Eastern European, Baltic leaders back West in new war

SOFIA, Bulgaria -- Declaring solidarity with the West in the war on terrorism, the leaders of 10 Eastern European and Baltic countries urged NATO on Friday to expand its military alliance and tighten security across the continent.

Meeting under heavy security at Bulgarian President Petar Stoyanov's residence, the heads of state said the Sept. 11 attacks underscored the need to bring their nations into NATO and present a more united front to terrorist elements.

Challenge of the century

Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus, who was visiting Washington when the Pentagon was attacked, called the need for a broader alliance "the biggest security challenge of the 21st century.

"We need to protect our children. We need an alliance that is strong and capable of carrying out this mission," he said. "We cannot fight and win the war on terrorism with the methods of our enemies. We must reinforce liberty and democracy and the other ideals which unite us."

Friday's summit, also attended by the leaders of Albania, Croatia, Estonia, Latvia, Macedonia, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia, ended with a solemn statement that "our governments will fully support the war against terrorism.

"The lesson we draw from the terrorist attacks in the United States is that the security of America and Europe is more intertwined than ever before," the statement continued. "The new democracies of Europe can help counter terrorist and criminal threats to the community of the West."

Growing enthusiasm

Enthusiasm for NATO membership has grown in Eastern Europe and the Baltics since former Warsaw Pact members Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic joined in 1999. At a 2002 summit in Prague, NATO members are expected to clear the way for several new countries to join the 19-nation alliance.

Although Russia strongly opposes the eastward expansion of NATO, which would bring the alliance right to its doorstepin nations like the Baltic states, President Vladimir Putin softened his opposition earlier this week -- suggesting that Russia and NATO could find common ground in the fight against terrorism.

In a message to the Sofia conference, President Bush said the U.S. supported NATO membership "for all of Europe's new democracies -- from the Baltics to the Black Sea -- who share our values."