The Western European Union at the Crossroads

by Rees, G. Wyn

• ISBN13: 9780813389615
• ISBN10: 0813389615
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1998-01-01
• Publisher: Westview Pr

Summary

Surprisingly, this is the first book to be dedicated to the study of the Western European Union, even though the WEU has, for so long, represented the defense identity of Western Europe. During the Cold War, the WEU was subordinate to NATO, but since 1990 it has been seen as a potential competitor to the Atlantic Alliance. Debate has raged within the policymaking community since then, fueled by the progress in European integration and influenced by conflicts such as that in Bosnia.This book seeks to explain the development of the WEU, focusing in particular on its current role. Chapters investigate the institutional and operational development of the WEU and its proposed enlargement. G. Wyn Rees assesses the motivations of its leading membersFrance, Germany, and the United Kingdomand the progress made toward enhancing the WEU's role in the 199697 Intergovernmental Conference.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements	vii	(2)
Introduction	ix
1 The History of the WEU	1	(21)
Introduction	1	(1)
Concerting Defence Arrangements in Europe	2	(4)
The European Defence Community and the WEU	6	(4)
The Eclipse of the WEU	10	(7)
Conclusion: The WEU Fading into Obscurity?	17	(1)
References and Notes	18	(4)
2 Revitalisation in the 1980s	22	(16)
Introduction	22	(1)
US-European Relations	22	(2)
Intra-European Relations	24	(2)
The Revitalisation of the WEU	26	(3)
The Hague Platform	29	(2)
Franco-German Relations	31	(1)
`Operation Cleansweep' and the Persian Gulf Conflict	32	(2)
Conclusion	34	(1)
References and Notes	34	(4)
3 Post Cold War to Masstricht	38	(19)
Introduction	38	(1)
A Changed Environment	38	(1)
The Insecurities of Britain, France and Germany	39	(2)
The WEU as the Future Defence Framework for Europe?	41	(6)
The Inter-governmental Conference on Political Union	47	(3)
The Maastricht Endgame	50	(2)
Conclusion	52	(1)
References and Notes	53	(4)
4 Relations Between the WEU and the European Union	57	(21)
Introduction	57	(1)
The Development of the CFSP and a Common Defence	58	(3)
Enhancing the Military Capabilities of the WEU	61	(3)
Operational Tasks	64	(3)
The WEU and the Yugoslavia Crisis	67	(3)
A European Armaments Agency	70	(3)
Conclusion	73	(1)
References and Notes	73	(5)
5 Relations Between the WEU and NATO	78	(18)
Introduction	78	(1)
NATO Transformation	79	(2)
The 'Europeanisation' of NATO	81	(2)
NATO and the Use of Force	83	(2)
CJTF and an Emasculated European Capability?	85	(5)
Conclusion	90	(2)
References and Notes	92	(4)
6 The Enlargement of the WEU	96	(18)
Introduction	96	(1)
WEU Linkage to the European Union and NATO	97	(5)
The Process of WEU Enlargement	102	(4)
A `NATO First' Policy	106	(3)
Conclusion	109	(1)
References and Notes	110	(4)
7 The Inter-governmental Conference and the WEU	114	(16)
Introduction	114	(1)
Contrasting National Perspectives	115	(1)
Proposals for Reforming the CFSP	116	(2)
Tasking the WEU by the European Council	118	(3)
The Concept of Flexibility	121	(2)
The Treaty of Amsterdam	123	(2)
Conclusion	125	(1)
References and Notes	126	(4)
8 Conclusion	130	(9)
References and Notes	137	(2)
Bibliography	139	(17)
Index	156