Queen takes strong line in favour of N.A.T.O.

Press, 27 November 1980, Page 9

Queen takes strong line in favour of N.A.T.O.

NZPA Brussels The Queen discarded her traditional role' of being above politics in a speech yesterday at the headquarters of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. On the second and last day of her visit to Belgium she told a special meeting of the N.A.T.O. council that seldom in the history of iis component nations had their freedom faced greater threats. N.A.T.O. was “a unique institution,” the Queen said, adding, “Never before in history have 15 sovereign and democratic nations maintained for over 30 years a common will to unite their efforts in defence of freedom.”.

She paid tribute to the “determination and strength” of* the alliance which had enabled children to be brought up “free from fear of war and free to enjoy the rich heritage of our common

civilisation in peace and in growing prosperity.” The Queen added: "Those of us who remember the Second World War and the devastation which it brought to Europe and those of our young generation who remember the crises of the 50s and 60s in Berlin and in Eastern Europe are very conscious of the dangers which the North Atlantic countries have faced and survived because of their unity and strength. "It is for us to pass on to our children the lesson that peace and security with freedom can be ensured only at the price of constant efforts, sacrifices and solidarity,” she added. The 1980 s presented N.A.T.O. with a new problem of timely and effective consultation' on crises outside its area and "here again we must" see that the challenge is’. met,” the . Queen said. "I look forward with confidence in the. will, and;

strength of the Allies to meet all the challenges of the future.” ■■ ■ . . Earlier the Queen, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, were welcomed at N.A.T.O. headquarters by the alliance's secretary-gen-eral (Dr Joseph Luns), who paid tribute to Britain’s role and that of its armed forces in N.A.T.0., notably in the British Army of the Rhine and tlr.‘ “powerful naval contribution, a continuation of a long and glorious British tradition.” Dr Luns noted that the Queen was sovereign not only of Britain but also Canada, symbolising the close links between the Allies on both sides of the ocean. The royal couple were to dine at N.A.T.O. headquarters and visit . a number of exhibitions marking * the 150th anniversary of Belgium before returning to I London.