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North Atlantic Treaty Organization
On August 14, 1941, the President of the United States and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland met at a secret summit on board a ship at sea. They produced a Declaration of Principles now known as The Atlantic Charter, a defensive alliance of the two nations to combat the threats of Nazi Germany. The Atlantic Charter paved the way for the institution of a larger ranging alliance in Europe to fend off threats from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. On April 4, 1949, the victorious World War II allied powers convened in Washington, DC to sign the North Atlantic Treaty, also known as the Treaty of Washington. The treaty came into full force on August 24, 1949 after all member nations ratified the document. The key to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is outlined under Article 5 of the document. Article 5 states, "The Parties agree that an armed attack against one or more of them in Europe or North America shall be considered an attack against them all and consequently they agree that, if such an armed attack occurs, each of them, in exercise of the right of individual or collective self-defence recognised by Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations, will assist the Party or Parties so attacked by taking forthwith, individually and in concert with the other Parties, such action as it deems necessary, including the use of armed force, to restore and maintain the security of the North Atlantic area." Article 5 of the Washington Treaty was instituted only once since the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's inception. The Security Council convened to adopt an Article 5 declaration upon the attack of the United States on September 11, 2001. The declaration ushered in the War on Terrorism.
Organization and Leadership
Each member nation is normally represented on the North Atlantic Council by an Ambassador or Permanent Representative supported by a national delegation composed of advisers and officials who represent their country on different North Atlantic Treaty Organization committees. The Council also meets at the level of Heads of State and Heads of Government or Ministers of Foreign Affairs, and from time to time by Defense Ministers. The Secretary General is a senior international statesman nominated by the member nations both as Chairman of the North Atlantic Council, Defence Planning Committee, Nuclear Planning Group and of other senior committees, and as Secretary General of North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
Flag Data:
The NATO flag was adopted in 1954. It's dark blue field represents the Altalntic Ocean, the circle is a symbol of unity and the compass symbolizes the common direction towards peace that has been taken by the member-nations.
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