Demonstrators protest Ukraine's bid to join NATO in a rally in central Kyiv.
Photo: Dmitry Azarov
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US Congress Backs Ukraine, Georgia’s NATO Membership
The U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday voted to support Georgia and Ukraine’s bids to join NATO, the RIA Novosti agency reports.
The House’s majority backed the NATO Freedom Consolidation Act on Tuesday after it had been approved by the Senate. The legislation is now to be signed by U.S. President George Bush.
The document, which calls for the “timely admission” to the alliance of Albania, Croatia, Macedonia, Georgia and Ukraine, emphasizes that the two former Soviet republics are in close cooperation with NATO, endeavoring to meet the required admission criteria.
The bill also contains recommendations to include Georgia and Ukraine into the U.S. security assistance program ahead of their NATO entry. The United States has already allocated budget funds to back the two countries’ membership in the Alliance.
The United States is to spend $12 million in 2008 to assist Albania, Croatia, Georgia, Macedonia and Ukraine in joining NATO, according to the U.S. congress budget department.
www.kommersant.com
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