Bereuter Elected As Nato Parliamentary Assembly President

ISTANBUL - Doug Bereuter, the leader of the U.S. delegation composed of U.S. House of Representatives was elected on Tuesday as the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA) President.
After being elected as the President, Bereuter said that he will try to focus firstly on strengthening and reinforcing the transatlantic relationship which lies at the very heart of America.
Bereuter said that ''all our experience tells us that many new threats and challenges to our security can be successfully met only through the collective framework of the Atlantic Alliance. Surely, too, it is apparent that our Alliance must adapt to meet the challenges of the new international threats. Only a readily adaptable and rejuvenated NATO is likely to provide the platform for a strengthened transatlantic relationship. In Prague, therefore, we expect our governments to make decisions that will equip NATO to play a more active and effective role in facing the security challenges that lie ahead- Indeed, this is the message that runs through our own draft declaration on NATO Transformation that will be debated by the Assembly later today. A crucial element in this transformation will be the invitation to new members - a policy that this Assembly has consistently supported - therebynot only-adding new-vitality and commitment, but also extending the transatlantic frontiers of stability and security to the east end south-east. Much work will remain to be done by these new members to complete the implementation of changes and reforms - end they will need and can confidently expect to receive our encouragement and support. Likewise, an enlarged NATO must continue to reach out to countries seeking closer association, including a strengthened dialogue with Mediterranean countries and assistance to those areas of increasing strategic importance, such as the Caucasus region.''
''My second priority is a larger Assembly emphasis on the struggle against terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. The recent tragic events in Bali and Moscow once again have confirmed what was apparent after September 11 - that terrorism is a global menace that affects all of our societies. To win a war against terror requires a global response through enhanced international co-operation. No country can tackle this menace on its own. It requires multilateral co-operation at all levels: Full co-operation and co-ordination among the uniformed military services; a heretofore unprecedented sharing among intelligence services; law enforcement departments to work together in a more seamless manner, the vigorous oversight by our national agencies tasked with monitoring illegal financial and commercial transactions; and finally, parliamentary engagement and understanding.''
''My third priority for the Assembly is continuing to improve our relations with Russia. Nothing signifies the change in the strategic environment more than the development of increasingly beneficial dialogue, mutual respect, and co-operation with Russia. Much, however, remains to be done. Suspicions and misperceptions of NATO continue to linger at many levels of Russian society, thus restricting the full exploitation of our potential co-operation. In its activities with the Russian Parliament, the Assembly has played an active role endeavoring to create mutual understanding and trust.''
''Prague continues the precedent established by the Madrid and Washington Summits, As such it is a welcome and deserved recognition of the Assembly's growing significance in building the required consensus and in demonstrating the Alliance's democratic credibility and vitality. I will stress the commitment of this Assembly in an expanded NATO; to continue to strengthen the transparency, openness and accountability that must underpin NATO policies; to work alongside NATO In assisting the spread of stability and security through our programmes of outreach and co-operation; and to provide to and for our governments, as we have in the past, the collective voice of parliamentary and public opinion.''
''I also want to emphasize to the Turkish people and its government, that there is within NATO and this Assembly, very dear recognition that Turkey has an absolutely pivotal role in our collective security. It also has a crucial role as a model for this part of the world in the struggle for, and commitment to, tolerance, moderation and democratic values. We will whole-heartedly support the new Turkish Government leadership as it faces an array of challenges while it continues with the same determination and commitment to those values that we share - thus reaffirming that Turkey remains an integral part of our community of nations. At a time when there are strains between the European Union and some of its member nations, on the one hand, and Turkey on the other, this American, as Assembly President, will do everything I can to constantly reduce those external frictions and reaffirm the importance of Turkey in the Alliance and the Assembly, Turkey needs our support and our encouragement and we need Turkey. I can say, confidently, that within the Assembly, Turkey will receive this support and encouragement. We will all leave Turkey with enduring memories of a vibrant society embracing democracy - and of Turkey as a loyal, stalwart and vital member of this Alliance.''
At the closing session of NATO PA, the declaration prepared by NATO PA Permanent Committee was also discussed.
The proposal of the permanent committee to admit Azerbaijan and Armenia to the permanent committee as an associate member was accepted at the general assembly.
West European Union (WEU) Parliamentary Assembly Chairman Klaus Buehler said in his part that countries which will become EU members in the future have to put forward their commitment about the European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP). He stressed that ESDP without Turkey can not be thought of.
Buehler said that the new government set up in Turkey has taken very important steps in foreign policy, adding that it can be flexible about the Cyprus question. ''Turkey had contributed significantly to NATO and ESDP. This is a contribution to the stability of the region. I regard all sorts of initiatives that will make impossible the EU membership of Turkey as meaningless and unnecessary,'' he said.
OSCE Assembly Chairman Bruce George said in his part that OSCE pursues a policy which extends to the east, adding that ''Turkey will be a very important country for Europe in the coming years.''