forum, London.
12 May
President Bush proposes ``Open Skies'' regime to
increase confidence and transparency with respect
to military activities. The proposal envisages recip-
rocal opening of airspace and acceptance of
overflights of national territory by participating
countries.
29-30 May
Summit Meeting of the North Atlantic Council in
Brussels attended by Heads of State and Govern-
ment. Announcement by President Bush of major
new initiatives for conventional force reductions in
Europe. Adoption of the Alliance's Comprehensive
Concept of Arms Control and Disarmament and
publication of a Summit Declaration.
30 May-23 June
First meeting of the CSCE Conference on the
Human Dimension (CDH) in Paris.
31 May
During a visit to the Federal Republic of Germany
President Bush outlines proposals for promoting
free elections and pluralism in Eastern Europe and
dismantling the Berlin Wall.
3-4 June
Chinese leaders use armed forces in Peking to
suppress unarmed student-led popular demonstra-
tions in favour of democracy, causing large-scale
loss of life and leading to major unrest in other
cities, purges and infringements of basic rights
throughout China.
4 and 18 June
Free elections for the Polish Senate and partial
elections involving 35 per cent of seats in the Sejm
result in major electoral success for Solidarity.
8-9 June
Ministerial Meeting of the Defence Planning Com-
mittee. Defence Ministers consider implications for
defence planning of Western proposals for reduc-
tion of conventional forces in Europe.
16 June
Imre Nagy, leader of the 1956 Hungarian revolu-
tion who was hanged in 1958, is reburied with full
honours in Budapest.
19 June
Re-opening of Strategic Arms Reductions Talks
(START) in Geneva.
3 July
Death of veteran Soviet Foreign Minister and
former President Andrei Gromyko.
9 August
A statement is issued by NATO's Secretary General
on behalf of the Allies concerning the situation
of ethnic Turks in Bulgaria, calling upon the
Bulgarian government to respond positively to
appeals to meet its responsibilities under the CSCE
documents.
24 August
Tadeusz Mazowiecki becomes Prime Minister of
the first non-communist led government in Poland
in 40 years. The Polish United Workers' (Commu-
nist) Party retains four ministries.
10 September
Hungary opens its Western border, enabling large
numbers of East German refugees to leave the
country for destinations in the West.
3 October
Following the exodus of 6,390 East German
citizens from Western embassies in Prague on 1
October, under arrangements made by the East
German Government, some 20,000 East German
emigrants congregate in the Prague and Warsaw
embassies of the Federal Republic of Germany.
6-7 October
Mikhail Gorbachev, attending 40th Anniversary
Parade in East Berlin, urges reforms in the GDR.
16 October-
CSCE Meeting on Environmental Protection Sofia.
8 November
18 October
Erich Honecker, General Secretary of the Socialist
(Communist) Unity Party since 1971, is replaced
by Egon Krenz as leader of the German Demo-
cratic Republic as East German citizens demon-
strate for political reform and large numbers of
refugees continue to leave the German Democratic
Republic through Prague and Budapest.
23 October
The new constitution adopted by the Hungarian
Parliament on 18 October brings into being the
Republic of Hungary as a ``free, democratic, inde-
pendent legal state'' and opens the way for multi-
party elections in 1990.
7 November
Resignation of the East German Cabinet following
rallies in many cities calling for free elections and
the abolition of the Communist monopoly on
power and calls from within the Party for major
changes at the highest level. The move is followed
the next day by the joint resignation of the ruling
Politburo.
9-10 November
The opening of the Berlin Wall. Following wide-
spread demonstrations and demand for political
reform, the government of the German Democratic
Republic announces the lifting of travel restrictions
to the West and sets up new crossing points.
14 November
East German Parliament elects reformist Hans
Modrow as Prime Minister.
16 November
Removal of Todor Zhivkov, Bulgarian Communist
Party leader since 1954, followed by further sweep-
ing changes in the party leadership.
17 November
Violent dispersal of Prague student demonstrations
triggers popular movement against the govern-
ment. Emergence of Civic Forum, led by Vaclav
Havel.
20 November
Mass demonstrations in Leipzig voice popular call
for German unification.
24 November
Resignation of the Czechoslovak Party leadership.
Karel Urbanek becomes General Secretary and
invites dialogue with Civic Forum.
3 December
Resignation of new East German Politburo and
Central Committee amid revelations of Communist
leadership's misrule and corruption.
4 December
NATO Summit Meeting in Brussels. US President
George Bush briefs NATO leaders on his talks with
Soviet President Gorbachev at the US-Soviet
Summit Meeting in Malta on 2-3 December, mark-
ing the beginning of a new era of cooperation
between their countries.
The Summit Meeting of leaders of the Warsaw
Treaty Organisation in Moscow publishes a joint
statement denouncing the 1968 invasion of Czecho-
slovakia by Warsaw Pact forces and repudiates the
Brezhnev Doctrine of limited sovereignty.
7 December
Resignation of President Gustav Husak and forma-
tion of coalition government in Czechoslovakia.
