create the common institutions needed to cement that growing unity. Our purpose is not merely to assure pur survival but to demonstrate anew to all men everywhere the achievements of which free men are capable when united in hope and confidence. Our end goal is the establishment of unified free political institutions to enable the Atlantic Community to deal adequately with the problems of today-problems with which no existing nation-state can cope successfully alone. Before his death, Christian A. Herter, former Secretary of State and first Chairman of the Atlantic Council, described in one of his last public statements the logical implications of the fact that though now we all belong to separate nations, we are in truth a single community. Mr. Herter said: I am convinced that in the long-run neither military alliances nor customs unions will survive without the cement of political institutions. This does not necessarily mean the exact type of union which we created here in the United States. It may well be something new. It must be realistically based upon the needs of today's and tomorrow's world and, I believe, it will have to be based upon some form of federal principles. The ties may be looser and more flexible as between different nations. The roots of unity may have to grow slowly and deeply before the tree grows to full height, but we must never lose sight of our objective or tire in our pursuit of it. |