DATE=3/16/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-228240
TITLE=U-S / NATO (S)
BYLINE=DEBORAH TATE
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  AS THE U-S SENATE PREPARES TO OPEN DEBATE ON RATIFYING 
NEW NATO MEMBERS, PRESIDENT CLINTON IS APPEALING TO LAWMAKERS TO 
REJECT A PROPOSAL TO SLOW THE PACE OF EXPANDING THE WESTERN 
ALLIANCE. V-O-A WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT DEBORAH TATE REPORTS.  
                                                     

TEXT:  THE SENATE IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DEBATE THIS WEEK ON 
RATIFYING  POLAND, HUNGARY AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC IN THE FIRST 
ROUND OF NATO EXPANSION.

BUT SOME SENATORS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE FINANCIAL, POLITICAL 
AND MILITARY IMPLICATIONS OF NATO ENLARGEMENT.  REPUBLICAN 
SENATOR JOHN WARNER HAS PROPOSED THAT THE ALLIES CALL A 
MORATORIUM ON A SECOND ROUND OF EXPANSION, TO ALLOW TIME TO 
ADDRESS THE CONCERNS.

BUT IN A TWO-AND-A-HALF PAGE LETTER TO SENATE MAJORITY LEADER 
TRENT LOTT, RELEASED MONDAY, PRESIDENT CLINTON URGES LAWMAKERS TO
REJECT ANY EFFORT THAT WOULD PUT A HOLD ON THE PROCESS OF 
ENLARGEMENT -- SAYING IT WOULD BE, IN HIS WORDS, 'UNNECESSARY AND
UNWISE'.                                              

MR. CLINTON WARNS SUCH A MORATORIUM WOULD REDUCE U-S FLEXIBILITY 
AND LEVERAGE, AND FRACTURE NATO'S CONSENSUS THAT THE DOOR TO 
MEMBERSHIP REMAINS OPEN TO ALL QUALIFIED CANDIDATES.  HE ALSO 
SAYS THE MOVE WOULD DRAW A NEW AND POTENTIALLY DESTABILIZING 
DIVIDING LINE IN EUROPE. (SIGNED)

NEB/DAT/PLM

16-Mar-98 3:06 PM EST (2006 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.