Leavenworth Strategist

Croatia, Albania newest NATO members

BRUSSELS, April 2 (UPI) -- NATO Thursday welcomed Albania and Croatia into its family, just in time for the alliance's 60th anniversary.

The addition of the two Balkan countries marks only the sixth time the organization has expanded its membership, bringing to 28 the number of allies that will celebrate six decades since the North Atlantic Treaty was endorsed at an April 4, 1949, ceremony in Washington, the Defense Department said...

Alliance Invites In Croatia, Albania

By Peter Baker
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, April 3, 2008; A08

BUCHAREST, Romania, April 2 -- NATO's political leaders agreed Wednesday night to admit Croatia and Albania into the military alliance, but after a vigorous debate they effectively rejected President Bush's bid to put two former Soviet republics on the path to membership.

The invitations to Croatia and Albania will bring NATO membership to 28 countries, the organization's first expansion in six years as it renews its push to integrate Europe under a common security umbrella. The alliance will not, however, accept a third Balkan state, Macedonia, because Greece decided to veto its application because of a long-standing dispute over the former Yugoslav republic's name.