"There cannot be unity in defence and disunity inforeign policy." These words, uttered approxi nately aquarter of a century ago, by NATO's "three wise men," holdtrue today, as they did in 1956.What these words allude to,is the very essence of what holds NATO together. This isthe practice of political consultation. Political consultationis the most important factor for the continuation andgrowth of the alliance. Indeed, it is the sine qua non of thealliance which was created to counter imminent threatfrom outside forces to the territorlal integrity and thewell-being of its member states.Political consultation and collective discussion is notmerely talking about various policy options; it is the meansthrough which harmonious, and perhaps common, lines ofpolicy can be agreed upon.