NATO's Atlantic Award for 1989 is bestowed
on Sir Michael Howard, President and co-
founder of the International Institute for Strategic
Studies.
11 December
Popular demonstrations in Bulgaria lead to the
promise of free elections and renunciation of the
leading role of the Communist Party.
13 December
Vaclav Havel is elected President of Czecho-
slovakia.
14-15 December
Ministerial Meeting of the North Atlantic Council
in Brussels. Foreign Ministers review accelerating
political change in Central and Eastern Europe.
19 December
Soviet Foreign Minister Eduard Shevardnadze
visits NATO Headquarters for talks with NATO
Secretary General Manfred Worner and Perma-
nent Representatives of NATO countries - the
first such visit by a Minister of a Central or Eastern
European government.
20 December
Troops and police open fire on thousands of anti-
government protesters in the Romanian town of
Timisoara.
22 December
Fall of Ceausescu regime. Nicolai Ceausescu is
arrested by the Romanian armed forces and ex-
ecuted on 25 December. The National Salvation
Front headed by Ion Iliescu takes control and
promises free elections.
29 December
The Polish Parliament abolishes the leading role of
the Communist Party and restores the country's
name as the Republic of Poland.
1990
15 January
Bulgarian government abolishes the Communist
Party's 44-year monopoly on political power.
16 January-
5 February
35-nation Seminar on Military Doctrines in
Vienna in the framework of the CSCE.
6 February
In an unprecedented speech to the Plenary Session
of the Central Committee of the CPSU, Mr. Gor-
bachev addresses major aspects of his reform pro-
gramme including the abandonment of the leading
role of the Communist Party and the introduction
of political pluralism.
12-14 February
Foreign Ministers of NATO and Warsaw Treaty
Organisation countries, with observers from other
CSCE states, meet in Ottawa at the opening of the
``Open Skies'' Conference.
13 February
On the margins of the ``Open Skies'' Conference in
Ottawa agreement is reached by the Foreign Minis-
ters concerned to hold discussions on external
aspects of the establishment of German unity in
a ``Two Plus Four'' framework.
NATO and Warsaw Treaty Organisation Foreign
Ministers also agree on steps to enable a CFE agree-
ment to be concluded in 1990.
3 March
Czechoslovak Foreign Minister Jiri Dienstbier
visits NATO Headquarters for discussions with
NATO Secretary General Manfred Worner.
8 March
At a meeting attended by Chancellor Helmut Kohl,
consultations take place in the North Atlantic
Council on the position of the Government of the
Federal Republic on developments in Germany
and related security matters.
11 March
The Lithuanian Parliament votes to break away
from the Soviet Union and regain its independ-
ence.
17 March
Warsaw Treaty Organisation Foreign Ministers
meeting in Prague support the continuation in
being of both NATO and the Warsaw Pact.
18 March
In their first free elections in 40 years the citizens
of the German Democratic Republic give an over-
whelming majority to the conservative ``Alliance
for Germany'', marking a further key step in the
process of the unification of Germany.
19 March-11 April
CSCE Conference on Economic Cooperation in
Europe, Bonn.
21 March
Krzystof Skubiszewski, Foreign Minister of
Poland, visits NATO Headquarters for discussions
with Secretary General Manfred Worner and Per-
manent Representatives of NATO countries.
26 March
The Czechoslovak Government orders border in-
stallations along its frontiers with Austria and the
Federal Republic of Germany to be dismantled.
27 March
Formal entry of Portugal and Spain to the WEU on
completion of the ratification process.
7 April
Elections in Hungary result in a decisive victory
for the Hungarian Democratic Forum (centre-right
party).
12 April
The coalition government of the German Demo-
cratic Republic pronounces itself in favour of unifi-
cation with the Federal Republic of Germany on
the basis of Article 23 of the Basic Law and the
membership of the unified country in the North
Atlantic Alliance.
3 May
President Bush announces the cancellation of mod-
ernisation programmes for nuclear artillery shells
deployed in Europe and for a ``follow-on'' to the
LANCE short-range nuclear missile. He calls for
negotiations on US and Soviet short-range nuclear
missiles to begin shortly after a CFE treaty is signed.
7 May
The Latvian Parliament declares the independence
of the Baltic Republic.
8 May
The Estonian Parliament modifies the Republic's
name and constitution and restores its pre-war flag
and national anthem.
9-10 May
NATO Defence Ministers, meeting in the Nuclear
Planning Group in Kananaskis, Canada, discuss
the implications of political changes taking place
in Europe for NATO's security policy.
20 May
Following elections in Romania, former Commu-
nist Government member Ion Iliescu is elected
President despite opposition accusations of elec-
toral irregularities. The National Salvation Front
obtains a majority in Parliament.
22-23 May
NATO Defence Ministers, meeting in the Defence
Planning Committee, assess the implications for
NATO security policy of the changes taking place
in Europe and initiate a review of NATO's military
strategy.
Hungary's new Premier Josef Antall announces
his government's intention to withdraw from the
Warsaw Treaty Organisation following negotia-
tions.
30 May
Boris Yeltsin is elected President of the Russian
Republic in the third round of elections.
