DATE=4/24/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-230211
TITLE=SENATE - NATO (S-ONITER)
BYLINE=DAVID SWAN
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:

INTRO: THE U-S SENATE IS POISED FOR A FINAL DEBATE ON WHETHER TO 
ACCEPT POLAND, THE CZECH REPUBLIC AND HUNGARY INTO NATO. V-O-A'S 
DAVID SWAN REPORTS, THE LAWMAKERS WILL SPEND MUCH OF THIS WEEK ON
THE ISSUE.  

TEXT:  MAJORITY LEADER TRENT LOTT HAS PROMISED TO HOLD A FOCUSED,
AND VIRTUALLY UNINTERRUPTED DEBATE ON WHETHER TO RATIFY NATO'S 
EASTWARD EXPANSION.

                         // LOTT ACT //

         I PERSONALLY SUPPORT IT.  I THINK IT'S THE RIGHT THING 
         TO DO.  I THINK IT IS ENLARGING THE RING OF FREEDOM IN 
         THAT PART OF THE WORLD.  IT IS THE NATURAL EXTENSION OF 
         THE VICTORY OF THE COLD WAR THAT WE HAD.

                          // END ACT //

BUT OPPONENTS ARE NOT GIVING UP.  REPUBLICAN SENATOR BOB SMITH 
WARNS ENLARGING NATO WOULD ONLY ANTAGONIZE RUSSIA, FOR  NO GOOD 
REASON.

                         // SMITH ACT //

         THERE'S NO URGENCY HERE.  WE OUGHT TO MOVE SLOWLY AND 
         NOT QUICKLY AND I DON'T BELIEVE THIS MAKES ANY SENSE 
         WHATSOEVER TO EXPAND AT THIS POINT.

                          // END ACT //


THE SENATE IS WIDELY EXPECTED TO APPROVE THE PLAN, ALTHOUGH THE 
ANTI-ENLARGEMENT FORCES SAY THEY ARE GAINING MOMENTUM.  THE 
DECISIVE VOTE COULD COME AS EARLY AS WEDNESDAY. (SIGNED)

NEB/DS/JO

24-Apr-98 8:38 PM EDT (0038 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.