DATE=2/11/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-226564
TITLE=CZECH / NATO (L)
BYLINE=ART CHIMES
DATELINE=PRAGUE
CONTENT=
 
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  THE CZECH PARLIAMENT TODAY (WEDNESDAY) IS DEBATING THE 
COUNTRY'S PROPOSED MEMBERSHIP IN NATO.  V-O-A CORRESPONDENT ART 
CHIMES IN PRAGUE REPORTS APPROVAL IS LIKELY DESPITE LUKE-WARM 
SUPPORT AMONG THE CZECH PEOPLE.

TEXT:  CZECH LAWMAKERS SEEM LIKELY TO APPROVE NATO MEMBERSHIP IN 
THE FIRST READING, BUT THE MATTER WILL  NOT  BE FINAL UNTIL A 
SECOND VOTE LATER.

THE PARTIES OF THE FORMER CENTER-RIGHT GOVERNMENT ARE 
ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT NATO MEMBERSHIP.  THE SOCIAL DEMOCRATS, WHICH 
HAD BEEN IN OPPOSITION, ARE CALLING FOR A DELAY, UNTIL AFTER THE 
CURRENT CARETAKER GOVERNMENT IS REPLACED IN ELECTIONS LATER THIS 
YEAR.  BUT PARTY LEADER MILOS ZEMAN, WHO IS ALSO THE PARLIAMENT 
CHAIRMAN, ADMITS HE DOES  NOT  HAVE THE VOTES, AND HE SAYS 
LAWMAKERS WILL LIKELY APPROVE CZECH MEMBERSHIP IN NATO -- AT 
LEAST ON THIS FIRST READING.  

MR. ZEMAN SAYS THE DETAILS OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC'S MEMBERSHIP 
NEED TO BE EXAMINED MORE CLOSELY, AND HE SAYS THE MATTER SHOULD 
BE PUT TO A REFERENDUM OF CZECH VOTERS.

OPINION POLLS INDICATE THE CZECH PUBLIC ENDORSES NATO MEMBERSHIP,
BUT JUST BARELY.  THERE ARE CONCERNS ABOUT THE COSTS, BUT MANY 
CZECH CITIZENS ARE ALSO WONDERING WHY NATO EXPANSION IS NEEDED 
NOW THAT THE SOVIET UNION IS GONE.  CZECH LEADERS HAVE FAILED TO 
CONVINCE A DECISIVE MAJORITY THAT JOINING NATO WOULD BE A GOOD 
THING.

A PRIVATE GROUP LAST MONTH LAUNCHED AN ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN TO 
PROMOTE SUPPORT FOR NATO.  THEIR DRAMATIC TELEVISION AD FEATURES 
DOCUMENTARY FILM SHOWING SOVIET TANKS AND TROOPS IN PRAGUE DURING
1968 INVASION. 

       ///  ACT - TV SOUNDTRACK - ESTABLISH AND FADE  ///

THE MESSAGE IS THAT, THANKS TO NATO, THE COLD WAR ENDED AND 
CZECHS NOW HAVE FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY.

THE DEBATE IN THE CZECH PARLIAMENT IS THE FIRST AMONG THE CENTRAL
EUROPE COUNTRIES INVITED TO JOIN NATO.  POLAND AND HUNGARY ALSO 
HAVE RECEIVED INVITATIONS.  THEIR THREE FOREIGN MINISTERS HAVE 
BEEN IN WASHINGTON DISCUSSING THE ISSUE IN ADVANCE OF THE U-S 
SENATE'S CONSIDERATION.  

THE AMENDED NATO TREATY MUST BE RATIFIED BY ALL 16 CURRENT 
MEMBERS.  PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS URGED THE U-S SENATE TO RATIFY 
THE TREATY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.  (SIGNED)

NEB/ART/JWH

11-Feb-98 7:56 AM EST (1256 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.