Nonconsonant Detente and NATO.

The paper considers the nonconsonant nature of Soviet policies such as the buildup of Warsaw Pact forces far exceeding the needs for defense, while simultaneously pursuing detente on the diplomatic front. Nonconsonant detente has generated stresses within NATO possibly fostering an environment which, in the long term, will be suitable for the attainment of Soviet objectives in Europe. The Alliance must oppose this undermining of its members political sovereignty if these states are to preserve the right to make policy decisions free from external coercion.