European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - December 2, 1988, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 28 news briefs the stars and stripes Nasa Hopes for Clear skies As Atlantis Waits for launch Cape canaveral Fla. " in terms of the Quality of the forces As measured breach member s ability to meet its annual nato Force goals Ecsi Germany the United kingdom and the United states Al were ranked High. At inc other end of the scale were Belgium Den Mark Greece Luxembourg Portugal and Turkey. The report noted that nato s nuclear deterrent is provided by the strategic and theater nuclear forces of the United Stales and the United kingdom. France which docs not participate in nato s military Struc Ture also maintains nuclear forces that contribute Lonato s Overall deterrence inc report said. The report also cited seven countries that bore financial and political burdens associated with nuclear forces. Belgium Germany Greece Italy the nether lands Turkey and the United kingdom provided either delivery systems or facilities for . Nuclear forces.  -.  Success of the recent inf negotiations was due in Large part to the Solidarity exhibited by All members of the Alliance collectively and by the particular determination demonstrated by the five countries Belgium Germany Italy the Netherlands and the United King Dom who provided commonly funded Basing facilities for United Stales inf forces in the face of considerable pressure the report said. Bui the report also noted the declared policy of three nations Denmark Iceland and Norway not id accept nuclear weapons on their territory in peacetime. Finally the report made mention of other contributions to the Alliance that cannot be measured including the Cost of land donated for use by foreign military forces and military and Low level flying exercises  populated areas. ,.v this is particularly the Case for Germany since in addition to some 500,000 National forces the country hosts 400,000 foreign troops in peacetime in an area no larger Rev a the Bottom line is that car owners who were driving overseas with catalytic converters on their vehicles before oct. I 1987, will have to Post a Bond and buy a new converter when they return to the states  / that could Cost As much As $800 to si.000, but is necessary according to the he a because Iacre is no other Way to de Termine if the old equipment had been disabled overseas through the use of leaded full. A a f " the testing program allows car owner sin West Germany and the Netherlands to keep catalytic conveners on their vehicles and Lake advantage of unleaded fuel As Long As they have the cars tested annually and again 10 Days before ship Mentlo the states. The program is voluntary and does not affect a vehicle s Usa eur registration status Logan snid. Vehicle owners who pass the test and keep current with All re lists will be Given paperwork that must accompany a car to the port of embarkation. Vehicles without the documentation will be redlined to Alert customs officials stateside and car owners Wilt have to get a new converter ,.- car owners who  converters off while the vehicle is overseas still can. Have the original equipment reinstalled and certified upon their return to the slates. -. A  however Many vehicle owners overseas in the past few Yean have chosen 10 keep the converter on even though that technically violated previous army policy. Paige Eye Solc an army spokeswoman in Washington said the policy prior to the Start of the new program called for people going overseas to have their converters re moved for the duration of heir Tours. Those who ignored that policy and have been overseas for More than a year arc now caught by Epa regulations is sued last summer that lightened restrict Tionson importing cars into the states Etc Rote insisted the old army policy calling for. Removal of converters while overseas should have kept to a minimum the number of converter equipped vehicle sin Europe prior to the new program. If a person chose riot to follow that guidance and it turns out now that they can t get their cars approved for ship ment because of that there s Noi much we can do she said