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<TITLE>Proceedings 98</TITLE>
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<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT COLOR="000000" SIZE="6" FACE="Palatino">The
Enlargement of NATO: Slovenia<BR>
As a Reliable Partner </FONT></P>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT COLOR="000000" SIZE="4" FACE="Palatino">Prime
Minister Dr. Janez Drnovšek</FONT></P>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT COLOR="000000" SIZE="3" FACE="Palatino"><B>OPENING
REMARKS</B> </FONT></P>
<P ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT COLOR="000000" SIZE="3" FACE="Palatino">Though
Slovenia established its independence only seven years ago, we have
already started integrating with the European Union and have declared
ourselves a candidate for NATO membership. Slovenia qualified to be
in the first group of candidates for European Union membership and started
negotiations for full membership early this year. At the same time,
Slovenia was mentioned in the Madrid Declaration as one of the two most
qualified candidates for the next round of NATO expansion scheduled to
take place after the upcoming NATO summit in April next year. </FONT></P>
<P ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT COLOR="000000" SIZE="3" FACE="Palatino">We consider
NATO to be an institution that is changing in order to adapt to the new
post-Berlin Wall world situation. We also regard NATO as an
institution that should contribute significantly to world peace and
stability. This is why Slovenia would like to participate in NATO;
not because we feel threatened or because we see short- or long-term
danger for our country and therefore wish to be part of a defense
organization. We would like to participate because we share the same
objectives, values, and way of life with NATO countries, and would like to
work with these countries to ensure stability and peace in Europe and
throughout the world. </FONT></P>
<P ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT COLOR="000000" SIZE="3" FACE="Palatino">Slovenia, a
former Yugoslav republic, has been making a difference since it gained its
independence seven years ago. Since that time we have not been
influenced in any way by the wars and crises near our borders, first in
Croatia, then in Bosnia-Herzegovina, and now in Kosovo. Slovenia has
remained completely outside these situations, and has been, I think, a
strong, economically stable, and democratic state. While considering
Slovenia for membership, NATO has seen Slovenia as very unproblematic and
has also seen my country in a very positive light. This is why I
believe that the Madrid Summit ended with a declaration naming Romania and
Slovenia as candidates for NATO membership in 1999. </FONT> </P>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT COLOR="000000" SIZE="3" FACE="Palatino"><B>FUTURE
NATO ENLARGEMENT</B> </FONT></P>
<P ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT COLOR="000000" SIZE="3" FACE="Palatino">Like
everyone else, Slovenia awaited America’s ratification of the first
three candidates for NATO accession. Now that this has taken place,
we ask: how will NATO enlarge in the future? When will further
enlargement occur? And which countries will be candidates? </FONT></P>
<P ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT COLOR="000000" SIZE="3" FACE="Palatino">It is my
belief that there is now much, much more uncertainty about this issue than
there was at the Madrid Summit. European countries generally
supported Slovenia’s and Romania’s candidacy for membership, and
the United States basically decided to limit the number of first-round new
members. After a good deal of public discussion as well as
opposition to enlargement in the States, we are now asking: Will the
Clinton Administration propose further enlargement in this term? Is
the American position different than it was a year ago? Will further
enlargement be easier? We want to know the current position of the
United States and its leaders. </FONT></P>
<P ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT COLOR="000000" SIZE="3" FACE="Palatino">Judging from
my contacts with European leaders, I see no problems in Europe regarding
our candidacy as well as future enlargement. However, there are
still many issues to be considered, including questions about the Baltic
States and relations with Russia, and the possibility that the next round
of enlargement could cause more political problems than benefits,
especially inside the United States. In addition, while Slovenia
never had any relationship with the former Warsaw Pact or the Soviet
Union, there may still be some reluctance on NATO’s part to include
countries that belonged to or participated in special-interest spheres or
blocs. Because Slovenia is located in Central Europe, many may
believe it was associated with such groups. </FONT> </P>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"><FONT COLOR="000000" SIZE="3" FACE="Palatino"><B>SLOVENIA
AS A RELIABLE WESTERN PARTNER</B> </FONT></P>
<P ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT COLOR="000000" SIZE="3" FACE="Palatino">Slovenia,
though not yet a NATO member, is very much a part of the Western world,
and will remain so. While this position has not yet proven to be an
advantage, because we have no guarantee of future accession, we are
concentrating on continuing our development and say to the world, to NATO
members, “We are here. We think that we are qualified
candidates. We think that we have a strategic position that is
advantageous to NATO. We think that we are very, very prepared, and
that we are a factor of stability in this part of Europe.” </FONT></P>
<P ALIGN="LEFT"><FONT COLOR="000000" SIZE="3" FACE="Palatino">We ask you
to consider these issues rationally, and to remember that they are
serious. These issues cannot be toyed with, nor can our internal
politics nor our expectations. We hope to hear answers to these
issues and our questions in the months to come.</FONT></P>
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