ACCESSION NUMBER:321836
FILE ID:TXT501
DATE:01/21/94
TITLE:PRESIDENT CLINTON IN PRAGUE (01/21/94)
TEXT:*94012101.TXT
PRESIDENT CLINTON IN PRAGUE

(VOA Editorial)  (390)
(Following is an editorial, broadcast by the Voice of America January 00,
reflecting the views of the U.S. government.)

On his recent visit to Prague, President Bill Clinton met with the leaders
of the Czech and Slovak Republics, Hungary and Poland.  Following the
meetings, Mr. Clinton declared that the United States is seeking "to help
build a new security for the transatlantic community for the 21 century.
During the Cold War, the security of the Western alliance was defined by
the division of Europe.  Our new security," said Mr. Clinton, "must be
defined by...the integration of a broader Europe based on military
cooperation, robust democracies and market economies."

President Clinton outlined ways in which the United States will assist
eastern and central Europe's democratic integration.  The most important is
the Partnership for Peace.  Under this initiative, former members of the
Warsaw Pact, former Soviet states, and other countries in Europe have been
invited to cooperate militarily with NATO.  During President Clinton's stop
in Prague the leaders of the Czech and Slovak Republics, Hungary and Poland
all expressed their support for the Partnership for Peace and their
intention to participate.  A number of other countries, including Albania,
Bulgaria, Estonia, Lithuania, Romania, Russia, Slovenia and Ukraine, have
indicated their intent to participate.

Partnership is not the same as NATO membership, but will be an option in the
future.  As President Clinton stressed, it is no longer a question of
whether NATO will take on new members, but when and how.
1
Another way in which the United States can help to support eastern and
central Europe's renewal is by expanding U.S. economic ties with the
region.  To this end, the United States will hold a special conference this
year to determine how to increase trade and investment and open Western
markets to goods from the emerging democracies.  United States is also
supporting the development of civil societies in countries of the former
Soviet bloc.  Mr. Clinton announced the creation of the democracy network,
an initiative to bring new resources to independent groups throughout the
region.

"Together," said President Clinton, "we can place central and eastern Europe
at the heart of a new Europe, an integrated Europe, democratic, prosperous,
secure and free.  That is my commitment."

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