30 May-2 June
US-Soviet Summit Meeting in Washington.
5 June
Foreign Ministers of the 35 countries participating
in the second CSCE Conference on the Human
Dimension (CHD2) in Copenhagen agree to
accord observer status to Albania.
7-8 June
At the Ministerial Meeting of the North Atlantic
Council at Turnberry in Scotland, Alliance Foreign
Ministers publish a ``Message from Turnberry'' in
which they express their determination to seize the
historic opportunities resulting from the profound
changes in Europe and extend to the Soviet Union
and all other European countries the hand of
friendship and cooperation.
8 June
Parliamentary elections in Czechoslovakia. Civic
Forum and allied parties win a majority in the
Federal Assembly.
10 and 17 June
Elections in Bulgaria result in a parliamentary
majority for the Bulgarian Socialist Party.
18 June
NATO announces the award of 70 research
fellowships for 1990/91 including 55 fellowships
for research on democratic institutions awarded
for the first time to citizens of both NATO and
Central and Eastern European countries.
28 June
At the Copenhagen CSCE Conference on the
Human Dimension Eastern European countries
(excluding Albania, which joined the CSCE
process in June 1991) commit themselves to multi-
party parliamentary democracy and to the rule of
law.
29 June
Geza Jeszensky, Foreign Minister of Hungary,
is received at NATO Headquarters by Secretary
General Manfred Worner.
2 July
Monetary union is established between the Federal
Republic of Germany and the German Democratic
Republic.
3 July
Taro Nakayama, Foreign Minister of Japan, is
received by Secretary General Manfred Worner at
NATO Headquarters.
6 July
NATO Heads of State and Government meeting
in London publish the ``London Declaration'' on
a Transformed North Atlantic Alliance. The declar-
ation outlines proposals for developing cooper-
ation with the countries of Central and Eastern
Europe across a wide spectrum of political and
military activity, including the establishment of
regular diplomatic liaison between those countries
and NATO.
10 July
The Foreign Minister of the German Democratic
Republic, Markus Meckel, visits NATO.
13-17 July
NATO Secretary General Manfred Worner visits
Moscow at the invitation of Foreign Minister Sche-
vardnadze for talks with the Soviet leadership fol-
lowing publication of the London Declaration.
16 July
Chancellor Kohl and President Gorbachev agree
on measures enabling Germany to regain full sover-
eignty and to exercise its right to remain a full
member of the North Atlantic Alliance.
17 July
Conclusion of the ``Two Plus Four'' Conference in
Paris on the unification of Germany.
18 July
Hungarian Prime Minister Jozsef Antall visits
NATO Headquarters.
2 August
Iraqi troops invade Kuwait following a dispute
between the two countries on exploitation of oil
rights in the Gulf.
6 August
The UN Security Council agrees unanimously on
wide-ranging sanctions against Iraq and demands
Iraqi withdrawal from the occupied territory of
Kuwait.
8 August
The UN Security Council declares the Iraqi
announcement of its de facto annexation of Kuwait
nul and void.
10 August
Special Meeting of the North Atlantic Council at
the level of Foreign Ministers for consultations
and exchange of information on developments in
the Gulf.
22 August
The legislature of the German Democratic Repub-
lic votes in favour of the unification of the GDR
with the Federal Republic of Germany on 3 Octo-
ber 1990 and agrees to hold elections in the unified
country on 2 December 1990.
4 September
The nine member countries of the Western Euro-
pean Union agree on guidelines for the coordina-
tion of their naval operations in the Gulf region in
order to reinforce the international embargo
against Iraq. A number of WEU and other coun-
tries send forces to the area.
5-8 September
NATO Secretary General Manfred Worner visits
the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic for discus-
sions with the President, Prime Minister and Presi-
dent of the Parliament.
7 September
Consultations continue in the North Atlantic
Council on political, military and economic devel-
opments in the Gulf in the framework of the
harmonisation of allied policies and the commit-
ment of the Allies to work for the application of
United Nations resolutions in relation to the Gulf
crisis.
10 September
The United States Secretary of State James Baker
briefs a special meeting of the North Atlantic
Council in Ministerial session on the outcome
of the US-Soviet summit meeting on the Gulf
crisis.
12 September
In a statement issued on the occasion of the signing
of the ``Two Plus Four Treaty'' in Moscow, the
Alliance welcomes this historic agreement which
paves the way for the unification of Germany and
its return to full sovereignty.
13-15 September
NATO Secretary General Manfred Worner on his
first visit to Poland addresses the Sejm on the
historic opportunities for creating a durable order
of peace and prosperity in Europe based on cooper-
ation and friendship.
14 September
Initiation of Allied consultations in NATO's
Special Consultative Group on future negotiations
on short-range nuclear forces as called for in the
London Declaration.
In a statement condemning the forced entry by
Iraqi soldiers into the residences of NATO embas-
sies in Kuwait, the Alliance calls upon Iraq to free
those seized and to refrain from further aggressive
acts.
24 September-
19 October
CSCE Meeting on the Mediterranean, Palma de
Mallorca.
