ABSTRACT
The opportunity to review, even briefly, some of the origins of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is one to be welcomed. It is always of importance not to lose our history, and this need applies strongly to the history of the last forty years—in particular, to the founding and early development of NATO. The formation of NATO as a major institution of the postwar world was more than fortuitous. The "Council in Permanent Session" was decreed, to be composed of ambassadors in permanent session so that there would be an on-going organ at the top of the NATO institution. A decision was also made to establish the post of Secretary General, which came to be held by a succession of distinguished and able NATO leaders. Decisions were also made at Lisbon to pursue a joint infrastructure program, which from that time on has been part of the sine qua non of NATO.
