Bush, Kallas talk NATO in D.C.

U.S. President George W. Bush told Estonian Prime Minister Siim Kallas in Washington Sept. 4 that the Baltic country has come a long way, but its admission to the EU and NATO is not yet guaranteed.

"You've made a lot of progress, keep up the good pace, but don't take anything for granted," Bush told Kallas, according to an Estonian government spokeswoman.

Kallas made the trip to the United States mainly to emphasize Estonia's enthusiasm for joining NATO, said Hanna Hinrikus, a spokeswoman for the Estonian government.

Kallas told Bush that NATO was not just a military alliance, but a broader value system, Hinrikus said.

The United States' proposal that Estonia sign an agreement granting immunity to American troops from prosecution by the new International Criminal Court also came up at the meeting. Bush told Kallas that Estonia should not see the decision to sign the contract as a choice between the United States and the EU, which supports the court.

"Bush emphasized that this contract is very important for the active foreign policy of the United States," Hinrikus said. "Both sides were hopeful about finding a solution that would satisfy all sides." Kallas recently described this decision as "choosing between mother and father," Hinrikus said.

Estonian legal experts are still reviewing the proposed bilateral agreement and the government has not made a decision yet about it, said Daniel Vaarik, a spokesman for the government.

During the brief meeting, Bush also said that Estonia had been very successful in reforming its economy.

"You have a hopeful society, where it is possible to achieve your dreams," said Bush, according to Estonian officials. "You have taken advantage of the regained independence."