Slovak President Rudolf Schuster says that an eventual referendum on Slovakia’s NATO entry could complicate the process of ratification of the country’s membership in the alliance by parliaments in present member countries. During a New Year’s meeting with members of the Slovak Cabinet, Mr. Schuster announced that the accession process to NATO could be finalized already in 2003. He warned that dates of an eventual referendum and the ratification process are dangerously close.

Mr. Schuster further said he is certain that the cabinet will last for the whole election term. At the same time, he believes that despite his disagreement with the ministers over certain laws, cooperation can continue. He requested the cabinet to elaborate an analysis of the impact of reforms on the citizens. He singled out Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ivan Miklos and inquired about a long-term vision for Slovakia. He said it is an issue close to his heart.

According to Prime Minister Mikulas Dzurinda, 2003 should be the year of confirmation of Slovakia’s accession to NATO and European Union. „We want to be well prepared for the entry,“ Mr. Dzurinda said. He admitted that people do not necessarily understand each step that the government takes. He also assured the president that the cabinet has elaborated a study on the impact of reforms on the citizens, but reality can be different.

On Tuesday, the President said that if signatories of the initiative for a referendum on Slovakia’s NATO entry manage to collect 350,000 signatures he is ready to announce the referendum.

The petition started simultaneously at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday in all major Slovak towns. Of the leftist forces, only the Slovak Communist Party (KSS) are open to the idea of a referendum on NATO entry, they have even attempted to open the topic in parliament.

Prime Minister Dzurinda said the petition is not in line with Slovakia’s national interests. Onetime justice minister and Christian-Democratic Movement (KDH) member Jan Carnogursky brought the initiative to media attention. KDH boss Pavol Hrusovsky has distanced himself from Mr. Carnogursky’s activities.