Poland, NATO, and the Bear
Abstract
In December 1993, the Foreign Minister of Poland, Andrcej Olechowski, told an audience at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, "... at the forthcoming NATO summit President Clinton will articulate his vision of trans-Atlantic security and prosperity, and a strong and unbreakable link between the United States and Europe. And we must insist that Poland...be included in such a Europe." At a later point in his speech he added that Poland "has to be anchored in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization." This paper will address reasons for Poland's request, what NATO offered in reply, possible ramifications of NATO's actions, and policy options open to the United States in this arena. Poland does not stand alone in its search for security under the NATO umbrella. Several ex-Warsaw Pact countries have made the same request. This paper will focus on Poland because it has led the nations of East-Central Europe in the transition from communism to a free market system and will probably act as the forerunner in that region's national security dealings. For that reason, even though the paper will be looking primarily at Poland, the issues discussed here also will pertain to the majority of East-Central Europe.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1994
- Accession Number
- ADA440566
Entities
People
- Foster Bitton
Organizations
- National War College