SENSE OF CONGRESS ON LEVEL OF UNITED STATES FORCES PERMANENTLY STATIONED IN EUROPE IN SUPPORT OF NATO

SEC. 1002. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON LEVEL OF UNITED STATES FORCES PERMANENTLY STATIONED IN EUROPE IN SUPPORT OF NATO (a) Findings.— The Congress makes the following findings with respect to the level of United States military forces permanently stationed in Europe: 101 STAT. 1141 (1) The agreement in principle between the United States and the Soviet Union to eliminate all intermediate-range nuclear missiles has important implications for the defense posture of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization alliance. (2) The presence of United States forces in Europe constitutes the most visible and meaningful evidence of the continuing strong commitment of the United States to the integrity of the alliance. (3) NATO Defense Ministers stated in May 1987 that the “continued presence of United States forces at existing levels in Europe plays an irreplaceable role in the defense of North America as well as Europe”. (b) Sense of Congress.— (1)In light of the findings in subsection (a), it is the sense of Congress that— (A) the stationing in Europe of United States military forces in support of NATO at the level of military personnel permanently stationed in Europe in support of NATO on the date of the enactment of this Act plays an indispensable role for peace and deterrence; and (B) the commitment of United States forces should be continued at that level (assuming all existing basing agreements remain in effect). (2) It is further the sense of Congress that it would not be inconsistent with the sense of Congress expressed in paragraph (1) if the actual number of United States military personnel permanently stationed in Europe in support of NATO at any time falls below the level of such personnel on the date of the enactment of this Act because of administrative fluctuations or if such level is reduced following a determination by the President that national security considerations require such a reduction.