2008 Woodie Awards
Bush hopes to invite new members into NATO
By: THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Issue date: 4/2/08 Section: World
BUCHAREST, Romania - Unflinching from a fight, President Bush said yesterday he fully supports proposals to put ex-Soviet states Ukraine and Georgia on the road toward joining NATO despite French and German qualms it would upset relations with Moscow.
Bush's declaration laid the groundwork for an uncomfortable showdown when leaders of the 26-member military alliance gather in Bucharest for a summit today to Friday. France refused to back down under U.S. pressure.
"France will not give its green light to the entry of Ukraine and Georgia," Prime Minister Francois Fillon said. "We are opposed to Georgia and Ukraine's entry because we think that it is not the correct response to the balance of power in Europe, and between Europe and Russia."
Bush turned up the heat on allies by making a high-profile visit to Ukraine before traveling to Romania.
Soviet-era flags were carried in the streets of Kiev on the eve of Bush's arrival, the president noted. More than half of Ukraine's population, most in the Russian-speaking east and south, is deeply suspicious of the West and opposes membership, polls show.
Brushing aside doubts in Ukraine, Bush said, "Look, this is an interesting debate that's taking place and ... as every nation has told me, Russia will not have a veto over what happens in Bucharest, and I take their word for it. And that's the right policy to have."
Ukraine and Georgia are seeking a precursor to membership known as a membership action plan that spells out what they would have to do to join the alliance. Such a plan could take years to fulfill.
"I'm going to work as hard as I can to see to it that Ukraine and Georgia are accepted into MAP," Bush said. "I think it's in our interests as NATO members, and I think it's in Ukrainian and Georgian interests, as well."
To emphasize Bush's case, the White House released excerpts of a speech he will deliver today just hours before the summit opens.
Granting Ukraine and Georgia an action plan "would send a signal to their citizens that if they continue on the path of democracy and reform, they will be welcomed into the institutions of Europe," according to the speech. "And it would send a signal throughout the region that these two nations are, and will remain, sovereign and independent states."
Bush's declaration laid the groundwork for an uncomfortable showdown when leaders of the 26-member military alliance gather in Bucharest for a summit today to Friday. France refused to back down under U.S. pressure.
"France will not give its green light to the entry of Ukraine and Georgia," Prime Minister Francois Fillon said. "We are opposed to Georgia and Ukraine's entry because we think that it is not the correct response to the balance of power in Europe, and between Europe and Russia."
Bush turned up the heat on allies by making a high-profile visit to Ukraine before traveling to Romania.
Soviet-era flags were carried in the streets of Kiev on the eve of Bush's arrival, the president noted. More than half of Ukraine's population, most in the Russian-speaking east and south, is deeply suspicious of the West and opposes membership, polls show.
Brushing aside doubts in Ukraine, Bush said, "Look, this is an interesting debate that's taking place and ... as every nation has told me, Russia will not have a veto over what happens in Bucharest, and I take their word for it. And that's the right policy to have."
Ukraine and Georgia are seeking a precursor to membership known as a membership action plan that spells out what they would have to do to join the alliance. Such a plan could take years to fulfill.
"I'm going to work as hard as I can to see to it that Ukraine and Georgia are accepted into MAP," Bush said. "I think it's in our interests as NATO members, and I think it's in Ukrainian and Georgian interests, as well."
To emphasize Bush's case, the White House released excerpts of a speech he will deliver today just hours before the summit opens.
Granting Ukraine and Georgia an action plan "would send a signal to their citizens that if they continue on the path of democracy and reform, they will be welcomed into the institutions of Europe," according to the speech. "And it would send a signal throughout the region that these two nations are, and will remain, sovereign and independent states."
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