Spring 1998 Board Resolution - NATO Expansion

JINSA Board of Directors Resolution NATO expansion (passed)

Whereas the demise of the Soviet Union and the dissolution of the Warsaw Pact created a security vacuum in Central Europe,

Whereas a commitment to the principles of democracy and free market economics has been exhibited to varying degrees among the countries of the former Warsaw Pact,

Whereas the governments of those countries have exhibited a desire to link their economic, political and military future to Western Europe rather than Russia,

Whereas the NATO Alliance serves a strictly defensive purpose and operates by the consensus of the membership, its enlargement poses no threat to Russia or other non-member countries, and

Whereas the United States has served since WWII as the guarantor of Western European security and continues to provide leadership for the Atlantic Alliance,

The Board of Directors of The Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs (JINSA) strongly believes that undertakings which help integrate the emerging democracies of Central Europe into the Western orbit also help reduce the likelihood of future wars in Europe. JINSA believes that the U.S. has an obligation to exhibit leadership on this issue.

The Board of Directors resolves to support the expansion of NATO to include those former Warsaw Pact countries that have met the standards by which new members are being judged, including:

• A truly democratic system of government with appropriate institutions, a stable political system and respect for human rights;
• Substantial economic reform, including privatization, a working market economy and reform of structural problems;
• Civilian control over the military based upon a legal framework;
• An intention to maintain good relations - economic, political, military and cultural - with their neighbors;
• The ability to work closely and effectively with the existing members of NATO in all aspects of military doctrine and practice.

The Board supports the expansion of NATO to include membership for Hungary, the Czech Republic and Poland.