Slovaks warned
again
For the second time in two months, the United States has warned Slovakia against electing former Prime Minister Vladimir Meciar if it wants to join NATO.
Nicholas Burns, the U.S. ambassador to NATO, this week said Washington still viewed Mr. Meciar as the same authoritarian anti-West leader that killed Slovakia's chances of joining the Atlantic alliance in the last round of expansion.
"The former government, we believe, did not demonstrate a commitment to democracy and the rule of law. The United States was therefore unable to support Slovakia's candidacy to NATO in 1997 for that reason," Mr. Burns told a news conference Wednesday in the Slovak capital of Bratislava.
"There is no evidence that the leadership of the party has changed and that remains a fundamental concern of our government."
Last month, Ronald Weiser, the U.S. ambassador to Slovakia, issued a stronger warning.
"If the situation repeats itself, there will not be an invitation," Mr. Weiser said.
Mr. Meciar's Movement for a Democratic Slovakia remains the most popular political party in the Slovak Republic, as it prepares for September elections. Julia Sellers, the party's U.S. representative, said yesterday that the latest public opinion poll puts voter support at 33 percent.
She declined to comment on the remarks of the two U.S. ambassadors.
"They have the right to express the views of the American administration," she said. "But it's for the people to decide. People trust us."
Mrs. Sellers said the party has always favored NATO membership.
"People are saying, 'yes,' to Mr. Meciar. They are saying, 'yes,' to NATO," she added.