1-2 October
CSCE Conference of Foreign Ministers in New
York passes resolution condemning Iraqi aggession
against Kuwait.
3 October
On the day of German unification the North
Atlantic Council marks the occasion by a special
meeting and welcomes the united country as a full
member of the Alliance.
15 October
Mikhail Gorbachev is awarded the 1990 Nobel
Peace Prize.
23 October
Mr. Petre Roman, Prime Minister of Romania,
is received at NATO Headquarters by Secretary
General Manfred Worner.
25-26 October
Visit to NATO by First Deputy Minister of Defence
and Chief of the Soviet General Staff, General
M.A. Moiseyev.
26 October
Dr. Lajos Fur, Defence Minister of the Republic
of Hungary, visits NATO.
15 November
Mr. Luben Gotsev, Foreign Minister of Hungary,
is received at NATO Headquarters by Secretary
General Manfred Worner.
17 November
CSCE negotiators adopt the ``Vienna Document''
on Confidence- and Security-Building Measures
(CSBMs).
19 November
In the framework of the CSCE Summit Meeting in
Paris, the 22 member states of NATO and the
Warsaw Treaty Organisation sign a major Treaty
on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe and
publish a Joint Declaration on non-aggression.
21 November
CSCE Heads of State and Government publish the
Charter of Paris for a New Europe and endorse
the adoption of the Vienna Document on Confi-
dence- and Security-Building Measures (CSBMs).
22-25 November
NATO Secretary General Manfred Worner visits
Hungary.
26-28 November
The North Atlantic Assembly meeting in London
accords associate delegate status to parliamen-
tarians from the Soviet Union, Bulgaria, Czecho-
slovakia, Hungary and Poland.
6-7 December
Ministerial meeting of the Defence Planning Com-
mittee and the Nuclear Planning Group in Brus-
sels. Defence Ministers support UN Resolution 678
demanding that Iraqi forces withdraw from
Kuwait by January 1991. They review progress in
developing a new strategic concept for NATO and
other steps being taken to adapt NATO forces to
the new strategic environment in Europe.
10 December
Lech Walesa is elected President of Poland.
11 December
Albania's Communist Party anounces the legalisa-
tion of political opposition parties after 45 years of
one-party dictatorship.
13 December
Romanian Secretary of State for Defence, General
Vasile Ionel visits NATO.
15 December
At a Summit Meeting in Rome EC Leaders open
Intergovernmental Conferences on Economic and
Monetary Union and Political Union.
17-18 December
Ministerial meeting of the North Atlantic Council
in Brussels. Foreign Ministers review progress
made since the July Summit Meeting in fulfilling
the objectives of the London Declaration and issue
a statement on the Gulf Crisis.
20 December
Soviet Foreign Minister Edouard Schevardnadze
resigns, warning of the risks of renewed dictator-
ship in the Soviet Union.
1991
2 January
NATO deploys aircraft of the ACE Mobile Force
(AMF) to south east Turkey in an operational
role.
8 January
Soviet troops are deployed around the Lithuanian
capital to enforce mandatory conscription.
9 January
At a Geneva meeting between the US and Iraqi
Foreign ministers, Iraq maintains its refusal to
withdraw its forces from Kuwait.
11 January
NATO issues a statement urging Soviet authorities
to refrain from using force and intimidation in the
Baltic Republics.
15 January -
8 February
CSCE Experts' Meeting on Peaceful Settlement of
Disputes in Valetta proposes establishment of Dis-
pute Settlement Mechanism.
17 January
Coalition forces launch air attacks against Iraq at
the beginning of the Gulf War, following Iraq's
refusal to withdraw from Kuwait in accordance
with UN Security Council Resolutions.
11 February
Eighty-five per cent of those voting in a Lithuanian
plebiscite favour moves towards independence.
18 February
WEU Secretary General Wim van Eekelen visits
NATO for discussions with NATO Secretary Gen-
eral Manfred Worner in the framework of on-
going consultations on the development of the
European Security Identity and cooperation be-
tween NATO and the WEU.
19 February
An eleventh-hour Soviet peace plan for averting
the Gulf War falls short of Allied demands for an
unconditional withdrawal of Iraqi forces.
24 February
Coalition forces begin ground offensive into
Kuwait.
25 February
Representatives of the six countries of the Warsaw
Pact convene in Budapest to announce the dissolu-
tion of its military structure. The Warsaw Pact
Committee of Defence Ministers, its Joint Com-
mand, and its Military, Scientific and Technical
Council are disbanded.
27 February
Czechoslovak Foreign Minister Jiri Dienstbier
visits NATO.
28 February
Coalition forces liberate Kuwait. US President
George Bush suspends allied coalition combat op-
erations. Iraq accepts unconditionally all 12 UN
resolutions relating to the withdrawal of its forces
from Kuwait.
3 March
In referendums held in Estonia and Latvia, votes
favour independence by 77 per cent and 73 per
cent, respectively.
4 March
The Soviet legislature ratifies the Treaty permit-
ting German unification, formally ending the
authority of the quadripartite arrangements
concerning Germany introduced after World War
II.
