date=9/5/94
type=correspondent report
number=2-164618
title=East Europe / Defense (l-only)
byline=Alena Kenclova
dateline=Prague
content=
voiced at:

Intro:  Defense ministers from Poland, Hungary and Slovakia, and
the deputy defense minister of the Czech Republic met in
Bratislava  today (Monday) to discuss coordinating their
countries' moves to join NATO.  Alena Kenclova reports from
Prague.

Text:  At the meeting, Poland proposed that countries seeking a
quick entry into NATO set up a group to be called a "Club of
active NATO partners".  According to Polish defense minister
Piotr Kolodziejczyk, the move would be aimed at bringing new
members into the alliance before the year 2000.

The Czech news agency reports the proposal is to be discussed by
experts from each country next month at a meeting in Warsaw.
Poland is also preparing a conference of officials of the four
Central European countries and NATO that would focus on the goals
of the partnership for peace program.

The meeting in Bratislava was the second get-together of top
defense officials from the so-called Visegrad Countries-- Poland,
Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic-- since last January.
The Czech Republic came under fire again for sending only the
second-highest official from the defense ministry.

First deputy minister Jiri Pospisil, who represented the Czech
Republic at the talks, said his country opposes creation of
another security organization.

According to Slovak defense minister Pavol Kanis, NATO has yet to
tell applicants what requirements they will have to meet to be
able to join the alliance.  He said he believes this lack of
clarity on the part of NATO results from its vague policy toward
Russia.


The defense officials agreed to meet again in Budapest next May.
(Signed)

neb/ak/skh/pt

05-Sep-94 3:46 pm edt (1946 utc)
nnnn

source: Voice of America


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