    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book I)]
    [June 12, 1997]
    [Page 724]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Enlargement of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization
    June 12, 1997

        After careful consideration, I have decided that the United States
    will support inviting three countries--Poland, Hungary, and the Czech
    Republic--to begin accession talks to join NATO when we meet in Madrid
    next month.
        We have said all along that we would judge aspiring members by their
    ability to add strength to the alliance and their readiness to shoulder
    the obligations of NATO membership. Poland, Hungary, and the Czech
    Republic most clearly meet those criteria--and have currently made the
    greatest strides in military capacity and political and economic reform.
        As I have repeatedly emphasized, the first new members should not
    and will not be the last. We will continue to work with other interested
    nations, such as Slovenia and Romania, to help them prepare for
    membership. Other nations are making good progress--and none will be
    excluded from consideration.
        We look forward to working with our NATO Allies to reach agreement
    on this important issue.