    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book II)]
    [August 21, 1996]
    [Pages 1324-1325]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Letter to Congressional Leaders Transmitting a Report on the Partnership
    For Peace Initiative
    August 21, 1996

    Dear Mr. __________:
        In accordance with section 514(a) of Public Law 103-236 (22 U.S.C.
    1928(a)), I am submitting to you this report on implementation of the
    Partnership for Peace (PFP) initiative.
        The ongoing adaptation of Europe's security structures to post-Cold
    War realities remains one of our highest foreign policy priorities. A
    central element of this adaptation is the extension of NATO's zone of
    stability and security to Europe's emerging democracies. Over the past
    two and a half years, the Partnership for Peace has made a significant
    contribution to this goal by forging new cooperative ties between the
    Alliance and its Partners. This U.S. initiative has united NATO Allies
    with countries recently emerged from communist and traditionally neutral
    states in a partnership based on respect for democratic principles,
    peaceful resolution of disputes, and practical cooperation.
        For all Partners, PFP will be an enduring instrument for forging
    stronger ties with NATO. For those Partners interested in joining NATO,
    PFP is the best path to membership. As you will see from the enclosed
    report, NATO and its Partners have made impressive progress in
    broadening and deepening the Partnership over the past year. We are
    working with our Allies and Partners to build on the Partnership's early
    momentum in the shared conviction that cooperation and common action are
    the best means to achieving lasting security throughout the Euro-
    Atlantic area.
            Sincerely,

                                                          William J. Clinton

    [[Page 1325]]

    Note: Identical letters were sent to Jesse Helms, chairman, and
    Claiborne Pell, ranking member, Senate Committee on Foreign Relations;
    and Benjamin A. Gilman, chairman, and Lee H. Hamilton, ranking member,
    House Committee on International Relations.