6 March
NATO's Allied Mobile Force is withdrawn from
Turkey following the end of the Gulf War.
13 and 26 March
Completion of United States withdrawal of
intermediate-range nuclear forces (Pershing 2 and
Cruise missiles) from Europe in accordance with
the INF Treaty.
21 March
Visit to NATO by the President of the Czech
and Slovak Federal Republic, Vaclav Havel.
President Havel addresses the North Atlantic
Council.
31 March
Formal dissolution of the military structures of the
Warsaw Pact.
15 April
Inauguration in London of the European Bank for
Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), estab-
lished to assist Eastern European countries and
the Soviet Union in developing democracy and a
market economy.
23-24 April
Visit by the Chairman of NATO's Military Commit-
tee, General Vigleik Eide, to the Czech and Slovak
Federal Republic.
25-26 April
Conference on The Future of European Security
in Prague sponsored jointly by the Foreign Minis-
ter of the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic and
the Secretary General of NATO.
29 April
NATO's annual Atlantic Award is presented
posthumously to Senator Giovanni Malagodi of
Italy.
30 April
Visit to NATO Headquarters by Bulgarian Prime
Minister, Dimitar Popov and Colonel General
Mutafchiev, Minister of Defence.
7 May
The Yugoslav Defence Minister declares that
his country is in a state of civil war.
12 May
Elimination by the Soviet Union of remaining
SS20 missiles in accordance with the INF Treaty.
21 May
The US House of Representatives calls for a reduc-
tion of US troop strength in Europe from 250,000
to 100,000 by 1995.
The Supreme Soviet passes a bill liberalising
foreign travel and emigration.
23 May
Visit to NATO by Poland's Defence Minister, Piotr
Kolodziejczyk.
28-29 May
Ministerial Meetings of NATO's Defence Planning
Committee and Nuclear Planning Group. Minis-
ters agree inter alia on the basis of a new NATO
force structure.
28 May-7 June
CSCE Cultural Heritage Symposium, Cracow.
1 June
US and Soviet officials report resolution of out-
standing differences on the CFE Treaty.
6-7 June
NATO Foreign Ministers meeting in Copenhagen,
issue Statements on Partnership with the Countries
of Central and Eastern Europe, NATO's Core
Security Functions in the New Europe, and the
Resolution of Problems Concerning the CFE
Treaty.
12-14 June
NATO Secretary General Manfred Worner
pays an official visit to the Republic of
Bulgaria.
19 June
Albania becomes 35th CSCE participating State.
19-20 June
Meeting of CSCE Council, Berlin. Foreign Ministers
create a CSCE Emergency Mechanism allowing for
meetings of Senior Officials to be called at short
notice subject to agreement by 13 States, and en-
dorse the Valetta Report on the Peaceful Settle-
ment for Disputes.
20 June
German legislators vote to reinstate Berlin as the
country's official capital.
25 June
Parliaments of Slovenia and Croatia proclaim inde-
pendence.
28 June
Dissolution of COMECON.
1 July
The Warsaw pact is officially disbanded in accord-
ance with a protocol calling for a ``transition to
all-European structures.''
1-19 July
CSCE Experts' Meeting on National Minorities,
Geneva.
3 July
Polish President Lech Walesa visits NATO.
4-5 July
NATO's Secretary General Manfred Worner visits
Romania.
30 July
Russian President Boris Yeltsin signs a treaty with
Lithuania recognising its independence.
30-31 July
US and Soviet Presidents proclaim their two-day
summit as opening a new era in bilateral relations
and sign a START Treaty reducing strategic nuclear
weapons.
19 August
Soviet President Gorbachev is removed from office
in a coup and replaced by an ``emergency commit-
tee''. Meeting in emergency session NATO Council
warns the Soviet Union of ``serious consequences''
if it abandons reform. Western aid programmes
are suspended.
Russian President Boris Yeltsin calls for a gen-
eral strike while loyalist tanks flying Russian flags
position themselves near the Russian parliament
building.
21 August
Ministerial meeting of the North Atlantic Council.
Foreign Ministers review the political situation in
the Soviet Union and publish a statement condemn-
ing the unconstitutional removal of President Gor-
bachev and calling for the restoration of demo-
cratic reform.
President Gorbachev returns to Moscow as
the 19 August coup collapses and its leaders are
arrested. Western leaders praise President Yeltsin's
role in resisting the coup and lift a freeze on aid to
the Soviet Union.
Romanian Foreign Minister Adrian Nastase
visits NATO.
25 August
The Soviet Union announces a wholesale purge of
the Military High Command. President Gorbachev
proposes that the Communist Party be disbanded
and resigns as its General Secretary.
26 August
President Gorbachev indicates that the demands
of secession-minded republics for independence
can no longer be resisted. EC countries agree to
establish diplomatic ties with the three Baltic
states.
28 August
President Gorbachev appoints Boris Pankin,
former Ambassador to Czechoslovakia, as Foreign
Minister, strips the KGB of its troops and orders
an investigation of its activities.
29 August
Soviet legislators vote to suspend all activities of
the Communist Party.
