NATO's chief sends clear message to new members: keep reforms going

NATO Secretary-General George Robertson yesterday appealed to the security alliance's new members, Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic, to move ahead more quickly with reforms of their armed forces to ensure a smooth enlargement process in the future. Robertson, speaking during a trip to Prague, Czech Republic, told reporters that the performance of the new members - which have all fallen behind targets in rebuilding their respective armed forces - will be scrutinized by all the pact's member states. "... I come here to say: Keep the reform program going. Make sure you deliver on the promises that you made," he said. Poland spends 1.6% of GDP on defense, falling well below the 2.1% target set by NATO. Heads of NATO will meet in Prague next year to consider further enlargement to other eastern European states. It is widely thought that the performance of the first three former Communist countries will have an impact on whether or not NATO decision makers will support further enlargement. (Reuters)