DUMA COMMITTEES TO APPROVE NATO EXPANSION STATEMENT

MOSCOW, March 25, 2004 (RIA Novosti) - Four committees of the State Duma, parliament's lower house-defence, security, CIS affairs and international-determined to approve a draft statement on forthcoming NATO eastward expansion, but not before major improvements are made on the document. The situation also requires special parliamentary hearings to convene next months on prospects to ratify an agreement adapting the CFE treaty.

The information reached the media in an address by Konstantin Kosachev, international committee head.

When four out of the seven applicant countries join NATO, what is known as "grey zone" will emerge in Europe. Theoretically, NATO may deploy whatever of its conventional arms there, ominously close to the Russian frontier. That is what has made the Duma come out with its statement, explains the MP.

Many Russians see NATO expansion as practical danger, added Vladimir Vasilyev, security committee head. "The public is uneasy as NATO is getting closer to the Russian border." Now is the time to have "extremely serious conversations about Russian security guarantees", he emphasised.

"We intend to make serious talks to prevent Russian security undermined. The NATO influence zone is extending. That is reality, and we are perfectly aware of it, so we have to take thorough stock of our own opportunities to preserve Russia's safety and make its national interests reckoned with," said Victor Zavarzin, defence committee head. He thinks Russian and European parliamentarians-of NATO countries, among them-ought to meet at the negotiation table on the issue.

Seven countries are joining NATO, April 2-Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia-to increase its membership to 26.