In power, the Social Democrats had actively supported NATO policies.

Then, starting last month, came a series of moves that reflected a sharp change in NATO policy.

The logic of the new NATO policy, and of the situation in Bosnia, requires two further steps.

The hon. Gentleman's supplementary question ignored the fact that we are talking about NATO policy.

Does he recall that resulting NATO policy has been successful?

Russia started off assailing NATO policy from the sidelines.

A further problem, the official said, is the bipartisan American insistence on controlling NATO policy.

That council was intended to give Moscow a consulting role in NATO policies.

"NATO policy was and still is based on a plan to initiate nuclear weapons use in case of attack from the Warsaw Pact," he said.

But as to the second part, "no early first use" is not declared NATO policy.