[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 33, Number 24 (Monday, June 16, 1997)]
[Page 859]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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.