VOA常速英语2008年-Pentagon: Georgia, Ukraine May Not Join NATO fo

By Al Pessin
Pentagon
21 March 2008

The Pentagon says U.S. support for efforts by Georgia and Ukraine to join NATO does not necessarily mean the countries will join the alliance anytime soon.  But a spokesman says Defense¹ Secretary Robert Gates agrees it is time to start what could be a long process.  VOA's Al Pessin reports from the Pentagon.

A spokesman says Secretary Gates discussed Georgia's effort to begin the NATO membership process during a meeting with Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili at the Pentagon on Thursday.  That was the day after President Bush met with the Georgian president and said he will urge NATO leaders at their summit in Bucharest next month to approve Georgia's Membership Action Plan.

Russia opposes the plan for the former Soviet² Republics to join the western alliance.  But Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell says even with Membership Action Plans that will likely not happen for a long time.

"I think it's important not to confuse MAP with membership," he noted³.  "It is what its name implies it is.  It's a Membership Action Plan.  You know that three of the countries that are up for membership in Bucharest, Croatia, Albania and Macedonia have been going through MAP for the past decade.  So this can be a long process.  And it's designed to encourage democratic and military reforms, and along the way to, sort of, recognize the progress they've made."

Morrell notes that countries with a NATO Membership Action Plan do not come under the alliance's protection unless and until they actually join, which must be approved by all the other members. 

NATO leaders are expected to issue formal invitations to Croatia, Albania and Macedonia at their summit in April.  Albania and Macedonia have been working on their membership plans for nine years, and Croatia has been working on its plan for six years.

1 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

2 Soviet   

adj.苏联的，苏维埃的；n.苏维埃

参考例句：

• Zhukov was a marshal of the former Soviet Union.朱可夫是前苏联的一位元帅。
• Germany began to attack the Soviet Union in 1941.德国在1941年开始进攻苏联。

3 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。