Secretariats, or can delegates in Vienna from NATO nations serve this function? Can a diplomat or officer serving his nation also "think NATO" given his or her many responsibilities? Nevertheless, by way of food for thought, consideration could be given to: • Mutual representation at headquarters • Permanent NATO representation at security-related OSCE deliberations • NATO input to the OSCE High Level planning Group in Vienna, responsible for peacekeeping planning • OSCE liaison at the Partnership Co-ordination Cell in Mons, Belgium • Joint review of work plans (co-ordination of seminars on similar topics) Politically, the argument will arise that if NATO is represented in OSCE as an institution then other organisations will seek the same status despite the objections of some participating States. This is for the OSCE as a whole to decide. But given the OSCE vision of a community working towards common democratic values subject to monitoring, the more are drawn closer to the heart of the organisation the better. Operation Joint Endeavour is the largest military operation ever undertaken by the Alliance. It will no doubt prove a very demanding mission. But the historic opportunities it provides for a real and functioning partnership between NATO and OSCE should not be left to temporary ad hoc measures. In this way the concept of mutually-reinforcing institutions can be put on a firmer basis, for this is the real answer to European security challenges both today and into the next millennium. About the Author Bruce George MP is Vice Chairman of the House of Commons Select Committee on Defence, Rapporteur of General Committee on Security and Political Affairs of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, and former Chairman of the Political Committee of the North Atlantic Assembly. OSCE ODIHR Bulletin Vol. 4 No. 3 5