May 1, 2003 Floor Debate Scheduled to Begin May 6 Washington DC (JBANC) - The Senate Foreign Relations Committee on April 30 voted unanimously in favor of amending the Protocols of Accession to enlarge NATO by admitting seven new members to the Alliance. Those countries are Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Romania and Bulgaria. The committee voted 19-0, thus moving the decision now on to the full Senate. The Senate will debate the enlargement of NATO beginning May 6, with a vote expected to occur soon thereafter. Foreign Ministers of the seven invited countries have been asked to come to Washington, DC next week in anticipation of a positive Senate vote. The Joint Baltic American National Committee, Inc. (JBANC), representing a million Americans of Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian heritage, circulated a letter to the entire Senate, asking for a positive vote on NATO enlargement. In the letter, JBANC chairman John Bolsteins noted advances made by the three Baltic countries, and their support and cooperation as partners with the U.S. and other Allies in joint military and peacekeeping operations. Bolsteins added that enlargement “will help cement the security and stability so long sought after in that region.” Testifying before the Senate Committee on April 29, Secretary of State Colin Powell gave final administration endorsement for the robust enlargement of NATO. Sen. Richard Lugar (R-IN), Chairman of that Senate panel in a statement prior to the hearing said that by acting to support enlargement, the Senate “will re-affirm the utility and necessity of our alliance relationships.” Democratic Ranking Member Joe Biden (D-DE) added “there is no doubt in my mind that the Alliance will be fortified by the admission of members whose passionate commitment to democracy - - and to the transatlantic relationship - - stems from the recent raw and painful memory of having suffered under totalitarian rule.” Each of the 19 NATO member nations must vote in favor of enlarging NATO to admit the new countries. Canada and Norway have already done so. It is expected that the seven will officially join the Alliance in May 2004. |
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