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http://news.ft.com/ft/gx.cgi/ftc?pagename=View&c=Article&cid=FT3C22SAZWC&liv e=true&tagid=ZZZAFZAVA0C&subheading=europe Nato plans to admit five states as members By Judy Dempsey in Brussels Published: January 27 2002 20:27 | Last Updated: January 27 2002 21:30 Nato is preparing to include at least five new countries in an enlargement that will require radical changes in the role and functioning of the US-led military alliance. Military planners and diplomats said a majority of the 19 Nato countries want to include the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania as well as Slovenia and Slovakia at Nato's summit in Prague in November. A greater enlargement would be a significant shift for Nato, which is still grappling over how to deal with Russia and unsure what role, if any, it can play in the US-led fight against international terrorism. But, given the pace of reforms among the applicant countries, such as restructuring defence ministries and reducing the size of armies, diplomats said they saw no reason why these five countries could not be admitted in November. Nato, concerned about Russia's reaction, had originally considered admitting only Slovenia and Slovakia, which would join Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary - members since 1999. But Washington has shifted ground, partly in response to pressure from lobbies supporting the inclusion of the three Baltic states, but also to the September 11 attacks on the US. In his visit to Poland last summer, President George W. Bush spoke openly about a large expansion of Nato, brushing aside objections by Russia. "There will be no red lines [on expansion]," he said. This was despite objections from the Russian defence ministry. It has repeatedly warned Nato of the security consequences for Europe if the alliance included the three Baltic states. However, Vladimir Putin, Russia's president, has told the Bush administration he would not veto such an expansion. But if Turkey, France and other countries have their way, enlargement could also include Bulgaria and Romania. Turkey wants both countries included since it could strengthen security in the Balkans, provide Sofia and Bucharest with an incentive to modernise and reform their armies and help to establish a belt of Nato countries in the southern Mediterranean region stretching from Portugal to Turkey. France wants to give Bulgaria and Romania some political incentive since it is unlikely both countries will be ready to join the European Union by 2004. This is the timetable set by the EU for admitting up to 10 countries, the majority from central and eastern Europe. The enlargement debate coincides with a range of issues confronting Nato. There are already differences within Nato over how to bring Russia closer to the alliance in a relationship that would not restrict any of Nato's military actions. There is also uncertainty over how at least five new countries could be integrated into an alliance that makes decisions on consensus. Some countries, for example, want decisions to be made unanimously. --------------------------- ANTI-NATO INFORMATION LIST ==^================================================================ This email was sent to: archive@jab.org EASY UNSUBSCRIBE click here: http://topica.com/u/?a84x2u.a9WB2D Or send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] T O P I C A -- Register now to manage your mail! http://www.topica.com/partner/tag02/register ==^================================================================
