Vice Secretary General of NATO, Marcello Guidi offers his personal reflections about the management of NATO by Lord Carrington, whose mandate has come to an end. Guidi discusses the personal characteristics and leadership style of Carrington and emphasizes his special fondness for Italy.

Both Guidi and Carrington share the concern that NATO's High-level Task Force has come to a deadlock in regard to conventional disarmament. Carrington advocates for direct involvement at the ministerial level to end the standstill.

The letter addresses developments in the relationship between the two German states and the prospect of reunification. It describes the political climate in West Germany towards reunification as hesitant, if not reluctant, and voices concerns over the destabilizing potential of such efforts.

NATO's Deputy Secretary General Marcello Guidi writes to Foreign Minister Andreotti at the end of his term volunteering his rather optimistic views on the developments in East-West relations and NATO during the past three years. Key topics include disarmament, the German question, and the future role of NATO.