OMRI DAILY DIGEST
No. 62, 27 March 1996

SLOVAKIA RATIFIES TREATY WITH HUNGARY. Just hours after approving the
law on the protection of the republic, the parliament ratified the
Slovak-Hungarian treaty by a vote of 119 to 1 with 19 abstentions,
Slovak media reported. It also adopted two accompanying clauses
specifying that the treaty cannot be interpreted as granting minorities
collective rights or the right to autonomy. The "interpretation" clauses
are not binding on Hungary. Ratification, which was delayed many times
because of opposition from the Slovak National Party (SNS), came more
than one year after the treaty was signed by Slovak and Hungarian Prime
Ministers Vladimir Meciar and Gyula Horn. The SNS in January finally
agreed to support the treaty on condition that several laws were
approved, including the one on protection of the republic. Ethnic
Hungarian deputies abstained from the vote, complaining that since the
treaty was signed, the parliament has taken several steps to restrict
minority rights. -- Sharon Fisher

CONFLICT OF INTERESTS BILL DIVIDES HUNGARIAN PARLIAMENT. All seven
Hungarian parliamentary parties seem to disagree over the conflict of
interests bill, currently being discussed in parliament. Hungarian
dailies on 27 March reported that the most contentious issues are when
the law should take effect and whether deputies should be permitted to
hold other positions or participate in business activities. The bill was
proposed by five parliamentary parties after six years of political
wrangling, while the Young Democrats were opposed to it. Most deputies
agree that the issue should have been long settled, since the
parliament's reputation has suffered over cases such as "Oilgate," in
which deputies and ministers were accused of involvement in suspicious
deals related to Russian oil shipments to Hungary (see OMRI Daily
Digest, 8 December 1995). -- Zsofia Szilagyi

[As of 12:00 CET]

Compiled by Jan Cleave


date=3/26/96
type=correspondent report
number=2-194884
title=NATO Enlargement
byline=Valonda Bruinton
dateline=Washington
content=
voiced at:

Intro:  Possible expansion of the North Atlantic Treaty
Organization to include formerly communist countries in Central
and Eastern Europe is a point of contention for non-NATO member
Russia.  But, as V-o-A's Valonda Bruinton reports, senior U-S
specialist in international defense Stan Sloan believes Russia
has more to gain than lose by cooperating on the issue.

Test:  Russia has repeatedly made clear it is firmly opposed to
expanding NATO.  Russian leaders say an expanded alliance could
threaten their national security and lead to a new division of
Europe.

In an interview, Mr. Sloan, who works for the congressional
research service, said Russia would benefit by expansion.

                        /// Sloan act ///

         From my point of view its in Russia's interest to
         maintain a door open to the west, with absolutely no
         self interest in Russia's side to close the door to the
         west when Russia so badly needs the ties to the western
         economic system.

                        /// End act ///

Mr. Sloan explained NATO needs to review its mission, purpose,
and techniques before it invites new members.  He recommends NATO
begin the study at its June ministerial meeting in Berlin.

He suggested the review conclude in May or June 1997.  The
alliance could then begin to identify the countries with which it
wants to negotiate.

He explains the rest of the process would fall into place and
give the allies time to work through their differences.

                       /// Sloan act ///

         The schedule then would mean that negotiations with
         candidate countries would begin in the first half of
         1998 and that would put that process in parallel with
         the process of countries beginning negotiations for
         membership in the European Union.  I happen to think
         that that kind of a schedule fits more effectively with
         the various positions of alliance countries and the
         problems that the alliance faces.

                         /// End act ///

Mr. Sloan said Central European countries are the closest to
being ready for negotiation.

According to Mr. Sloan, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Hungary
are regarded as the leading candidates.  He said if the countries
begin negotiations in the next few years, they probably would
join by the year 2000 -- presuming the process works.

He said Slovenia is also a nation seen as a candidate for early
membership, while Albania is a good way down the road.

Mr. Sloan says the bottom line is -- if NATO does not enlarge
when countries demonstrate they have met the criteria, the
alliance will be in danger of loosing its spirit.  He said NATO
stands for something and has to continue to uphold its stand in
order to remain a strong, respected force.   (Signed)

neb/vb/rae

26-Mar-96 12:35 pm est (1735 utc)
nnnn

source: Voice of America