[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 15 (Monday, April 14, 2003)]
[Pages 426-427]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Message to the Senate Transmitting the North Atlantic Treaty Protocols 
on the Accession of Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, 
Slovakia, and Slovenia

April 10, 2003

To the Senate of the United States:

    I transmit herewith Protocols to the North Atlantic Treaty of 1949 
on the accession of Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, 
Slovakia, and Slovenia. These protocols were opened for signature at 
Brussels on March 26, 2003, and signed that day on behalf of the United 
States and the other parties to the North Atlantic Treaty. I request the 
advice and consent of the Senate to the ratification of these documents. 
I also transmit for the information of the Senate a report submitted to 
me by the Secretary of State regarding this matter.
    The end of communism and the consolidation of freedom and democracy 
in Central and Eastern Europe have been among the great developments of 
human history. NATO played a vital role in defending freedom and 
promoting this peaceful change for over 50 years. I am pleased that, 
with the advice and consent of the Senate, these new democracies can 
soon join us as members of this great Alliance.
    As the threats to the Alliance have changed, NATO itself has adapted 
to face them. At the Prague Summit in November 2002, I joined the 
leaders of NATO not only in inviting these nations to join us as 
members, but also in calling for a transformation of NATO's military 
capabilities and structures to meet the threats of the 21st century. 
NATO is proceeding with that agenda. Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, 
Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia are already making real 
contributions to the common security of the NATO Allies, including the 
United States, and I am firmly convinced that their full membership in 
NATO will strengthen our Alliance further.

[[Page 427]]

    I ask the Senate to join me in advancing the cause of freedom and 
strengthening NATO by providing its prompt advice and consent to these 
Protocols of Accession. My Administration stands ready to assist you as 
best we can in your deliberations.
                                                George W. Bush
 The White House,
 April 10, 2003.

Note: This message was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on 
April 11.