Volker Rühe
The White Paper of the Federal Government on security and defence policy and on the development of the Bundeswehr is both a review and a programme. Based on an analysis of the situation, it presents the Federal Government's security policy concept and describes the course the armed forces will follow as they head towards the future. This is a lengthy process, consisting of two phases.
In the first phase, following the unification of Germany, the Bundeswehr had to disband the National People's Army, build up the Bundeswehr in Eastern Germany, reduce the armed forces of the united Germany by around one third and restation a considerable part of them, while at the same time orienting them to new tasks. This phase will largely have been completed this year, when the total strength of the armed forces' military personnel has been reduced to the contractually agreed ceiling of 370,000.
In the second phase, it is a question of orienting the Bundeswehr to the challenges of the future, taking account of the security environment, our increased international responsibility and the resultant mission. We must define in detail the armed forces that Germany ultimately wishes to have and retain in terms of their capabilities and target structures. Despite limited resources, the Bundeswehr must be able to perform its future tasks. In this way, it will remain a predictable factor of European stability and international cooperation.
Germany's armed forces will remain embedded in the integrated military structure of the North Atlantic Alliance, which is being extensively reformed to ensure that it remains the basis for security and stability in Europe. By unmistakably indicating that it is willing to admit new members, NATO is making a major contribution to the stabilization of Eastern Europe. Integration and cooperation are the foundations of a sensible overall concept for European stability.
Together with the armed forces of France and other European countries, the Bundeswehr is the driving force behind the establishment of a European defence. I would like to thank my counterpart François Léotard for the close coordination in formulating the French and German white papers. This underlines our endeavours to advance jointly European security and defence policy.
The accomplishments of the Bundeswehr during the years of radical change were outstanding. It is participating with great success in international peace missions. It has greatly enhanced its reputation by its activities in Cambodia, Iraq, the former Yugoslavia and Somalia. It can also be proud of its accomplishments in the unification process. As the army of unity, it has become a role model as our fatherland grows together. It gives me great pleasure to see just how appreciated our servicemen and women are because of their accomplishments both abroad and at home.
I would like to thank all military and civilian personnel for the high degree of commitment they have shown and which has benefited our Bundeswehr. This success would not have been possible without their dedication. As it heads towards the future, the Bundeswehr needs the support of all the political forces in our country.
Bonn, 5 April 1994
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