LJUBLJANA, March 18 (Hina) - Slovenia's entry into NATO is something what the country's political class rather than people needs, and this is the main thesis promoted by opponents of the admission into the alliance a few days ahead of
a national referendum on Slovenia's joining the European Union and NATO.
LJUBLJANA, March 18 (Hina) - Slovenia's entry into NATO is
something what the country's political class rather than people
needs, and this is the main thesis promoted by opponents of the
admission into the alliance a few days ahead of a national
referendum on Slovenia's joining the European Union and NATO. #L#
Some of those who oppose it are a few minor parliamentary parties,
including the National Party led by Zmago Jelincic, which believes
that the prospects of the failure of the referendum on Slovenia's
entry into the Alliance could be strengthened by a probable
military operation of the U.S. and British forces in Iraq.
Jelincic's party calls on Premier Anton Rop and Foreign Minister
Dimitrij Rupel to resolutely distance themselves from the American
attack on Iraq.
Most outstanding Slovenian officials have called on the electorate
to vote for the country's entry into NATO, having in mind positive
effects of that act for the coming generations and the national
economy.
According to analysts, results of the recent opinion polls suggest
that, contrary to the Slovenians' support to the European Union,
the backing of voters for the entry into the alliance has
considerably varied lately. Foreign Minister Rupel has warned that
the struggle for NATO in the Slovenian public has not yet been won.
(hina) ms sb