To this end we must maintain a strong defence and a firm, reliable posture of deterrence. Even with the most optimistic outcome of developments in East-West relations, we will face, for many years to come, a formidable and unpredictable military power as our neighbour. We cannot build our own security on the assumption of his permanent goodwill. Indeed, we owe it to our peoples, and to history, to sustain our effort to make the recourse to military strength, to preserve stability and deterrence. We need to provide conventional and nuclear weapons at a level which supports the indivisibility of our Alliance security.
Nuclear weapons are the ultimate guarantor of a war prevention strategy.
Conventional weapons have a bad historical record in this respect. Time and again, we have demonstrated this in deeds. Both our defence plans and our approach to arms control are predicted on this fundamental principle. A healthy transatlantic relationship is today, as it has always been, the cornerstone of both our security and a model for human aspirations. We must continue to look afresh at the distribution of roles, risks and responsibilities within our Alliance and encourage the European pillar to evolve in line with Western Europe's emerging political and economic strength.