[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 30, Number 33 (Monday, August 22, 1994)]
[Page 1682]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Letter to Congressional Leaders Transmitting a Report on the Partnership 
For Peace

August 18, 1994

Dear Mr. Chairman:

    In accordance with section 514(a) of Public Law 103-236 (22 U.S.C. 
1928 note), I am submitting to you this report on implementation of the 
Partnership for Peace initiative.
    The adoption of the Partnership for Peace initiative at the NATO 
Summit last January marked an historic milestone in the relationship 
between NATO and the nations of Europe recently emerged from decades of 
communist domination. The reaction of the new democracies to NATO's 
opening to the East has been energetic. In the 6 months since the 
Summit, 22 countries, including Russia, have joined the Partnership. In 
their enthusiastic response to NATO's invitation, these countries have 
undertaken to respect existing borders and to settle disputes by 
peaceful means. Moreover, they will engage in practical cooperation with 
the armed forces of NATO countries and continue to absorb our culture of 
democracy, individual freedom, and the rule of law. As the attached 
report indicates, the Partnership established offices in Brussels and 
Mons, and a full program of military exercises this fall will serve to 
demonstrate NATO's commitment to immediate implementation of the 
Partnership initiative. The first Partnership exercises are scheduled 
for this September, with Poland the first former Warsaw Pact nation to 
host an exercise on its territory.
    The end of the Cold War presented the United States and our allies 
with a tremendous opportunity to establish real security in Europe. 
Through the Partnership, the United States can work toward NATO's 
expansion to democracies in the East. The Partnership for Peace provides 
a dynamic instrument for transforming former adversaries into lasting 
partners and for consolidating, strengthening, and extending peace for 
generations to come.
    Sincerely,
                                                  Bill Clinton

Note: Identical letters were sent to Claiborne Pell, chairman, Senate 
Committee on Foreign Relations, and Lee H. Hamilton, chairman, House 
Committee on Foreign Affairs.