DATE=4/28/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-230401
TITLE=SENATE-NATO (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=DAVID SWAN
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  THE U-S SENATE HAS TURNED BACK AN EFFORT TO HOLD DOWN 
AMERICA'S SHARE OF THE COST OF EXPANDING NATO, AS LAWMAKERS MOVE 
TOWARD A FINAL VOTE ON ACCEPTING POLAND, THE CZECH REPUBLIC AND 
HUNGARY.  V-O-A'S DAVID SWAN REPORTS FROM CAPITOL HILL.

TEXT:  OPPONENTS OF NATO ENLARGEMENT SAY THE PLAN WILL IMPOSE AN 
UNFAIR FINANCIAL BURDEN ON THE UNITED STATES. WHILE THE WHITE 
HOUSE ESTIMATES THE COST AT AROUND 400-MILLION DOLLARS, CRITICS 
WARN IT WILL BE MUCH HIGHER. DEMOCRATIC SENATOR TOM HARKIN IS ONE
OF THOSE SEEKING TO LIMIT THE EXPENSE.

                        // HARKIN ACT // 

         BUT TO JUST GIVE IT A BLANK CHECK (UNLIMITED FUNDS) NOW 
         I THINK IS WRONG.  AND I THINK IT WILL COST THE 
         TAXPAYERS OF THIS COUNTRY UNTOLD BILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

                          // END ACT //

MR. HARKIN PUT FORTH AN AMENDMENT TO THE ENLARGEMENT TREATY, 
SAYING THE UNITED STATES WOULD PAY NO MORE THAN 25-PERCENT OF ALL
SUBSIDIES GOING TO NEW MEMBERS. THAT FIGURE WOULD INCLUDE U-S 
LOAN GUARANTEES AND LEASES OF MILITARY EQUIPMENT.

BUT SUPPORTERS OF EXPANSION CHARGED THE PROPOSAL WOULD HAMSTRING 
THE PROCESS.  REPUBLICAN SENATOR GORDON SMITH SUGGESTS IT WOULD 
ALSO SEND THE WRONG SIGNAL TO THE ALLIES.

                         // SMITH ACT //

         DOES APPROVAL OF THIS AMENDMENT MEAN THAT THE UNITED 
         STATES WOULD ONLY LEAD NATO 25-PERCENT OF THE TIME NO 
         MATTER WHAT OUR SECURITY INTERESTS MAY BE?  DOES IT MEAN
         THAT THE UNITED STATES IS INTERESTED IN 25-PERCENT OF 
         NATO'S ACTIVITIES, EXERCISES?

                          // END ACT //

THE AMENDMENT FAILED OVERWHELMINGLY (76 TO 24), IN THE WEEK'S 
FIRST VOTE ON THE ENLARGEMENT PLAN.  THE SENATE MUST STILL DEAL 
WITH A LONG LIST OF OTHER AMENDMENTS, INCLUDING ONE THAT WOULD 
PLACE A THREE-YEAR HOLD ON ANY SECOND PHASE OF EXPANSION. A 
FINAL, AND FAVORABLE VOTE ON RATIFICATION IS EXPECTED WEDNESDAY 
NIGHT OR THURSDAY. (SIGNED)

NEB/DS/TMD/PT



28-Apr-98 5:21 PM EDT (2121 UTC)
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Source: Voice of America
.