article: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``NATO Expansion Act of 1994''. SEC. 2. FINDINGS. The Congress makes the following findings: (1) On January 10, 1994, the leaders of the NATO member nations meeting in Brussels, Belgium, issued an invitation to European countries that do not belong to NATO to participate in a program of expanded cooperation with NATO called the Partnership for Peace. (2) In that invitation, the leaders of the NATO member nations stated: ``We reaffirm that the Alliance, as provided in Article 10 of the Washington Treaty, remains open to the membership of other European states in a position to further the principles of the Treaty and to contribute to the security of the North Atlantic area. We expect and would welcome NATO expansion that would reach to democratic states to our East, as part of an evolutionary process, taking into account political and security developments in the whole of Europe.''. (3) The political and economic transformation of the formerly communist-ruled countries of Europe has been under way since 1989. In establishing a new Strategic Concept for NATO in November 1991, the leaders of the NATO member nations observed: ``All the countries that were formerly adversaries of NATO have dismantled the Warsaw Pact and rejected ideological hostility to the West. They have in varying degrees, embraced and begun to implement policies aimed at achieving pluralistic democracy, the rule of law, respect for human rights and a market economy.''. (4) In particular, Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia have made significant progress toward establishing democratic institutions, free market economies, civilian control of their armed forces, and the rule of law since the fall of their previous communist governments. SEC. 3. SENSE OF THE CONGRESS. It is the sense of the Congress that-- (1) the leaders of the NATO member nations are to be commended for reaffirming that NATO membership remains open to European countries emerging from communist domination and for welcoming eventual expansion of NATO to include such countries; (2) Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia should be in a position to further the principles of the North Atlantic Treaty and to contribute to the security of the North Atlantic area not later than January 10, 1999, 5 years from the date of the establishment of the Partnership for Peace, and, in accordance with Article 10 of such Treaty, should be invited to become full NATO members not later than that date, provided these countries-- (A) maintain their progress toward establishing democratic institutions, free market economies, civilian control of their armed forces, and the rule of law; and (B) remain committed to protecting the rights of all their citizens and respecting the territorial integrity of their neighbors; (3) the United States, other NATO member nations, and NATO itself should furnish appropriate assistance to facilitate the transition of Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia to full NATO membership not later than January 10, 1999; and (4) other European countries emerging from communist domination may be in a position at a future date to further the principles of the North Atlantic Treaty and to contribute to the security of the North Atlantic area, and at the appropriate time they should receive assistance to facilitate their transition to full NATO membership and should be invited to become full NATO members. SEC. 4. AUTHORITY FOR PROGRAM TO FACILITATE TRANSITION TO NATO MEMBERSHIP. (a) In General.--The President may establish a program to assist the transition to full NATO membership of Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and other European countries emerging from communist domination designated by the President pursuant to subsection (e). (b) Conduct of Program.--The program established under subsection (a) shall facilitate the transition to full NATO membership of the countries described in such subsection by supporting and encouraging, inter alia-- (1) joint planning, training, and military exercises with NATO forces; (2) greater interoperability of military equipment, air defense systems, and command, control, and communications systems; and (3) conformity of military doctrine. (c) Type of Assistance.--In carrying out the program established under subsection (a), the President may provide to the countries described in such subsection the following types of security assistance: (1) The transfer of excess defense articles under section 516 of Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, without regard to the restrictions in paragraphs (1) through (3) of subsection (a) of such section (relating to the eligibility of countries for such articles under such section). (2) The transfer of nonlethal excess defense articles under section 519 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, without regard to the restriction in subsection (a) of such section (relating to the justification of the foreign military financing program for the fiscal year in which a transfer is authorized). (3) Assistance under chapter 4 of part II of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (relating to the Economic Support Fund). (4) Assistance under chapter 5 of part II of that Act (relating to international military education and training). (5) Assistance under section 23 of the Arms Export Control Act (relating to the ``Foreign Military Financing Program''). (d) Additional assistance.--In addition to the security assistance provided under subsection (c), the President may, in carrying out the program established under subsection (a), provide assistance from funds appropriated after the date of the enactment of this Act under the following accounts: (1) The ``Nonproliferation and Disarmament Fund'' account. (2) The ``Countries in Transition'' account. (e) Designation of Other European Countries Emerging From Communist Domination.--The President may designate other European countries emerging from communist domination to receive assistance under the program established under subsection (a) if the President determines and reports to the appropriate congressional committees that such countries-- (1) have made significant progress toward establishing democratic institutions, a free market economy, civilian control of their armed forces, and the rule of law; and (2) are likely, within 5 years of such determination, to be in a position to further the principles of the North Atlantic Treaty and to contribute to the security of the North Atlantic area. SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF STATUS OF FORCES AGREEMENTS. The President is authorized to confer, pursuant to agreement with any country eligible to participate in the Partnership for Peace, rights in respect of the military and related civilian personnel (including dependents of any such personnel) and activities of that country in the United States comparable to the rights conferred by that country in respect of the military and related civilian personnel (including dependents of any such personnel) and activities of the United States in that country. SEC. 6. REPORTING REQUIREMENT. (a) In General.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and at least once every year thereafter, the President shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on the implementation of this Act. (b) Contents.--Each such report shall include-- (1) an assessment of the progress made by Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and other European countries emerging from communist domination designated by the President pursuant to section 4(e) toward meeting the standards for NATO membership set forth in Article 10 of the North Atlantic Treaty, including-- (A) an assessment of the progress of such countries toward establishing democratic institutions, free market economies, civilian control of their armed forces, and the rule of law; and (B) the commitment of such countries in protecting the rights of all their citizens and respecting the territorial integrity of their neighbors; (2) a description of all assistance provided under the program established under section 4, or otherwise provided by the United States Government to facilitate the transition to full NATO membership of Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and other European countries emerging from communist domination designated by the President pursuant to section 4(e); (3) a description of all assistance provided by other NATO member nations or NATO itself to facilitate the transition to full NATO membership of Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and other European countries emerging from communist domination designated by the President pursuant to section 4(e); and (4) a description of any agreement entered into pursuant to section 5. SEC. 7. DEFINITIONS. For purposes of this Act, the following definitions apply: (1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term ``appropriate congressional committees'' means the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Armed Services, and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on Armed Services, and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate. (2) NATO.--The term ``NATO'' means the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. (3) Other european countries emerging from communist domination.--The term ``other European countries emerging from communist domination'' means-- (A) any member of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe located-- (i) in the territory of the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics; or (ii) in the territory of the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia; or (B) Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Bulgaria, or Albania.
summary: NATO Expansion Act of 1994 - Expresses the sense of the Congress with respect to NATO membership of Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia. Authorizes the President to establish a program to assist the transition to full NATO membership for Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and other European countries emerging from communist domination designated pursuant to this Act. Permits the President to provide specified security assistance to such countries, including excess defense articles, economic support fund assistance, international military education and training, and foreign military financing. Authorizes the President to provide additional assistance from the Nonproliferation and Disarmament Fund and Countries in Transition accounts. Permits the President to designate other European countries emerging from communist domination to receive assistance under this Act if he reports to the appropriate congressional committees that such countries: (1) have made significant progress toward establishing democratic institutions, free market economies, civilian control of their armed forces, and the rule of law; and (2) are likely to be in a position to further the principles of the North Atlantic Treaty and to contribute to the security of the North Atlantic area. Authorizes the President to confer, pursuant to agreement with any country eligible to participate in the Partnership for Peace, rights with respect to the military and related civilian personnel and activities of that country in the United States comparable to those conferred by that country with respect to the United States.