[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 81 (Thursday, June 23, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 23, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                  RUSSIA AS NEW ``PARTNER FOR PEACE''

                                 ______


                         HON. ROBERT H. MICHEL

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 23, 1994

  Mr. MICHEL. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, June 22, 1994, Russia became the 
21st country to join NATO's Partnership for Peace Program.
  On a formal basis, this means Russia and NATO will cooperate in joint 
military exercises and peacekeeping operations.
  But it has great symbolic importance as a new stage on the journey 
from cold war tensions to post-cold-war cooperation.
  Russia is currently plagued by many difficulties, economic, social, 
and political. Becoming a member of the Partnership for Peace will not 
directly solve any of these problems.
  And, of course, we have the question of Russian possession of nuclear 
arms, a legacy of the breakdown of the former Soviet Union.
  Yes, Russia has problems.
  But Russia's decision to enter into the Partnership for Peace is 
symbolic of what I believe to be widespread and genuine desire of the 
Russian people to enter into friendly and mutually beneficial 
relationships with the NATO countries.
  This spirit of cooperation can transcend military matters and begin 
to invigorate and strengthen the cause of democracy and progress in 
Russia.
  Who would have predicted years ago that in 1994, NATO and Russia 
would extend the hand of friendship to each other? It would have seemed 
impossible, but it has happened and we are glad it did.

                          ____________________