ABSTRACT
One of the consequences of NATO's decision of December 1979 to modernize its long-range theatre nuclear forces was that it focused unprecedented public attention on the role of nuclear weapons in NATO strategy. Proposals for strengthening NATO's conventional forces are far from new. The Helsinki Final Act of 1975, in particular, was of enormous significance to the Soviet Union, since it gave a degree of legitimacy to the Soviet position that had hitherto been lacking. Creating a defence system that would be less effective than it might be is not the most appropriate way of dealing with an adversary who appears oblivious to these broader considerations and intent on creating a system capable of applying maximum force as efficiently as possible. It is understandable, though, that many American analysts and officials become rather impatient with the Federal Republic. There has been considerable criticism in Europe of NATO’s reliance on short-range battlefield nuclear weapons. .
