NATO EXPANSION:
The most important foreign policy issue in decades

NATO expansion is the single most important foreign policy in decades, for it will redraw the world's political boundaries. Some Senators worked on NATO expansion since shortly after the communist regime collapse in Eastern Europe. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee held at least 12 hearings on NATO expansion commencing in 1994, and voted 16 to two supporting expansion.

Few, if any, foreign policy issues have been so closed scrutinized in open and public sessions. Over 1,000 articles were published on the subject in our newspapers, journals and magazines. Need we remind the Republicans that NATO expansion was included in their "contract with America".

President Clinton supports expansion, as did and still does Sen. Dole. Yet opponents wish to postpone the vote until June "to give it more time". Perhaps they ought to pay more attention to foreign policy and less time to "Sexgate".

The expansion issue is long overdue. The Baltic countries and other Central and Eastern European countries have earned their place as NATO members. To delay admission would only cast doubt on the firmness of America's moral and strategic commitments in Europe and its ability to lead.

NATO's primary purpose and benefit has been ensuring stability in democratic Europe by guaranteeing territorial integrity of NATO members. NATO expansion would enlarge Europe's democratic stability zone, and thus its prosperity. Such expansion prevents wars, creates markets for investment and exports, and finds new allies and support.

Some opponents claim the cost is too much. United States has lost time, energy, money and blood in the last two world wars. What price will we put on European stability for America? A firm NATO commitment makes attacks far less likely. There may be added costs, but there will be more power and additional forces in the alliance as well.

Some Senators wish to impose a moratorium on future enlargement. That would be an even larger mistake than the rejection of the present enlargement. Such a condition is contrary to Article 10 of the NATO charter which provides open membership to "any other

European state in a position to further the principles of the treaty and contribute to the security of the North Atlantic area".

Any moratorium is totally uncalled for as the Senate would have to agree to any NATO enlargement. Why prejudice the issue now? Further, imposing restrictions will only lessen American influence. The United States must maintain a positive interest in Europe's future.

Other Senators fear Russia. Since when do we, Americans, allow our foreign policy to be set by Russia? The Russian public, as their own polls show, do not care about NATO expansion. Only the hard-liners are bothered. We need to remind Russia that guaranteed stability in Central and Eastern Europe will only enhance Russia's security. Does Russia really believe that Lithuania is a threat to Russia's security?

The Lithuanian-Russian Treaty of July 29, 1991, signed by President Yeltsin, acknowledged Lithuania's right to independently determine the means to guarantee its sovereignty and security, including membership in any defensive alliance. NATO is a defensive alliance.

Peace and stability can only be secured through NATO expansion to include all countries meeting NATO criteria. Does the U.S. have the right to deny these countries their right to choose this defensive alliance? Doesn't the U.S. owe them that right as penance for Yalta?

Other Senators are attempting to link NATO admission to membership in the European Union. Success of European integration has been possible only because of American security guarantees. Of course, United States is not a member of the Union, yet it is a NATO member. The greatest virtue of the NATO alliance is that it is led and safeguarded by the United States. American leadership is not only central to NATO but, also to the NATO enlargement debate. This is a moral issue, not only a self-interest act.

Let us hope the Senate comes to appreciate the importance of the enlargement and strengthening of NATO by promptly taking up the expansion debate and votes without limiting or restricting further expansion. Moratoriums or partial enlargement will only leave a vacuum in Europe and encourage anti-western forces in Russia. Lithuania deserves to be invited.