Boozman, Ross and their colleagues discussed a wide array of issues with their counterparts from the legislative bodies of the other twenty-six member NATO countries and twenty-two observing countries during the meetings.  Additionally, for the first time in NATO history, the Palestinian Legislative Council was granted observer status to the meetings, as were Israel, Algeria, Jordan, and Mauritania.  Issues discussed among the forty-eight represented counties included global terrorism, the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, and concern for disproportionate use of force in Uzbekistan.  They also discussed trans-atlantic relations with China, including the United States’ opposition to lifting the arms sales embargo against China.     

“The arms embargo against China is one of the most important issues facing NATO as an organization,” said Boozman who delivered a paper on trans-atlantic relations with China to the assembly’s Economics and Security Committee.  “The European Union has wavered back and forth on lifting the embargo and at these meetings I had the opportunity to forcibly make the case against lifting the ban during the presentation on NATO’s relations with China.  The reality of the situation is that there are only two countries that China would want to use these weapons against – Taiwan and the U.S. – so it is imperative that we encourage our European allies to keep this embargo in place.”

“In this post 9-11 era, our world has changed, our enemy has changed, and our approach must change,” said Ross.  “Prevention is the key tactic in protecting the United States and the world against future terrorist attacks.  The essential element to the atomic bomb, highly enriched uranium, is used and stored at civilian research reactors around the world, including 50 sites in and around Europe, many of which are poorly secured.  The United States and Europe must recommit themselves to confronting security challenges in the spirit of international cooperation to keep the world safe from nuclear terrorism.”   

After attending the NATO meetings in Slovenia, the delegation traveled to Landstuhl Military Hospital in Germany where they visited wounded U.S. troops.   

“Visiting our troops is always an important part of these trips,” said Boozman.  “Despite their injuries, these brave men and women remain in good spirits.  I appreciated the opportunity to see them, hear their concerns and let them know that everyone back home is extremely grateful for their sacrifice.”

“It is critical that the troops know we support them 100% in their efforts abroad,” stated Ross.  “These brave men and women have sacrificed so much to serve their country in the name of freedom, and it was important for me to visit with them, discuss their concerns and show my appreciation for their valiant efforts.”  

Boozman and Ross are members of the NATO PA, which is an inter-parliamentary organization of legislators from the twenty-six member countries of NATO and twenty-two associate countries.  NATO PA has been meeting since 1955 to build support for the NATO Alliance within the national legislatures and to provide recommendations to the Secretary General of NATO and the North Atlantic Council.  Many of the reforms in NATO have first come from the Assembly.  It also provides a way for legislators in member countries to stay informed about changes in NATO and about military reforms in the twenty-two associate countries.

Boozman has been a member of NATO PA since 2003 when Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL) appointed him to be a U.S. delegate to the organization.  Ross, nominated by Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), and appointed to NATO PA by Speaker Hastert in March, was attending his first meeting of the organization.

For more information on the North American Treaty Organization Parliamentary Assembly, please visit http://www.nato-pa.int.