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Transcript/ScriptFOR USAGM SHARE
((PLAYBOOK SLUG: US-SWEDEN-FINLAND (TV)
HEADLINE: Biden Supports Sweden, Finland’s Bids to Join NATO
TEASER: Biden calls Sweden, Finland’s bids to join NATO alliance ‘a victory for democracy in action,” pledges support
PUBLISHED AT: Thursday, 05/19/2022 at 618p
BYLINE: Anita Powell
CONTRIBUTOR: Milena Durdic
DATELINE: The White House
VIDEOGRAPHER: AP/AFP
VIDEO EDITOR:
SCRIPT EDITORS: Newhouse, BR SR
VIDEO SOURCE (S): AP, AFP, ZOOM (WITH LICENSE), Skype
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV _X_ RADIO __
TRT: 3:47
VID APPROVED BY: Jepsen
TYPE:
EDITOR NOTES: There are TWO OPT SOTS in here, in RUSSIAN and TURKISH))
((INTRO:))
[[President Joe Biden on Thursday enthusiastically welcomed bids by Finland and Sweden to join NATO – expanding the security alliance to include two of Europe’s most modern militaries right on Russia’s northwest border. VOA’s Anita Powell reports from the White House.]]
((NARRATOR))
Meeting with the leaders of Sweden and Finland at the White House Thursday, President Joe Biden said NATO members have many reasons to swiftly admit the two nations into the alliance.
((U.S. President Joe Biden))
"Sweden and Finland have strong democratic institutions, strong militaries, and strong and transparent economies. And a strong moral sense of what is right. They meet every NATO requirement, and then some."
((NARRATOR))
Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson said her nation brings much to the 30-member defensive alliance, which was started after World War II to counter Soviet aggression.
((Magdalena Andersson, Prime Minister of Sweden (in English) ))
"Our shared values and beliefs in democracy and freedom. Values and beliefs that are now being put to the test. And today, the situation in Ukraine reminds us of the darkest days of European history. And I must say that during dark times it is great to be among close friends."
((NARRATOR))
((MANDATORY COURTESY Russian Defense Ministry))
But some analysts say this move could further provoke Russia.
((RADIO: Melanie Sisson is a fellow at the Brookings Institution. She spoke to VOA via Zoom))
((Melanie Sisson, Brookings Institution))
((Mandatory cg: Zoom))
“I do worry that the expansion of NATO to add Finland and Sweden is provocative. And I worry that – whatever one's view about the value of having them in the alliance – I'm not sure that working that issue right now is wise and actually, I think, shows some lack of strategic patience.”
((NARRATOR))
Russian President Vladimir Putin has described NATO’s eastward expansion as a threat to Russia, and cited Ukraine’s desire to join the alliance as a reason for his decision to invade in February.
((OPT – but keep in script to make available to Eurasia services))
((Vladimir Putin, President of Russia))
"The expansion of NATO - this is a problem that is created completely artificially, because it is done in the foreign policy interests of the United States. In general NATO has become a foreign policy instrument of one country."
((END OPT))
((NARRATOR))
Biden said Congress is likely to approve the applications.
But NATO member Turkey stands in the way. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accuses the applicants of giving a haven to “terrorists” and imposing sanctions on Turkey.
((OPT for Eurasia services))
((Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkish President))
"We asked for 30 terrorists to be extradited, but they (Sweden) said they wouldn't. You will not hand over terrorists to us, but you will ask us to allow you to join NATO. NATO is a security entity. It is a security agency. Therefore, we cannot say 'yes' to depriving this security organization of security."
((END OPT))
((NARRATOR))
Finland’s president said his government has reached out to Ankara.
((Sauli Niinistö, President of Finland (in English) ))
"As NATO allies, we will commit to Turkey's security, just as Turkey will commit to our security. We take terrorism seriously. We condemn terrorism in all its forms, and we are actively engaged in combating it."
((NARRATOR))
And the former U.S. Ambassador to NATO told VOA that NATO could soon see even more membership bids.
((Kurt Volker, Former U.S ambassador to NATO))
((Mandatory cg: Skype))
“If Finland and Sweden, which are democracies, EU members, powerful militaries – if they don't think that it is safe to be outside of NATO, then clearly the countries that have been left out until now – the ‘gray-zone countries,’ if you will – Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, some of the Balkans, they cannot possibly consider themselves safe without NATO either. So it’s going to increase that demand.”
((NARRATOR))
Later Thursday, Biden departed for his first presidential trip to Asia, where he will visit U.S. allies South Korea and Japan and attend a summit of Quad leaders. Those meetings are likely to also feature lengthy discussions on the situation in Ukraine.
((Anita Powell, VOA News, the White House))
NewsML Media TopicsConflict, War and Peace
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateMay 19, 2022 18:27 EDT
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
