Charles Skelton: “Times have changed. Situations have changed. But I think one fact that is very important is the fact that NATO is an…”

“Times have changed. Situations have changed. But I think one fact that is very important is the fact that NATO is an ongoing, successful organization, and it has recently expanded, and we should take advantage of that expansion and the friendship that is growing as a result of the new members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. This amendment requires a reevaluation of the current posture of American forces in Europe. It is designed only for the American forces, and it calls for a reevaluation. I think there are a number of things we could and should consider. To begin with, I think it is important for us to remember that stationing troops in Germany is a very positive thing and that we should not rush to judgment just to move troops from Germany. But having said that, I think it is a good idea to take a look at the eastern countries. Poland, our chairman mentioned, and to their great credit, side by side, they have their special forces there, theirs with ours, in Iraq. Consequently, I think we should take advantage of that new-found friendship and that new-found military cooperation with that country and, of course, others in the region that are new to the NATO organizations.”