Dick Lugar: “last evening in the debate, we had a good discussion of the need for the Senate to affirm through this action today that…”

“last evening in the debate, we had a good discussion of the need for the Senate to affirm through this action today that NATO should be expanded as a general principle. We also established that there ought to be very careful criteria for that expansion and examination of each of the candidates, as opposed to a done deal at the end of the trail, in which the Senate then receives a treaty without that careful examination country by country. I have appreciated the colloquy with the Senator from Virginia, Senator Biden, and myself in which I think we established both of those facts--the desirability for a more robust NATO, and that would include more members, likewise--members that in fact carry their weight. As the Senator from Virginia pointed out, Americans may be involved in an article 5 declaration to defend those countries that would come in. In addition, we would anticipate that they would defend us. Madam President, I point out that we are having this debate at this point very largely because the President of the United States has asked us to have it. Likewise, we have received correspondence from the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense pointing out how imperative it is that we take this action to affirm that the United States stands solidly in terms of expansion of NATO and the careful consideration of its membership.”