The question of NATO enlargement seems to have been, at least partially, decided. In July 1997, NATO heads of state will meet in Madrid, Spain, to issue an invitation to Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and possibly one or two other Central European countries, to join the Alliance. It is hoped that the admittance of the first group of new members will be complete by 1999, the fiftieth anniversary of NATO. The initiative has not been welcomed by Russia. With the induction of these new states, NATO forces could be deployed near Russia’s borders. Indeed, the Kremlin has warned that, should expansion proceed in a manner it determines to be against its interests, Russia might consider merging with Belarus to create a large new state on the borders of eastern Europe. For east and central Europeans, integration represents affirmation that they are an integral part of “Europe”; for Russians it is a perceived threat to their security.
