Jeff Bingaman: “I have voiced a number of concerns with regard to the Administration's open-door policy on NATO enlargement, and in…”

“I have voiced a number of concerns with regard to the Administration's open-door policy on NATO enlargement, and in particular the implementation of that policy with regard to the Baltic states. Over the last few days, the Administration and Sen. Biden and his staff have worked closely with myself and my staff to address my concerns. I wish to confirm with Sen. Biden and Sen. Helms that my understanding of certain provisions in the NATO resolution, as modified by the Manager's Amendment, is correct. First, there is the issue of consultations with the Senate. I understand that the Resolution, as clarified by the Manager's Amendment, states that the Senate will be consulted prior to the U.S. consenting to invite any European state to begin accession talks with NATO, as was done for Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic at Madrid last year. This would apply for the Baltic states, and for any other European state seeking admission to NATO. Is that correct?”