§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the meaning of Lord Chesham's statement concerning the enlargement of NATO (H.L. Deb., 14 March, col. 639) that "There is no question of delay, either to suit Russia or anyone else. The process will continue according to the timetable"; what is the character of this "timetable" that it should bind the British Government; and how this state of affairs accords with Lord Chesham's other statement (H.L. Deb., col. 340) that the enlargement process should be continued" in a measured, gradual and transparent way".
§ Baroness Chalker of WallaseyNATO Foreign Ministers decided in December 1996 that NATO should hold a Summit in July 1997 which would invite one, or more of the countries which have expressed an interest in joining the Alliance to begin accession negotiations. At the same time they expressed the hope that the new members would be admitted by the time of NATO's 50th Anniversary in 1999. We strongly support this timetable.