24 April 1997       Doc. 7812

ADOC7812

WRITTEN DECLARATION No. 254

on the establishment of an informal non-partisan

"NATO anti-enlargement" association of

European parliamentarians

This written declaration commits only the members who have signed it

      The undersigned, members of the Assembly,

1.       Express concern in connection with the plans of the North Atlantic Alliance to admit some countries of central and eastern Europe as members;

2.       Note that a new serious source of tension is being created at present. The plans of NATO movement to the East cause reasonable concern all over Europe and the world and particularly in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. Moreover, those countries do not and will not present any real military threat to anybody;

3.       Consider that the main reason for their negative reaction to NATO enlargement is the fact that the implementation of those plans objectively, irrespective of whatever purpose is pursued, will lead to the creation of new dividing lines in Europe and deterioration of the global geopolitical situation;

4.       Cannot accept the argument that there is no intention to create alienation among the European nations behind the plans for enlargement. The enlargement will inevitably lead to the emergence of such alienation and if psychological, political and military aspects are taken into account, it may lead to a new creeping European confrontation;

5.       Consider that the decision on NATO enlargement will also entail a considerable increase in military spending for the majority of European countries and the aggravation of tax burden for their constituencies, and provoke the curtailment of social programmes. This decision, to their deep conviction, is a tragic mistake. The agreement between Russia and NATO may only mitigate but not remove the inevitable negative consequences of NATO eastward expansion;

6.       Consider that this is a decision with repercussions that will determine the European configuration for decades ahead. Historic responsibility for this development is incumbent on politicians that represent the authorities presently in power;

7.       Have decided, given the acute and topical nature of the problem of the negative impact of NATO enlargement on their common cause, to establish an informal non-partisan association on "NATO Anti-enlargement" within the framework of the Council of Europe. The purpose of this step is to increase the role of parliamentarians and European public opinion in search of ways to establish a new system of democratic security for the entire continent, and to develop a specific programme of actions that will allow them to embark on the road towards this goal;

      The undersigned invite the parliamentarians of the Council of Europe to join these efforts.

Signed: 1

Christodoulides, Cyprus, UEL

Bogomolov, Russia, UEL

Chyzh, Ukraine, UEL

Filimonov, Russia, UEL

Glotov, Russia, UEL

Jirousova, Czech Republic, UEL

Marmazov, Ukraine, UEL

Melnikov, Ukraine, UEL

Oleinik, Russia, UEL

Rakhansky, Ukraine, UEL

Savitsky, Russia, UEL

Sudarenkov, Russia, SOC

Volodin, Russia, UEL

Ziuganov, Russia, UEL

Korakas, Greece, GUE

Dzasokhov, Russia, SOC

Zhebrovsky, Russia, NI

Kostiutkin, Russia, NR

Vishnyakov, Russia, NR

______________

Total = 19

1 ¹       SOC : Socialist Group

      EPP : Group of the European People's Party

      EDG : European Democratic Group

      LDR : Liberal, Democratic and Reformers Group

      UEL : Group of the Unified European Left