For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
April 11, 2003
Message to the Senate of the United States
April 10, 2003
TO THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES:
I transmit herewith Protocols to the North Atlantic Treaty of 1949
on the accession of Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania,
Slovakia, and Slovenia. These protocols were opened for signature at
Brussels on March 26, 2003, and signed that day on behalf of the United
States and the other parties to the North Atlantic Treaty. I request
the advice and consent of the Senate to the ratification of these
docu-ments. I also transmit for the information of the Senate a report
submitted to me by the Secretary of State regarding this matter.
The end of communism and the consolidation of freedom and democracy
in Central and Eastern Europe have been among the great developments of
human history. NATO played a vital role in defending freedom and
promoting this peaceful change for over 50 years. I am pleased that,
with the advice and consent of the Senate, these new democracies can
soon join us as members of this great Alliance.
As the threats to the Alliance have changed, NATO itself has
adapted to face them. At the Prague Summit in November 2002, I joined
the leaders of NATO not only in inviting these nations to join us as
members, but also in calling for a transformation of NATO's military
capabilities and structures to meet the threats of the 21st century.
NATO is proceeding with that agenda. Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia,
Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia are already making real
contributions to the common security of the NATO Allies, including the
United States, and I am firmly convinced that their full membership in
NATO will strengthen our Alliance further.
I ask the Senate to join me in advancing the cause of freedom and
strengthening NATO by providing its prompt advice and consent to these
Protocols of Accession. My Administration stands ready to assist you
as best we can in your deliberations.
GEORGE W. BUSH
THE WHITE HOUSE,
April 10, 2003.
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