DATE=2/24/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-227235
TITLE=NATO EXPANSION  (L)
BYLINE=JIM RANDLE
DATELINE=PENTAGON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  PLANS TO EXPAND THE NATO MILITARY ALLIANCE GOT CLOSER TO 
REALITY (TUESDAY) IN BOTH THE U-S SENATE AND IN CZECH PUBLIC 
OPINION.  PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT JIM RANDLE REPORTS, THE CZECH 
REPUBLIC, HUNGARY, AND POLAND HAVE BEEN INVITED TO JOIN NATO IN 
1999, IF THEIR RESPECTIVE PARLIAMENTS APPROVE AND NATO MEMBERS 
AGREE. 

TEXT:  CRITICS OF NATO EXPANSION COMPLAIN THE FRAGILE ECONOMIES 
OF POLAND, THE CZECH REPUBLIC, AND HUNGARY CAN NOT AFFORD THE 
LARGE SUMS NEEDED TO BRING THEIR MILITARY FORCES UP TO NATO 
STANDARDS.  OTHER CRITICS SAY THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION HAS 
UNDERSTATED THE COSTS, AND THE UNITED STATES IS LIKELY TO BE 
STUCK WITH A LARGE SHARE OF PROVIDING IMPROVED EQUIPMENT FOR NEW 
ALLIES. 

BUT SECRETARY OF STATE MADELINE ALBRIGHT TELLS THE SENATE FOREIGN
RELATIONS COMMITTEE, WASHINGTON IS MAKING A GOOD INVESTMENT. 

                      /// ALBRIGHT ACT /// 

         WE KNOW TODAY THAT THE COSTS WILL REAL, BUT ALSO THAT 
         THEY WILL BE MANAGEABLE, THAT THEY WILL BE MET, AND THAT
         THEY WILL BE SHARED FAIRLY.

                        /// END ACT /// 

SECRETARY OF DEFENSE WILLIAM COHEN SAYS NEW NATO MEMBERS WOULD 
HAVE TO MODERNIZE THEIR MILITARY FORCES SOONER OR LATER, AND WILL
SPEND LESS AS PART OF NATO THAN IF THEY TRIED TO HANDLE ALL 
DEFENSE TASKS ON THEIR OWN. 

MR. COHEN SAYS POLAND, THE CZECH REPUBLIC, AND HUNGARY WILL BE 
PRODUCERS OF SECURITY, NOT JUST CONSUMERS.  HE SAYS THE NEW 
ALLIES BRING STABILITY, STRENGTH, AND SPECIAL SKILLS TO NATO.

                       /// COHEN ACT /// 

         THREE-HUNDRED-THOUSAND TROOPS, WITH SPECIALIZED UNITS IN
         COMBAT ENGINEERING AND ALSO DECONTAMINATION SKILLS.   

                         /// END ACT ///

OTHER CRITICS OF A LARGER NATO SAY THE EXPANDED ALLIANCE CREATES 
FRICTION WITH MOSCOW BY MOVING NATO FORCES CLOSER TO THE RUSSIAN 
BORDER.  

MS. ALBRIGHT SAYS SHE IS AWARE OF MOSCOW'S COMPLAINTS, BUT SAYS 
NATO WILL BRING STABILITY TO CENTRAL EUROPE AND MOSCOW WILL 
EVENTUALLY REALIZE STABILITY IS GOOD FOR RUSSIA.  SECRETARY COHEN
SAYS WASHINGTON AND MOSCOW HAVE MANY DIFFERENCES, BUT HAVE MADE 
PROGRESS TOWARD RESOLVING THEM LATELY, DESPITE THE EXPECTED 
EXPANSION OF NATO.

SECRETARY OF STATE ALBRIGHT OPPOSES MOVES TO DELAY ADMISSION OF 
OTHER NEW MEMBERS TO NATO.  SHE SAYS THIS WOULD HURT REFORM- 
MINDED GOVERNMENTS IN FORMERLY COMMUNIST NATIONS.

FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, SENATOR JESSE HELMS, A 
REPUBLICAN, IS OFTEN CRITICAL OF THE DEMOCRATIC CLINTON 
ADMINISTRATION FOREIGN POLICY, BUT HE SAYS HE SUPPORTS NATO 
EXPANSION.  IF THE COMMITTEE APPROVES NATO EXPANSION, THE FULL 
SENATE COULD VOTE ON THE MATTER EARLY NEXT MONTH.

MEANTIME, A NEW PUBLIC OPINION POLL REPORTED BY THE REUTERS NEWS 
AGENCY SHOWS 59-PERCENT OF THOSE QUESTIONED IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC
SUPPORT JOINING NATO.  THAT IS UP EIGHT-POINTS FROM A SIMILAR 
POLL LAST SEPTEMBER.   (SIGNED). 

NEB/RAE

24-Feb-98 2:55 PM EST (1955 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.