Military

DATE=3/29/04

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=BUSH / NATO EXPANSION (L)

NUMBER=2-314584

BYLINE=PAULA WOLFSON

DATELINE= WHITE HOUSE

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: NATO has seven new members, expanding the alliance across Northern and Central Europe to the Russian border. V-O-A's Paula Wolfson reports President Bush welcomed the countries as full and equal partners in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

TEXT: President Bush says these seven countries know the price of freedom and the alliance is made stronger by their presence.

/// BUSH ACT ///

As witness to some of the great crimes of the last century, our new members bring moral clarity to the purposes of our alliance. They understand our cause in Afghanistan and Iraq because tyranny for them is still a fresh memory.

/// END ACT ///

He spoke at the White House just hours after the seven handed over the official documents needed to join NATO. The ceremony is held in America's capital city in large part because the North Atlantic Treaty, signed in Washington in 1949, is kept in U-S archives and membership-related documents are delivered here.

Among those that submitted formal "instruments of accession" to the treaty were Bulgaria, Romania, Slovenia and Slovakia, along with the Baltic nations of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. President Bush noted that at the time NATO was founded 55 years ago, these newest members were Communist-dominated.

/// BUSH ACT ///

They struggled for independence. They earned their freedom through courage and perseverance.

/// END ACT ///

He said the first challenge for NATO after the collapse of the Soviet Union was in the Balkans. The second came in the immediate aftermath of the September 11th 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States. He said the unity and commitment that led NATO to victory in the Cold War is also showing the way to victory in the war on terror.

/// 2nd BUSH ACT///

Europe and America can advance freedom, and give hope and support to those who seek to lift the yoke of isolation and fear and oppression. That is the mission that history has set for NATO, this great and competent alliance of 26 nations. And we proudly accept this mission.

/// END ACT ///

This is the largest single expansion in the history of the alliance, and now that it is complete, 40 percent of the NATO members are countries that were once under Soviet influence. The prime ministers of the newest member countries were all present for the occasion, standing in the bright spring sunshine for the ceremony on the White House lawn.

Hundreds of people looked on. Some cheered, while others waved small flags of the new member nations. Also in attendance were the prime ministers of three countries who hope to be in the next group to join NATO: Croatia, Macedonia and Albania. President Bush told them he supports their efforts.

///3rd BUSH ACT///

The door to NATO will remain open until the whole of Europe is united in freedom and in peace.

/// END ACT ///

Russia has raised concerns about the latest NATO expansion, and has agreed to send a delegation to Brussels for talks Friday with the alliance. On that same day, the flags of the seven new members will be raised for the first time at a ceremony at NATO headquarters in the Belgian capital. (SIGNED)

NEB/PW/KL