On April 27, 1998 Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) introduced an amendment to the NATO resolution on the Senate floor which singles out the Baltic countries from the other eligible NATO candidates. It states that the President must consult with the Senate in advance of inviting the Baltic countries to join NATO.

Isolating the Baltic countries from other NATO candidates undermines Euro-Atlantic security. It sends a signal to the countries in Central and Eastern Europe that the "open door" policy for NATO enlargement has been closed. In the long term, signaling out the Baltics from the others would adversely affect the interests of the United States.

The Senate is expected to conclude its debate and vote on the NATO resolution this week.

The number for the Capitol Switchboard is (202) 224-3121.

ACTION:
1) Please call your Senator Today
2) Urge them to vote NO on the Bingaman amendment
3) Urge your Senator to OPPOSE any amendments to the NATO resolution proposing to:
--------Put a mandated pause on the second wave of enlargement
--------Separate the Baltics from the other eligible NATO candidates

TALKING POINTS:
A) Partial enlargement will leave a vacuum in Europe, encouraging anti-Western forces in Russia and compromising Western security.
B) Isolating the Baltic countries from other eligible NATO candidates would shut NATO’s open door, adversely affecting Central and Eastern Europe and U.S. interests.