5 September
The Soviet Congress of Peoples Deputies, before
disbanding, agrees to hand over key powers to the
Repubics.
10 September-
4 October
Third CSCE Meeting of the Conference on the
Human Dimension, in Moscow. Estonia, Latvia
and Lithuania become participating CSCE States.
17 September
Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are admitted to the
UN.
27 September
US President Bush announces sweeping cuts in US
nuclear weapons and calls upon the Soviet Union
to do likewise. The US cuts include the destruction
of all US ground-launched tactical nuclear missiles
and the removal of nuclear cruise missiles from
submarines and warships.
6 October
Meeting in Cracow, the Foreign Ministers of
Poland, Hungary and Czechoslovakia state their
wish for their countries to be included in NATO
activities.
President Gorbachev announces the abolition of
Soviet short-range nuclear weapons and the re-
moval of all tactical nuclear weapons from ships,
submarines and land-based naval aircraft.
17 October
NATO Defence Ministers meeting in Taormina,
Italy, announce reductions in the current NATO
stockpile of sub-strategic nuclear weapons in
Europe by approximately 80 per cent.
21 October
Visit to NATO by Soviet Deputy Foreign Minister
Deryabin.
24-25 October
Seminar on Civil/Military Coordination of Air
Traffic Management at NATO with participation
from NATO and Central and Eastern European
countries.
28 October
Hungarian Prime Minister Joszef Antall visits
NATO.
30 October
The first Peace Conference on the Middle East
opens in Madrid under the joint chairmanship of
the United States and the Soviet Union.
4-15 November
CSCE Experts' Seminar on Democratic Institu-
tions, Oslo.
7-8 November
Summit Meeting of the North Atlantic Council in
Rome. Heads of State and Government publish
the Alliance's new Strategic Concept and issue the
Rome Declaration on Peace and Cooperation.
11 November
NATO Secretary General Manfred Worner
receives Polish Foreign Minister Krzystof
Skubiszewski at NATO.
12 November
Estonian Foreign Minister Lennart Meri is re-
ceived at NATO.
Bulgarian Foreign Minister Stoyan Ganev visits
NATO.
14 November
Bulgarian President Zhelev visits NATO.
25 November
Romanian Minister of National Defence Lt. Gen-
eral Nicolae Spiroiu is received at NATO.
1 December
In a referendum 90 per cent of the voters in
Ukraine opt for independence from the Soviet
Union.
8 December
Representatives of the three former Soviet Repub-
lics of Russia, Belarus and Ukraine meet in Minsk
and agree to set up a Commonwealth of Independ-
ent States to replace the Soviet Union.
9-10 December
At the Maastricht European Council, Heads of
State and Government of the EC adopt treaties
(subject to ratification) on Economic and Mon-
etary Union and Political Union.
WEU Member States also meeting in Maas-
tricht, invite members of the European Union to
accede to the WEU or to become observers, and
other European members of NATO to become
associate members of the WEU.
12-13 December
Ministerial meeting of the Defence Planning Com-
mittee in Brussels. Defence Ministers review major
changes in force structures called for in the Alli-
ance's new Strategic Concept, including substantial
reductions in troops and equipment.
13 December
First Deputy Prime Minister of Russia, Gennadij
Burbulis, visits NATO for discussions with Sec-
retary General Manfred Worner on the situation
in the Soviet Union following the foundation of
the Commonwealth of Independent States by
Russia, Ukraine and Belarus.
17 December
During talks in Moscow President Yeltsin and
President Gorbachev agree that the transition to
the Commonwealth of Independent States would
take place at the end of December 1991.
19 December
Ministerial meeting of the North Atlantic Council
in Brussels. Foreign Ministers condemn the vio-
lence in Yugoslavia and pursue initiatives taken at
the Rome Summit Meeting in November, inter
alia on NATO assistance in providing humanitarian
aid to the Soviet Union.
20 December
Inaugural meeting of the North Atlantic Cooper-
ation Council attended by Foreign Ministers and
Representatives of 16 NATO countries and 9 Cen-
tral and Eastern European countries.
21 December
Eleven of the constituent republics of the former
Soviet Union meet in Alma Ata and sign agree-
ments creating a new Commonwealth of Independ-
ent States, marking the effective end of the USSR.
25 December
President Gorbachev announces his resignation as
Soviet President and signs a Decree relinquishing
his function as Supreme Commander-in-Chief of
Soviet Forces.
1992
1 January
Boutros Boutros- Ghali of Egypt becomes Secretary
General of the United Nations on retirement of
Javier Perez de Cuellar of Peru.
6 January
Georgian rebels overthrow the Government of
Zviad Gamsakhurdia.
7-8 January
NATO participates in arrangements for airlifting
EC humanitarian assistance to Moscow and St
Petersburg in aircraft provided by the Canadian
and German governments.
8-10 January
Meeting of CSCE Senior Officials, Prague.
10 January
At the first meeting of an informal High Level
Working Group established by the North Atlantic
Cooperation Council to discuss ratification and
implementation of the CFE Treaty, agreement is
reached on a phased approach for bringing the
CFE Treaty into force.
