REPORTS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE EUROPEAN SECURITY AND DEFENSE IDENTITY.

SEC. 1223. REPORTS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE EUROPEAN SECURITY AND DEFENSE IDENTITY. (a) Requirement for Reports.— The Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate and the Committee on National Security of the House of Representatives in accordance with this section reports on the development of the European Security and Defense Identity (ESDI) within the NATO Alliance that would enable the Western European Union (WEU), with the consent of the NATO Alliance, to assume the political control and strategic direction of NATO assets and capabilities made available by the Alliance. (b) Reports To Be Submitted.— The reports required to be submitted under subsection (a) are as follows: (1) An initial report, submitted not later than December 15, 1998, that contains a discussion of the actions taken, and the plans for future actions, to build the European Security and Defense Identity, together with the matters required under subsection (c). (2) A semiannual report on the progress made toward establishing the European Security and Defense Identity, submitted not later than June 15 and December 15 of each year after 1998. (c) Content of Reports.— The Secretary shall include in each report under this section the following: (1) A discussion of the arrangements between NATO and the Western European Union for the release, transfer, monitoring, return, and recall of NATO assets and capabilities. (2) A discussion of the development of such planning and other capabilities by the Western European Union that are necessary to provide political control and strategic direction of NATO assets and capabilities. (3) A discussion of the development of terms of reference for the Deputy Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, with respect to the European Security and Defense Identity. (4) A discussion of the arrangements for the assignment or appointment of NATO officers to serve in two positions concurrently (commonly referred to as “dual—hatting”). 112 STAT. 2155 (5) A discussion of the development of the Combined Joint Task Force (CJTF) concept, including lessons-learned from the NATO-led Stabilization Force in Bosnia. (6) Identification within the NATO Alliance of the types of separable but not separate capabilities, assets, and support assets for Western European Union-led operations. (7) Identification of separable but not separate headquarters, headquarters elements, and command positions for command and conduct of Western European Union-led operations. (8) The conduct by NATO, at the request of and in coordination with the Western European Union, of military planning and exercises for illustrative missions. (9) A discussion of the arrangements between NATO and the Western European Union for the sharing of information, including intelligence. (10) Such other information as the Secretary considers useful for a complete understanding of the establishment of the European Security and Defense Identity within the NATO Alliance. (d) Termination of Reporting Requirement.— The requirement to submit reports under subsection (b)(2) terminates upon the submission by the Secretary under that subsection of a report in which the Secretary states that the European Security and Defense Identity has been fully established.