ACCESSION NUMBER:351085
FILE ID:TXT301
DATE:06/29/94
TITLE:RUSSIA JOINS PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE (06/29/94)
TEXT:*94062901.TXT
RUSSIA JOINS PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE
(VOA Editorial)  (310)
(Following is an editorial, broadcast by the Voice of America June 29,
reflecting the views of the U.S. government.)

When President Bill Clinton visited Moscow in January, he urged Russia to
join a new Partnership for Peace, which would link the 16 NATO countries
with other countries in Europe and the former Soviet Union.  Together, said
Clinton, "we can write a new future for Europe and help the entire world to
have a more peaceful and prosperous future."

This month, Russia formally joined the Partnership for Peace.  Along with 20
other partnership countries, Russia will now be joining with NATO in
military training and exercises and sharing information on military budget
planning and doctrine.  As Secretary of State Warren Christopher said at
the Brussels signing ceremony, "Who could have imagined a few short years
ago that after 40 years of bitter confrontation across the Iron Curtain, a
1ewly democratic Russia and this alliance would join in a partnership of
cooperation?"  Christopher said that Russia's adherence to the Partnership
for Peace "provides an opportunity for an undivided Europe...a Europe that
gives the opportunity for both prosperity and tranquility in this continent
that has been wracked by conflict for such a long period of time."

Christopher also pointed out that Russia and the other members of the
Partnership for Peace "are possible, prospective members of NATO."  The
question, he said, "is not whether NATO will expand, but how soon, and
under what circumstances."  Over the next several years, the members of the
partnership will have an opportunity to demonstrate their capacity for
membership in NATO.

As President Clinton said, Russia's membership in the Partnership for Peace
is "an important step to help shape a safer and more peaceful post-Cold War
world...where neighbors respect their borders and...work together for
mutual security and progress."

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