ACCESSION NUMBER:00000
FILE ID:96071005.WWE
DATE:07/10/96
TITLE:10-07-96  NATO EXPANSION MEANS SAFE AND PROSPEROUS EUROPE

TEXT:
(Panel members present views and opinions) (390)
By Vance Phillips
USIA Staff Writer

Washington -- North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) expansion will
bolster economic and democratic reform efforts in Central and Eastern
Europe, resulting in a safer and more prosperous continent, according
to a distinguished panel of speakers.

In a July 11 briefing sponsored by the New Atlantic Initiative (NAI),
American Enterprise Institute senior fellow Jeane Kirkpatrick, said
NATO serves as a "invaluable model of democracy" to Europe. She said
interaction of NATO members and non-members provides the "framework
for observing and practicing democracy."

Kirkpatrick stressed that "if NATO is to survive, it must continue to
meet the needs of modern world society, that is, success in Bosnia."

Peter Rodman, the director of the National Security Programs, Nixon
Center for Peace and Freedom, said "lack of urgency in Central Europe
and strength of the first wave of NATO member candidates" are two "key
arguments" against NATO expansion.

Rodman said "lack of urgency" may result in a delay in the expansion
process. This in turn may result in non-member countries "making major
decisions without outside (NATO Alliance) assistance. Hesitation by
the West may be interpreted as fear in extending a security guarantee
to the region." He added, "the first wave of NATO-membership
candidates are the least vulnerable; with this in mind NATO members
should focus their attention on developing an up-front dialogue with
Russia." Then the emphasis would be placed on "helping Russia accept
the new reality of NATO expansion" -- that is, help the Russians view
it as a step toward world security and not a threat against them,
Rodman noted.

Czech Ambassador to the United States Michael Zantovsky, said that to
decrease "concerns regarding expansion, NATO members need to explain
to non-member countries the purpose of expansion." He said the
Partnership for Peace (PFP) gives non-member nations the opportunity
to interact with NATO members in addition to preparing them for
membership.

Freedom House President Adrian Karatnycky, said NATO expansion may be
perceived by non-member countries as an attempt to "shift the existing
security vacuum in Europe further to the East, thus increasing the
pressure on these countries. As for Russia, expansion will create a
set of realities -- democratic and economic reform -- both of which
they are slowly beginning to accept."
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