JOINT BALTIC AMERICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE, INC.
Representing:
ESTONIAN AMERICAN NATIONAL COUNCIL, INC.
AMERICAN LATVIAN ASSOCIATION, INC.
LITHUANIAN AMERICAN COUNCIL, INC.
November 26, 2002
THANKS FROM JBANC
Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania were invited November 21 in Prague to begin accession talks for NATO membership. This is an important milestone for which all Baltic Americans and friends of the Baltics deserve heartfelt thanks from the Joint Baltic American National Committee, Inc.
Once the memberships are ratified by the next NATO Summit in May 2004, the Baltic countries can feel secure for the first time. It will eradicate the consequences of World War Two, it will eliminate the dangers of a gray zone of instability in the Baltic region and it will go a long way toward creating a Europe whole and free, a Euro-Atlantic community of democratic nations allied closely with the United States of America.
We must remember, however, that Prague was the first step. We still have a lot of work to do. We must work together to help along the ratification process in the U.S. Senate and inform the Senators in all the states that Baltic membership in NATO is essential to create a free and secure Europe and a peaceful world.
Thanks to all,
Vello Ederma
Chairman, JBANC
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JOINT BALTIC AMERICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE, INC.
Representing:
Estonian American National Council, Inc.
American Latvian Association, Inc.
Lithuanian American Council, Inc.
400 Hurley Avenue
Rockville, MD 20850
Tel: (301) 340-1954
Fax: (301) 309-1406
E-Mail:jbanc@jbanc.org
Net: http://jbanc.org