DATE=11/6/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-241319
TITLE=SENATE-NATO EXPANSION (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=DAVID SWAN
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  THE HEAD OF NATO'S PARLIAMENTARY GROUP IS URGING THE 
ALLIANCE TO INVITE SLOVENIA TO JOIN, BUT  NOT  TO CONSIDER ANY 
OTHER NEW MEMBERS JUST YET.  V-O-A'S DAVID SWAN HAS DETAILS FROM 
CAPITOL HILL. 

TEXT:  REPUBLICAN SENATOR WILLIAM ROTH, THE OUTGOING CHAIRMAN OF 
THE NORTH ATLANTIC ASSEMBLY, SAYS NATO SHOULD FOLLOW UP ON ITS 
HISTORIC EASTWARD EXPANSION.  THREE FORMER WARSAW PACT STATES -- 
POLAND, THE CZECH REPUBLIC AND HUNGARY -- WILL BE FORMALLY 
INDUCTED AT THE ALLIANCE'S WASHINGTON SUMMIT IN APRIL.  IN A NEW 
REPORT (ISSUED FRIDAY), MR. ROTH SAYS NATO SHOULD ALSO USE THAT 
MEETING TO INVITE SLOVENIA TO OPEN TALKS ON ADMISSION. 

                         // ROTH ACT //

         ITS READY, ITS ENTITLED TO BE INVITED, AND IT DOES MAKE 
         IT CLEAR THAT THE OPEN-DOOR POLICY IS IN EFFECT.  I 
         THINK THAT'S CRITICALLY IMPORTANT.

              // END ACT //                        

SLOVENIA'S GOVERNMENT IS ANXIOUS TO ENTER NATO.  ITS PRIME 
MINISTER (JANEZ DRNOVSEK) SAYS HE RECEIVED BROAD SUPPORT FOR THE 
REQUEST DURING A VISIT TO WASHINGTON THIS WEEK.

BUT OTHER STATES ALSO WANT TO JOIN, ESPECIALLY ROMANIA -- WHOSE 
BID WON STRONG SUPPORT FROM FRANCE AND OTHER ALLIES LAST YEAR.  
SENATOR ROTH'S REPORT DOES  NOT  RULE OUT ANY POTENTIAL NEW 
MEMBER.  BUT HE SAYS ROMANIA IS NOT FULLY PREPARED.

                         // ROTH ACT //

         THEY CERTAINLY HAVE MADE GREAT PROGRESS IN ESTABLISHING 
         A DEMOCRACY.  THEY HAVE DONE A GREAT DEAL IN THE 
         MILITARY.  I THINK THEY HAVE SOME PROBLEMS WITH THEIR 
         ECONOMY AT THIS TIME.

                          // END ACT //

THE SENATE OVERWHELMINGLY APPROVED THE ADMISSION OF THE FIRST 
THREE NEW NATO COUNTRIES.  AT THE SAME TIME, A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER
OF LAWMAKERS CALLED FOR A THREE-YEAR FREEZE ON ANY NEXT ROUND OF 
EXPANSION.  HOWEVER, MR. ROTH BELIEVES THE SENATE WILL GO ALONG 
IF NATO CHOOSES SLOVENIA TO BE ITS NEXT POST-COLD WAR MEMBER. 
(SIGNED)

NEB/DS/JO

06-Nov-98 2:06 PM EST (1906 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.