BUSH TALKS TO SLOVENIA'S PRIME MINISTER

WASHINGTON, May 17 (Hina) - US President George W. Bush received Slovenia's Prime Minister Janez Drnovsek in the White House on Friday. The two talked about the next round of NATO's expansion which will be decided at a summit of the Organisation in Prague. #L# Keeping in mind Washington's attitude that NATO should accept as many current candidates as possible, Slovenia seems sure to be invited to Prague even though NATO has suggested that too little is being earmarked from the budget for defence. Brussels, more so than Washington, objects to Ljubljana purchasing an aircraft for Drnovsek out of defence resources. "We feel certain in the alliance of countries that share the same values, even though Slovenia is under no threat in the short or middle term," Slovenia's Prime Minister said. A White House spokesman, Ari Fleischer, said that Bush and Drnovsek talked about bialteral relations between the two countries and on circumstances in the region, particularly in Bosnia and Serbia. Slovenia's reporters covering Drnovsek's visit to the USA estimate that Slovenia's accession to NATO is being accepted more in the State Department than it is in the Pentagon. Following talks with Colin Powell on Thursday, Drnovsek said that US State Secretary did not specify which countries would be invited to the summit in Prague, but Slovenia had a real chance to participate. (hina) sp sb