Tribune Excerpts

The following article appeared in the November 2006 Edition of the Macedonian Tribune

Lugar Frist Comment

In introducing the bill, Senator Lugar made the following comments:

“The goal of this bill is to reaffirm US support for continued enlargement of NATO to democracies that are able and willing to meet the responsibilities of membership. In particular, the legislation calls for the timely admission of Albania, Croatia, Georgia and Macedonia to NATO and authorizes security assistance for these countries in Fiscal Year 2007. Each of these countries has clearly stated its desire to join NATO and is working hard to meet the specifi ed requirements for membership. The bill also affi rms that the US stands ready to consider, and if all applicable criteria are satisfi ed, to support efforts by Ukraine to join NATO, should Ukraine decide that it wishes to meet the responsibilities of membership in the Alliance.

“I believe that eventual NATO membership for these four countries would be a success for Europe, NATO and the US by continuing to extend the zone of peace and security. Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia have been making progress on reforms through their participation in the NATO Membership Action Plan since 2002. Unfortunately, Georgia has not yet been granted a Membership Action Plan, but nevertheless has made remarkable progress. This legislation will provide important incentives and assistance to the countries to continue the implementation of democratic, defense, and economic reforms.

“Since the end of the Cold War, NATO has been evolving to meet the new security needs of the 21st century. In this era, the threats to NATO members are transnational and far from its geographic borders. There is strong support among members for NATO’s operation in Afghanistan, and for its training mission in Iraq. NATO’s viability as an effective defense and security alliance depends on fl exible, creative leadership, as well as the willingness of members to improve capabilities and address common threats.

“If NATO is to continue to be the preeminent security Alliance and serve the defense interests of its membership, it must continue to evolve and that evolution must include enlargement. Potential NATO membership motivates emerging democracies to make important advances in areas such as the rule of law and civil society. A closer relationship with NATO will promote these values and contribute to our mutual security. Georgia is a young democracy that has made tremendous progress since the “Rose Revolution.” It is situated in a critical geo-strategic location and is host to a large portion of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline that carries important energy resources to the West from Azerbaijan and, in the future, Kazakhstan. Georgia is resisting pressure from breakaway republics backed by Moscow. In the past, border disputes have been identifi ed as reasons a country may not be invited to join NATO. But in this case, Russia’s action, not Georgia’s, are frustrating Tbilisi’s NATO aspirations.

“Three years ago, the US Senate unanimously voted to invite seven countries to join NATO. Today, Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia are making signifi cant contributions to NATO and are among our closest allies in the global war on terrorism. It is time again for the United States to take the lead in urging its allies to bring in new members, and to offer timely admission of Albania, Croatia, Georgia, and Macedonia to NATO.”

Senator Lugar, who has long advocated NATO’s expansion will travel to Riga, Latvia, at the end of November to keynote a German-Marshall-Fund-sponsored summit that is taking place just before the NATO Conference there.

Senate Majority Leader Frist said, “For more than 50 years, NATO has served as a force for stability, security, and peace in Europe. It remains the foundation of security on the continent and the cornerstone of US engagement in Europe. Today, it is the key institution helping to secure a Europe that is whole, free, and at peace.

“NATO has contributed to the democratic transition of our former adversaries in Central and Eastern Europe by fostering the development of new, strong, and democratic allies capable of contributing to our common security goals. NATO’s enlargement over the past decade has strengthened the strongest alliance in history and helped spread democracy and liberty. For this reason, we must keep the door to NATO accession open for others.

“Today, I am proud to introduce legislation along with Senators Lugar, Biden, Smith, and McCain expressing the Senate’s support for the accession of Albania, Croatia, Georgia, and Macedonia to NATO. I welcome the progress made by these countries in implementing the political, economic, and military reforms needed to qualify for NATO membership. Each of these countries has made substantive contributions to peace and stability in the region and has demonstrated a desire for closer integration into this institution.

“The US will continue to work with these countries as they institute the necessary reforms to join the Alliance. And, I look forward to the day when Albania, Croatia, Georgia, and Macedonia become America’s NATO allies, and the most successful alliance in history becomes even stronger.”

To read the entire bill visit http://Thomas.Loc.Gov/home, then Link to Thomas (Library of Congress) and enter the bill name where it asks for it.