22-23 January
A 47-nation international coordinating conference
in Washington on assistance to the former Soviet
Union, sponsored by the United States, is attended
by NATO's Secretary General Manfred Worner and
representatives of other international organisa-
tions.
28 January
In his State of the Union Address, US President
Bush proposes major new arms control and dis-
armament initiatives.
30 January
The first Summit Meeting of the 15 nation UN
Security Council is attended by President Boris
Yeltsin, President of the Russian Federation.
30-31 January
Meeting of CSCE Council of Foreign Ministers in
Prague recognises the Russian Federation as the
continuation of the legal personality of the former
Soviet Union and admits 10 former Soviet Repub-
lics as CSCE participating states.
19 February
Prime Minister of Azerbaijan Gasanov visits
NATO.
21 February
Manfred Worner, Secretary General of NATO,
visits Romania and opens a new Euro-Atlantic
Centre in Bucharest.
22-23 February
Secretary General Manfred Worner visits
Ukraine.
24-25 February
Secretary General Manfred Worner visits Russia.
26 February
The Canadian Government informs the Alliance
of its decision to cancel plans to maintain 1,100
Canadian forces in Europe after 1994, but con-
firms its intention to fulfil other commitments to
the Alliance and to its Integrated Military Struc-
ture.
The North Atlantic Council, in a Statement on
Yugoslavia, appeals to all parties to respect cease-
fire arrangements in order to allow the deployment
of a UN peace-keeping force.
27 February-
24 March
Mission of experts sponsored by the Medical Work-
ing Group of the Washington Coordinating Con-
ference on Assistance to the Commonwealth of
Independent States visits 10 cities on board a
NATO Boeing 707 to assess medical needs.
5 March
Foreign Ministers of Denmark, Estonia, Finland,
Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland,
Russia and Sweden meeting in Copenhagen, an-
nounce the formation of the Council of Baltic Sea
States.
10 March
Extraordinary Meeting of the North Atlantic
Cooperation Council. Foreign Ministers and
Representatives of the NACC countries publish a
Work Plan for Dialogue, Partnership and Cooper-
ation.
11 March
President of the Italian Republic Francesco
Cossiga visits NATO.
11-12 March
Secretary General Manfred Worner visits Poland
and opens a Seminar on ``Security in Central
Europe''.
13-16 March
NATO Secretary General Manfred Worner visits
the Baltic States at the invitation of the Govern-
ments of Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania.
24 March
Opening of Fourth CSCE Follow-Up Meeting in
Helsinki. Croatia, Georgia and Slovenia become
CSCE participating States.
Signature of Open Skies agreement permitting
overflights of national territory on a reciprocal
basis.
1 April
NATO Defence Ministers meet with Cooperation
Partners and identify areas for further cooperation
in defence-related matters.
8-10 April
NATO Economics Colloquium on External Econ-
omic Relations of the Central and Eastern Euro-
pean countries.
10 April
First Meeting of the NATO Military Committee in
Cooperation Session with Chiefs of Defence and
Chiefs of General Staff of Central and Eastern
European States.
29 April
Appointment of US General John M. Shalikashvili
to succeed General John R. Galvin as Supreme
Allied Commander, Europe.
30 April
NATO's Naval On-Call Force for the Mediterranean
is replaced by a Standing Naval Force Mediter-
ranean (STANAVFORMED).
4 May
Visit to NATO by Japanese Minister of State for
Defence, Mr. Sohei Miyashita.
7 May
Meeting of Russian Secretary of State Gennady
Burbulis with Acting Secretary General of NATO
Amedeo de Franchis at NATO Headquarters.
11 May
Visit of the Foreign Ministers of Estonia, Latvia
and Lithuania to NATO Headquarters.
11-12 May
CEAC Seminar with cooperation partners at
NATO Headquarters on civil/military coordina-
tion of air traffic management.
15 May
Agreements signed at the fifth Summit Meeting
of the leaders of the Commonwealth of Independ-
ent States in Tashkent include the apportionment of
rights and obligations between the 8 former Soviet
states concerned with respect to the CFE Treaty.
20-22 May
NATO Defence Conversion Seminar with cooper-
ation partners.
21 May
First formal meeting of the North Atlantic Council
with the Council of the Western European Union
at NATO Headquarters.
26-27 May
Ministerial Meetings of NATO's Defence Planning
Committee and Nuclear Planning Group. Defence
Ministers discuss NATO support for CSCE peace-
keeping activities.
2 June
In a national referendum Danish voters reject the
Maastricht Treaties on political and monetary
union by 50.7 to 49.3 per cent.
4 June
NATO Foreign Ministers, meeting in Ministerial
Session in Oslo, announce their readiness to sup-
port conditionally peace-keeping activities under
the responsibility of the CSCE on a case-by-case
basis. Foreign Ministers also issue statements on
the crisis in the territory of the former Yugosla-
via and on the crisis centered on Nagorno-
Karabakh.
