[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 130 (Thursday, September 19, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1663]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




[[Page E1663]]



                       SUPPORTING NATO EXPANSION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MARTIN R. HOKE

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 19, 1996

  Mr. HOKE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of NATO 
expansion by encouraging qualified emerging democracies in Central and 
Eastern Europe to become members of the NATO Alliance. Since 1949, the 
North Atlantic Treaty Organization has provided the foundation for the 
peace and political solidarity of all of its European members. For this 
reason I encourage such expansion in order to provide for the continued 
security, freedom, and prosperity that has existed for NATO members 
since the formation of the NATO Alliance.
  Among the countries seeking NATO membership, including Poland, the 
Czech Republic, and Hungary, I would like to acknowledge three 
additional countries namely, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia as strong, 
viable candidates that should be considered for NATO membership. Each 
of these countries, according to their individual preparations, can and 
should be granted NATO membership at the earliest possible date. For 
this reason I would like to ask that the President encourage other 
member countries of NATO to start negotiations for the accession to 
NATO, along with Poland, the Czech Republic, and Hungary, of Romania, 
Slovakia, and Slovenia.
  Not only have each of these countries expressed an overwhelming 
desire to become full-fledged members of NATO, but they have actively 
pursued and achieved the qualifications for membership. According to 
Title II--NATO Participation Act of 1994, countries seeking membership 
in NATO must be full and active participants in the Partnership for 
Peace, and have demonstrated progress toward democratic institutions, 
free market economies, civilian control of their armed forces and the 
rule of law.
  Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia 
are all successful participants in the Partnership for Peace [PFP] and 
have succeeded in establishing western-style democracies and efficient 
market economies. Not only have these countries been successful in 
their membership with PFP, but each has also made great strides in 
preparing to become worthwhile and beneficial members of the NATO 
Alliance.
  In particular, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia have made great 
advances toward compliance with the requirements for NATO membership. 
Romania was the first nation in Central and Eastern Europe to join the 
Partnership for Peace and is currently participating in a ``sixteen 
plus one'' dialog with NATO. Militarily, Romania has a coherent and 
valid national defence doctrine and has the only armed forces in former 
East Block whose structures are fully compatible with NATO. The 
Romanian military enjoys an excellent relationship with neighboring 
countries as well, especially Hungary, with whom there are regular 
meetings of defence ministers, an open sky agreement and other 
manifestations of cooperation.
  In fact, on September 16, 1996, Romania and Hungary signed the Treaty 
on Understanding, Cooperation and Good-Neighborliness. This treaty 
allows both Romania and Hungary to continue to pursue their joint 
desires to integrate in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, 
European Union and Western European Union; to improve the security and 
prosperity of Europe; help protect minority rights through the 
implementation of the Council of Europe Framework Convention; and, to 
work toward the continued success of the relationship between Romania 
and Hungary.
  Slovakia has also made great strides. They have had considerable 
dialog with NATO regarding the Study on NATO Enlargement which detailed 
the conditions and steps to be undertaken by a prospective country in 
exchange for a full membership. Slovakia submitted a document called 
Preparation for NATO Membership, which was further elaborated in the 
Individual Discussion Paper [IDP] on March 18, 1996. Slovakia was the 
first country among PFP members to submit this paper.
  Slovenia's accomplishments and cooperation within the PFP, has made 
them, according to general consultation in 1995 on expansion of NATO, 
one of the most qualified candidates for NATO membership. According to 
the Statements and Consultation of the Parliament and Government of 
Slovenia on April 11, 1996, membership in NATO is the strategic 
security aim of Slovenia.
  Therefore, in order to expedite the process of NATO enlargement, 
grant membership in NATO to all qualifying countries, and strengthen 
the stability in Central and Eastern Europe, I would ask that the 
President, at the earliest possible date, to encourage other member 
countries of NATO to start negotiations for the accession to NATO, 
along with Poland, the Czech Republic, and Hungary, of Romania, 
Slovakia, and Slovenia.
  Already Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia have been successful in their 
attempt to meet the general requirements in order to be considered for 
NATO membership. And thus I am submitting legislation that will 
encourage and expedite the granting of membership in the North Atlantic 
Treaty Organization to these countries.

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