DATE=5/21/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-232616
TITLE=CLINTON / NATO (L)
BYLINE=DEBORAH TATE
DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE
CONTENT=
VOICED AT: 

INTRO:  PRESIDENT CLINTON HAS GIVEN FORMAL U-S APPROVAL TO EXTEND
NATO MEMBERSHIP TO THREE FORMER WARSAW PACT NATIONS.  V-O-A'S 
WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT DEBORAH TATE REPORTS.                  
                                

TEXT:   MR. CLINTON THURSDAY SIGNED RATIFICATION DOCUMENTS FOR  
EXPANDING NATO EASTWARD TO INCLUDE POLAND, HUNGARY AND THE CZECH 
REPUBLIC.

THE SENATE RATIFIED THE NATO EXPANSION MEASURE APRIL 30TH, 
DESPITE  ARGUMENTS THAT RUSSIA WOULD VIEW AN ENLARGED WESTERN 
ALLIANCE POSITIONED CLOSER TO ITS BORDERS AS A POTENTIAL SECURITY
THREAT.

AT A WHITE HOUSE CEREMONY, MR. CLINTON ARGUED THE MOVE WOULD 
ENHANCE STABILITY IN CENTRAL EUROPE.

                     // CLINTON ACTUALITY //

         TODAY WE WELCOME HUNGARY, POLAND, THE CZECH REPUBLIC, 
         FINALLY ERASING  THE BOUNDARY LINE THE COLD WAR 
         ARTIFICIALLY IMPOSED ON THE CONTINENT  OF EUROPE, 
         STRENGTHENING AN ALLIANCE THAT NOW, CLEARLY, IS BETTER  
         PRESERVED TO KEEP THE PEACE AND PRESERVE OUR SECURITY 
         INTO THE 21ST CENTURY.

                          // END ACT //

ALL 16 CURRENT NATO MEMBERS MUST RATIFY THE EXPANSION BY THE END 
OF THIS YEAR, SO THAT THE THREE COUNTRIES CAN FORMALLY JOIN THE 
ALLIANCE APRIL FOURTH OF NEXT YEAR, THE ORGANIZATION'S 50TH 
ANNIVERSARY.                           

BESIDES THE UNITED STATES, CANADA, DENMARK, GERMANY AND NORWAY 
HAVE APPROVED NATO ENLARGEMENT.                            

IN HIS REMARKS, MR. CLINTON ALSO ACKNOWLEDGED THE HOPES OF OTHER 
FORMER WARSAW PACT NATIONS TO BECOME NATO MEMBERS.

                  // CLINTON ACTUALITY //      

         WE RESPECT YOUR ASPIRATIONS FOR SECURITY;  WE SHARE YOUR
         DEVOTION TO YOUR FREEDOM;  AND WE HOPE THIS IS A DAY 
         WHICH YOU CAN CELEBRATE AS WELL.                        

                          // END ACT //

ROMANIA, SLOVENIA AND THE BALTIC STATES HAVE EXPRESSED THEIR 
DESIRE  TO PART OF A SECOND PHASE OF EXPANSION THAT IS EXPECTED 
TO BEGIN NEXT YEAR.  (SIGNED) 


NEB/DAT/ENE/PT

21-May-98 6:18 PM EDT (2218 UTC)
NNNN

Source: Voice of America
.