Protocol Modifying and Completing the Brussels Treaty (Paris, October 23, 1954) In connection with its acceptance into NATO, the Federal Republic of Germany voluntarily renounced the development, production, and use of atomic weapons. This was not difficult, since a debate on the consequences of the atomic age had already broken out at home. The debate was fueled not least by changes in the American strategy for defending Western Europe. The U.S. had had so-called tactical nuclear weapons at its disposal since 1953. They were supposed to serve as deterrents against a Soviet attack but would also be deployed in the event that deterrence failed. After various studies and maneuvers, it became increasingly clear to both politicians and the population that the deployment of these weapons would turn Germany into a nuclear battlefield and result in hundreds of thousands of deaths.
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page 1 of 4 His Majesty the King of the Belgians, the President of the French Republic, President of the French Union, the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, the President of the Italian Republic, Her Royal Highness the Grand Duchess of Luxembourg, Her Majesty the Queen of the Netherlands, Her Majesty the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Her other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth, Signatories of the Protocol Modifying and Completing the Brussels Treaty, Have appointed [ . . . ], Have agreed as follows: Part I – Armaments not to be manufactured Article 1 The High Contracting Parties, members of Western European Union, take note of and record their agreement with the Declaration of the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany (made in London on 3rd October, 1954, and annexed hereto as Annex I) in which the Federal Republic of Germany undertook not to manufacture in its territory atomic, biological and chemical weapons. The types of armaments referred to in this Article are defined in Annex II. These armaments shall be more closely defined and the definitions brought up to date by the Council of Western European Union. Article 2 The High Contracting Parties, members of W¬¬estern European Union, also take note of and record their agreement with the undertaking given by the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany in the same Declaration that certain further types of armaments will not be manufactured in the territory of the Federal Republic of Germany, except that if in accordance with the needs of the armed forces a recommendation for an amendment to, or cancellation of, the content of the list of these armaments is made by the competent Supreme Commander of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and if the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany submits a request accordingly, such an amendment or cancellation may be made by a resolution of the Council of Western European Union passed by a two-thirds majority. The types of armaments referred to in this Article are listed in Annex III. Part II – Armaments to be controlled Article 3 When the development of atomic, biological and chemical weapons in the territory on the mainland of Europe of the High Contracting Parties who have not given up the right to produce them has passed the experimental stage and effective production of them has started there, the level of stocks that the High Contracting Parties concerned will be allowed to hold on the mainland of Europe shall be decided by a majority vote of the Council of Western European Union. Article 4 Without prejudice to the foregoing Articles, the types of armaments listed in Annex IV will be controlled to the extent and in the manner laid down in Protocol No. IV.
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