[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 110 (Wednesday, July 24, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1358-E1359]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               NATO ENLARGEMENT FACILITATION ACT OF 1996

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. MARTIN R. HOKE

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 23, 1996

  Mr. HOKE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to submit for the Record a statement by 
Peter Lucaci and Dr. Nicholas Dima of the Union and League of Romanian 
Societies of America concerning NATO enlargement and the position of 
American-Romanians. The Union and League of Romanian Societies of 
America is the largest Romanian-American organization in our country, 
and strongly supports expanding ties between the United States and 
Romania.
  However, although I often agree with Mr. Lucaci and Dr. Dima's views 
about Romania, I do not fully share their certainty about Romania's 
eligibility to join NATO in the near term.
  NATO, for the past 45 years, has been a cornerstone of our Nation's 
defense, and the bulwark of Western democracy and free-market 
economics. The success of the alliance is without question.
  A major reason for that success has been the alliance's intolerance 
of authoritarian or undemocratic regimes within its ranks. Although 
democratic governments were overthrown by military juntas in Greece and 
Turkey, both countries joined NATO as democracies and both countries 
have reverted to democratic governments. Spain was not permitted to 
join NATO until it demonstrated its commitment to parliamentary 
democracy.
  It must also be recognized that NATO is not anti-Russian, nor is it 
even anti-Communist; rather, it is pro-democracy. NATO is, and always 
has been, a defensive alliance behind which democracy and free-market 
economies could flourish.
  It is my unshakable conviction that NATO membership must only be 
granted to nations that make a fundamental commitment to democracy, the 
rule of law, and free-market economics.
  NATO membership must not be granted willy-nilly to nations that fail 
to make these commitments. Membership cannot be granted simply because 
certain nations fear their neighbors or believe that membership will 
enhance their prospects for democratic or economic progress or reform.
  Some formerly Communist nations of Central and Eastern Europe--such 
as the Baltic States, Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic--have 
clearly made the transition to free-market democracy and should soon 
easily qualify to join NATO.
  Being half Romanian by descent, I am particularly committed to seeing 
Romania take its place among the other Central and Western European 
States with which they share so many political, economic, and cultural 
traditions. The stability and fate of Romania is vitally important to 
the peace and security of Europe.
  However, I am concerned that many elements of Romania's democratic 
institutions are fragile and weak. Many veterans of the former 
Communist regime remain in positions of power. In addition, the 
government party's financial assets and dominance of the radio and 
television media give it an unfair advantage over opposition parties.
  Thus, I am unconvinced that Romania's progress toward becoming a full 
fledged democracy with a free-market economy is guaranteed, or that 
Romania's government is genuinely committed to joining the Western 
community. For that reason, at this time I have deep reservations 
concerning Romania's efforts to become a full member of NATO. I now 
submit for the Record the views of Mr. Lucaci and Dr. Dima.

          NATO Enlargement, and the American-Romanian Position

                           (By Peter Lucaci)


                              introduction

       NATO was created as a means of common defense against the 
     Soviet threat and as a safe mechanism to prevent further wars 
     among its own members. In time, the organization fostered 
     political democracy, prompted economic prosperity, and led to 
     the European Union. Almost five decades later, NATO is 
     seeking enlargement for more or less similar reasons. Our 
     premise is that although no longer openly admitted, Russia 
     continues to represent a potential danger for the stability 
     of Europe. Therefore, the enlargement of NATO should aim at 
     containing Russia while cultivating better relations with it. 
     But, more importantly, NATO should aim at expanding itself to 
     strengthen Europe and the Atlantic Alliance.
       Currently, Eastern Europe is undergoing a radical 
     transformation. If coopted by NATO and the European Union, it 
     could become democratic, prosperous, and stable. In our 
     opinion, this is chiefly what makes so many countries of the 
     region eager to join the two institutions. Another reason is 
     the continuous fear of its powerful neighbors. Eastern Europe 
     was dominated throughout most of this century by Germany and 
     Russia. While Germany was crushed in 1945 and completely 
     changed its attitude afterwards, Russia did not. Even after 
     the recent dismemberment of the Soviet Union, Moscow is still 
     harboring resentments toward the West and designs over the 
     East. This is another reason that makes Russia's neighbors 
     look for security in an alliance with the West.
       In the nutshell, the Romanian-American position is 
     identical to the interests of the Romanian nation. It 
     coincides with the American interests in the area. And to a 
     certain degree, it overlaps with the position of the current 
     government of Romania. We simply believe that (a) it is in 
     the interest of Romania to join NATO; (b) it is in the 
     interest of the United States; and (3) it is in the interest 
     of Europe.
       If Russia does not share this sentiment, it is because 
     Moscow did not make a political commitment to become a normal 
     member of the international community. In addition, from an 
     economic point of view, Russia is far from offering any model 
     of development capable of attracting other countries. Thus, 
     one can bring stability to Eastern Europe either by changing 
     Russia, or by linking Eastern Europe with the West.


