NATO's expansion

For more than two generations, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization did an admirable job of keeping the peace in Europe. Because of the demise of the Soviet Union, however, there is a legitimate question of whether NATO needs to stay in business at all, let alone expand.

After spending a half-century under the Soviet yoke, Eastern Europeans are understandably concerned about their security.

Russians, understandably, are jittery about NATO expansion. East European security could be threatened, rather than enhanced, if the jitters turn into paranoia and a renewed arms race. The Hungarians, Czechs and Poles are demonstrating they are committed to freedom, democracy and a market economy.

This should make them prime candidates for inclusion into the European Community. Western European governments, however, are reluctant to proceed.

So, instead of entrance into the EC, the three former Soviet satellites are being offered NATO membership. It is still undetermined how much this will cost U.S. taxpayers.

Boeing and Lockheed-Martin may think this is just dandy, but the bulk of U.S. taxpayers may not be so sanguine when they recognize once again that they are doing Europe's heavy lifting.

-- The Sun-Sentinel, Fort Lauderdale, Florida