NATO in Fear of Possible Slovenian Referendum

NATO fears that Slovenia will not manage to ratify the protocols for accession of Croatia and Albania to the alliance by the April NATO summit or US President Barack Obama's first visit to Europe, especially if there is a referendum.

Everybody expects a new, fresh wind from the new US president, but the question looms if the wind will be stopped or slowed by a "no" from a member state to the accession of two new countries, Jelusic said after meeting NATO Secretary-General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer. De Hoop Scheffer was concerned by the latest developments regarding Slovenia's ratification of Croatia's and Albania's NATO accession protocols, in particular last week's delay of the vote on the ratification in the National Assembly.

It is not sure whether Slovenia, so far a credible member of the international community, would be able to ratify the protocols before the NATO summit following all the steps of the democratic procedure. The organisation would like to mark its 60th anniversary with a fresh round of enlargement, so the secretary-general hopes the ratification will be completed on time, added Appathurai. Croatia and Albania have passed all accession procedures so far and Slovenia consented to all the steps, Jelusic pointed out and warned that Slovenia could lose its international credibility and good name, which could take years to repair.

The minister hopes Slovenia will not need to be pressured by the international community, whose hopes are high. However, the protocols still have to be ratified in eight other NATO members. Slovenia must follow reason and not just emotions, she said and added that a number of political steps can be expected next week to enable a new session of the National Assembly and the speedy ratification of the protocols.

If Slovenia retains its credibility by participating in NATO, EU and UN future operations, the problematic project of the eight-wheeled armoured vehicles might be met with understanding even though it is not in accordance with the country's plans for 2012-2013.