                      approach to nato enlargement

       Ideally, Russia itself should be coopted into the North 
     Atlantic Organization, but as a culture and mentality, the 
     Russians are not ready to join it. The Russians love their 
     status as great power and the present generation does not 
     appear willing to change this mentality. As a second best, 
     NATO should bring Ukraine into its ranks. However, for the 
     same reasons Moscow would not accept it, and Kiev does not 
     want to challenge Russia. Consequently, if the West wishes to 
     foster more security in this region, the best bet is to coopt 
     as many countries as possible, and make Romania an advanced 
     outpost of NATO.
       In this light, from an American-Romanian point of view the 
     best Western approach to any enlargement of NATO would be to 
     bring some countries in on an individual basis if necessary, 
     and to bring others together. If coopted together, Romania 
     and Hungary for example, will be compelled to a more rapid 
     mutual reconciliation, will greatly enhance the stability of 
     the area, and will strengthen NATO position.


                           romania's position

       According to several polls, almost the entire population of 
     Romania, and most of its political parties and leaders, agree 
     that Romania should strive to become a full member of both 
     the European Union and the North Atlantic Organization. This 
     will guarantee Romania's security and will consolidate its 
     new democracy, market reforms, and economic development. And 
     Romania is willing to join NATO as soon as possible.
       Romania in turn will bring into NATO one of the largest 
     medium-size European countries, an unshakable willingness to 
     be part of Europe and to serve the organization, new 
     resources and markets, and a very useful geo-strategic 
     position at the eastern end of the continent. Romania is at 
     the center of Eastern Europe and it borders the Black Sea, 
     where it has one of the best port facilities of southern 
     Europe. Romania also controls a long stretch of the Danube 
     River, its main navigable channel, and a man-made canal 
     linking the great river with the Black Sea. With this 
     location, Romania makes one of the best links between Europe, 
     southern Russia, and Asia Minor.
       From an ethno-cultural point of view, the Romanians are a 
     homogeneous nation of

[[Page E1359]]

     about 23 million people. Except for politics, there are no 
     internal divisions. In addition, there are over three million 
     Romanians living in the present Republic of Moldova. When 
     this former Romanian province will decide to reunite with the 
     country of origin, Romania will become even a stronger NATO 
     member.
       In Romania, the only sizeable minority that occasionally 
     expresses dissatisfaction, is the Hungarian minority of 
     Transylvania. It is sad that historically the two nations 
     have had a bitter relationship because visitors perceive both 
     Hungarians and Romanians as very hospitable and very 
     friendly, and because individually, they get along rather 
     well with each other.
       From another point of view, the Romanians have their 
     linguistic roots in Rome, have deep cultural affinities with 
     Western Europe, and have developed almost exclusively under 
     the influence of the West. The Romanians also have great 
     admiration for America and in recent decades have had high 
     expectations from it as well.


                   a new russian geo-political theory

       Historically, Romania suffered tremendously at the hands of 
     the Russians. The Romanian lands have been invaded twelve 
     times by the Russians, and the last occupation of 1944 
     brought along the darkest era in modern Romanian history. 
     This era ended in December 1989, but in spite of the 
     significant changes that followed, the economic, moral, 
     and spiritual ruin caused by the Soviet Union, by the 
     Russians, and by communism, is still having devastating 
     consequences.
       It is this disaster and the collective memory of the nation 
     that make even the former communists look toward the West for 
     help and inspiration. And what continues to worry Romanians 
     is the new Russian geo-political attitude and Moscow's 
     stubborness with regard to the old question of Bessarabia.
       The Russian heavy-handed involvement in the non-Russian 
     republics started immediately after the break-up of the 
     Soviet Union. This made some researchers conclude that 
     everything was orchestrated by Moscow, which later announced 
     a new geo-political and military doctrine, known as ``The Far 
     Abroad'' and ``The Near Abroad.'' Once in place, even those 
     leaders who were considered liberals and democrats subscribed 
     to it. For example, referring to the Near Abroad, the former 
     Russian Foreign Minister, Andrei Kozyrev, spoke of the danger 
     of ``losing geo-political positions that took centuries to 
     conquer.'' And during the armed conflict in Yugoslavia, 
     another leading Russian official made it clear that any 
     action in the Black Sea or Danube basin required prior 
     agreement from Moscow because these are areas of 
     ``traditional Russian interests.'' Such aggressive statements 
     and threats abound these days.
       In spite of its new policy, for its neighbors Russia has 
     remained the same threatening power as before. The Republic 
     of Moldova, for example, was the victim of an internal war in 
     1992 and Moscow was fully behind the russian rebels in the 
     Trans-Dnestr area. It was a reminder that a possible reunion 
     of former Bessarabia with Romania would come at a very 
     expensive price. Romania could not do much, and the war was 
     not at all reassuring.
       To conclude, there is a new beginning in Romania and there 
     is a new beginning in Eastern Europe. This is the time when 
     the United States and Western Europe can make a significant 
     difference.
       Romania and the other Eastern European countries should be 
     integrated into the North Atlantic Organization. They should 
     be brought back to Europe where they belong for the benefit 
     of peace and security of the continent, and for the best 
     interests of the United States in this part of the world.

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