DATE=2/12/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-226648
TITLE=CZECH / NATO (L)
BYLINE=ART CHIMES
DATELINE=PRAGUE
CONTENT=
 
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  THE CZECH PARLIAMENT HAS VOTED TO TAKE THE FIRST STEP IN 
APPROVING THE COUNTRY'S BID FOR MEMBERSHIP IN NATO.  BUT V-O-A 
CORRESPONDENT ART CHIMES IN PRAGUE REPORTS THE PROPOSAL STILL 
FACES FURTHER PARLIAMENTARY DEBATE.

TEXT:  MOST CZECH POLITICAL FACTIONS SUPPORT NATO MEMBERSHIP, BUT
THE SOCIAL DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN SAYING THE MATTER SHOULD WAIT FOR 
A POPULAR REFERENDUM AND UNTIL AFTER ELECTIONS TO REPLACE THE 
CURRENT CARETAKER GOVERNMENT.  

HOWEVER, IN A PRELIMINARY VOTE IN PARLIAMENT THURSDAY THE SOCIAL 
DEMOCRATS DROPPED THEIR DEMANDS AND AGREED TO LET THE NATO BID 
MOVE TO THE NEXT STEP IN THE PROCESS.

INTERIM PRIME MINISTER JOSEF TOSOVSKY CALLED THE PARLIAMENTARY 
ACTION AN "IMPORTANT STEP" ON THE ROAD TO NATO MEMBERSHIP.

WITH APPROVAL OF THE MEASURE ON THE FIRST READING, THE STAGE IS 
SET FOR FULL CONSIDERATION WITHIN 60 DAYS.  THE VOTE WAS PRECEDED
BY A FULL DAY OF DEBATE WEDNESDAY THAT STRETCHED INTO THE EARLY 
HOURS OF THURSDAY.  

OTHER MAINSTREAM POLITICAL PARTIES FULLY SUPPORT THE CZECH BID 
FOR NATO MEMBERSHIP.  ON THE POLITICAL FRINGES, THE COMMUNISTS 
AND THE RIGHT-WING REPUBLIC PARTY ARE OPPOSED.

THE CZECH REPUBLIC, POLAND AND HUNGARY ARE THE FIRST OF THE 
POST-COMMUNIST COUNTRIES TO BE INVITED TO JOIN NATO.  

BUT CZECH LEADERS APPARENTLY HAVE FAILED TO CONVINCE A DECISIVE 
MAJORITY OF CZECH CITIZENS THAT JOINING NATO WOULD BE A GOOD 
THING.  OPINION POLLS INDICATE A SMALL MAJORITY OF THE CZECH 
PUBLIC ENDORSES NATO MEMBERSHIP.  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.  SOME 
ANALYSTS ALSO SAY NATO EXPANSION COULD BE SEEN AS A PROVOCATION 
BY RUSSIA.  

THE GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE GROUPS HAVE TRIED TO WIN SUPPORT FOR 
THE CZECH REPUBLIC'S NATO BID BY STRESSING THE IMPORTANCE OF 
JOINING WESTERN INSTITUTIONS INCLUDING THE EUROPEAN UNION.  CZECH
PRESIDENT VACLAV HAVEL, WRITING RECENTLY IN (THE PRAGUE-BASED) 
"TRANSITIONS" MAGAZINE, SAID NATO EXPANSION IS CRITICAL TO 
EUROPEAN UNIFICATION.  "ENLARGING NATO," HE WROTE, "MEANS 
ENLARGING A SPHERE OF PEACE AND STABILITY." (SIGNED)

NEB/ART/JWH

12-Feb-98 8:13 AM EST (1313 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.