5 June
Foreign Ministers and Representatives of the coun-
tries participating in the NACC, meeting in Oslo,
consult on regional conflicts and other major secu-
rity issues. Georgia and Albania are welcomed as
members of the NACC. Finland attends as ob-
server.
The Final Document issued at the conclusion of
an Extraordinary Conference held in Oslo in con-
junction with these meetings formally establishes
the obligations under the CFE Treaty of the 8
countries of the former Soviet Union with territory
in the area of application of the Treaty.
11-12 June
Seminar with cooperation partners conducted by
NATO's Verification Coordinating Committee on
implementation of the CFE Treaty.
16 June
Agreement is reached by US President Bush and
Russian President Yeltsin to cut nuclear warheads
on strategic missiles significantly beyond the limits
of the START Treaty.
1-3 July
High Level Seminar on Defence Policy and Man-
agement at NATO Headquarters, attended by
officials from 30 allied and cooperation partner
countries.
2 July
The United States notifies its Allies of the complet-
ion of the withdrawal from Europe of land-based
nuclear artillery shells, LANCE missile warheads
and nuclear depth bombs, in accordance with the
initiative announced on 27 September 1991, as well
as the removal of all tactical nuclear weapons
from US surface ships and attack submarines.
8 July
Visit to NATO by Mr. Leonid Kravchuk, President
of Ukraine.
10 July
At the conclusion of the Helsinki CSCE Follow-Up
Conference at Summit Level, leaders of the 51
participating nations approve a Final Document
(``The Challenges of Change'') addressing, inter
alia, support for CSCE peace-keeping activities by
NATO and other international organisations.
The North Atlantic Council in Ministerial Ses-
sion in Helsinki agrees on a NATO maritime opera-
tion in the Adriatic in coordination and cooper-
ation with the operation decided by the WEU, to
monitor compliance with UN sanctions imposed
on Serbia and Montenegro by Security Council
Resolutions 713 and 757.
16 July
WEU member countries meet in Rome with repre-
sentatives of Denmark, Greece, Iceland, Ireland,
Norway, and Turkey, to discuss steps towards
enlargement.
16-18 July
Official visit to Hungary by the Secretary General
of NATO Mr. Manfred Worner.
17 July
The CFE Treaty, signed on 19 November 1990,
enters into force provisionally, allowing verifica-
tion procedures to be implemented.
28 July
Signing in Naples of NATO-Spanish coordination
agreement on air defence.
26-28 August
London Conference on Yugoslavia.
2 September
The North Atlantic Council agrees on measures to
make available Alliance resources in support of
UN, CSCE and EC efforts to bring about peace in
the former Yugoslavia, including the provision of
resources for the protection of humanitarian relief
and support for UN monitoring of heavy weapons.
3 September
An Italian relief plane is shot down west of Sarajevo
in Bosnia-Hercegovina.
8 September
Czechoslovak Foreign Minister Jozef Moravcik
visits NATO.
12-13 September
UN begins monitoring of heavy weapons in
Bosnia-Hercegovina. NATO Allies express readi-
ness to support the UN in this endeavour.
20 September
In a national referendem French voters approve
the Maastricht Treaty on European Political and
Monetary Union with 50.82 per cent for the Treaty
and 49.18 per cent against.
22 September
The CSCE Forum for Security Cooperation (FSC),
established at the Helsinki Summit in July 1992, is
inaugurated in Vienna.
UN General Assembly votes to exclude Serbia and
Montenegro and rules that Belgrade must make an
application to be admitted to the United Nations.
23 September
Visit to NATO by Lithuanian President, Vytautas
Landsbergis.
29 September
The Swedish Foreign Minister, Margaretha af
Ugglas, is received at NATO by Secretary General
Manfred Worner.
Foreign Minister of Argentina, Guido di Tella,
visits NATO for discussions with Secretary Gen-
eral Manfred Worner.
1 October
US Senate ratifies START Treaty cutting US and
Russian nuclear forces by one-third.
2 October
NATO's new Allied Command Europe (ACE)
Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC) is inaugurated at
Bielefeld, Germany, by General Shalikashvili
(SACEUR).
7 October
Visit to NATO by Poland's Prime Minister, Mrs.
Hanna Suchocka.
14 October
WEU Permanent Council meets at Ambassadorial
level with eight Central and Eastern European
countries.
The North Atlantic Council authorises the use of a
NATO airborne early warning force (AWACS) to
monitor the UN-mandated ``no-fly'' zone in effect
over Bosnia-Hercegovina.
20-21 October
NATO Ministers of Defence meeting in the Nuclear
Planning Group (NPG) at Gleneagles, Scotland,
focus on the implications of the Alliance's role in
peacekeeping activities for NATO's collective de-
fence planning. New political guidelines providing
for reduced reliance on nuclear weapons are also
adopted.
28 October
Finnish President Mauno Koivisto meets with
NATO Secretary General Manfred Worner in
Brussels.
1-4 November
Secretary General Manfred Worner visits Belarus,
Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.
3 November
Governor Bill Clinton, the Democratic candidate,
wins US Presidential election.
9 November
CFE Treaty officially enters into force after rati-
fication by all 29 signatory states.
