Political Quotes

Tom Harkin: “I will respond with a couple of things. First of all, I have to ask again the question: Can these three members, these…”

On the recordApril 28, 1998
I will respond with a couple of things. First of all, I have to ask again the question: Can these three members, these three nations, can they afford membership in NATO or can they not? Can they afford to bear the burden or can they not? We have been told they can. One of the requirements for membership is they can pay the tab. These three nations have stated over and over they could afford it. Now I am hearing, wait a minute, no, maybe they can't, because now we will have to give them a lot of subsidies to buy weapons systems. Well, if that is the case, then do they have the economic strength to join NATO? It seems like we cannot have it both ways. If they have the economic strength, why do they need all the subsidies? If they don't, are they really capable of joining NATO? Secondly, yes, I am concerned about these types of giveaway programs and loans and grants.
Said by
Tom Harkin
Democratic · Iowa
Source
govinfo.gov

Editor's note · Context

Discussing the economic implications of NATO membership for certain nations.

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