Text File

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.