*97022406.txt 

TEXT:  CLINTON LETTER TO CONGRESS ON NATO ENLARGEMENT REPORT

(Creating an undivided, democratic Europe for 21st century) (700)

Washington -- President Clinton says the inclusion of new members in
NATO's ranks is "an indispensable element of a broader American
strategy to create an undivided, democratic Europe for the 21st
century.

"By extending the underpinnings of security beyond the arbitrary line
of the Cold War," Clinton said February 24, "NATO can strengthen
democratic and free market reforms for all of Europe, just as it has
done for Western Europe in the decades since 1949."

The President's comments came in a letter transmitting his report on
NATO enlargement to the chairmen of four key panels: The Senate
Foreign Relations Committee, the House International Relations
Committee, the Senate Armed Services Committee and the House National
Security Committee.

"By admitting new states to the alliance," Clinton said, "NATO will
limit and help eliminate a potentially destabilizing vacuum in Europe,
widening the circle of like-minded nations sharing common values and
willing to shoulder common responsi-bilities and burdens. Already, the
prospect of NATO enlargement has strengthened stability and democracy,
and promoted regional cooperation among the states of Central and
Eastern Europe."

Following is the White House text:

(begin text)

THE WHITE HOUSE

February 24, 1997

TEXT OF A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT TO THE CHAIRMEN OF THE SENATE
COMMITTEES ON FOREIGN RELATIONS AND ARMED SERVICES AND THE HOUSE
COMMITTEES ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND NATIONAL SECURITY

Dear Mr. Chairman:

Pursuant to section 1048 of the National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 1997, I transmit herewith a report on the enlargement of
the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

For over 50 years, successive Presidents and Congresses have
maintained a firm, bipartisan consensus that the security of Europe is
vital to the national security of the United States. It remains so.
NATO, even as it evolves and adapts to a changing world, remains the
core of the transatlantic alliance that has served American interests
for two generations.

Inclusion of new members into NATO's ranks is an indispensable element
of a broader American strategy to create an undivided, democratic
Europe for the 21st century. By extending the underpinnings of
security beyond the arbitrary line of the Cold War, NATO can
strengthen democratic and free market reforms for all of Europe, just
as it has done for Western Europe in the decades since 1949. By
admitting new states to the alliance, NATO will limit and help
eliminate a potentially destabilizing vacuum in Europe, widening the
circle of like-minded nations sharing common values and willing to
shoulder common responsi-bilities and burdens. Already, the prospect
of NATO enlargement has strengthened stability and democracy, and
promoted regional cooperation among the states of Central and Eastern
Europe.

The enlargement of NATO is not directed against any state; NATO does
not see any nation as its enemy. By extending security and stability
throughout Europe, NATO enlargement will serve the interests of all of
Europe's democracies -- whether they are current members, new members,
or nonmembers. The United States looks forward to the building of a
strong, dynamic relationship and unprecedented partnership between
NATO and Russia.

NATO enlargement is moving ahead. NATO has agreed to hold a Summit on
July 8-9 in Madrid at which one or more nations will be invited to
begin negotiations on accession to the Washington Treaty; I have
called for NATO to welcome new members by 1999, and NATO has accepted
this goal. Continued close and bipartisan cooperation between the
Congress and the executive branch are, and will remain, the keys to
achieving this objective. Addition of new members to the North
Atlantic alliance must be submitted to the Senate for its advice and
consent, and both houses of the Congress will have to approve the
resources necessary to make enlargement a reality.

I thank the Congress for the constructive role it has played in recent
years to advance the enlargement of NATO. I look forward to working
with the Congress to achieve our common objective of a wider circle of
security, prosperity, and common values embracing an integrated Europe
and the United States.

Sincerely,

WILLIAM J. CLINTON

(end text)
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