European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - December 21, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                 to 50, no. 252 35c saturday december 21,1991 d 8693 Russia interested in joining nato Yeltsin discloses by Rosemary Sawyer Brussels Bureau Brussels Belgium a in a letter to a nato meeting of foreign ministers Friday self proclaimed master of the Kremlin Boris n. Yeltsin said Russia would like to eventually join the Alliance. A today we Are raising a question of russians membership in nato however regarding it As a Long term political aim a Yeltsin wrote in a statement to the first joint meeting of foreign ministers from former Warsaw pact nations and the Western Alliance. The russian presidents letter to nato followed his decrees thursday that effectively shut Down the soviet Central government and gave him control of most of its agencies. Nato leaders greeted Yeltsin a suggestion regarding membership with the same not right now reaction it gave similar expressions from former Warsaw pact countries including Poland Czechoslovakia and Hungary. A the did. Not apply for membership. He just raised a question and then mentions himself that he regards that As a Lon term political aim a said nato Secretary general Manfred Womer. A my reaction is simply nothing is excluded. I think we will Nave time enough to develop  Poland a foreign minister Krzysztof Skubiszewski said his country was Content with the developing Liaison Between the Alliance and Central and Eastern see nato on Page 2 British foreign Secretary Douglas Hurd and state Secretary James a. Baker Iii confer.2 More republics join Commonwealth Georgia last holdout As Moldavia Azerbaijan opt for Union Alma Ata . Apr Moldavia and Azerbaijan said Friday they will join Boris n. Yeltsin a Commonwealth bringing to 11 the number of republics gathering for a Pivotal meeting to Jettison the soviet Union. The announcement came As Yeltsin took final control of All branches of the old Central Security service by seizing the powerful soviet foreign intelligence service that was headed by a close Friend of Mikhail s. Gorbachev. Although the russian president Heads into today a meeting in the Kazakhstan capital As the dominant political figure in the land top soviet and russian officials cautioned that the session May not be easy. Yeltsin was ending an official visit to Italy and will Fly directly to Alma Ata where the Tass news Agency said saturdays meeting would include leaders from 11 of the 12 former republics. Georgia the Only Republic that has failed to signal a firm intention to join will Send two High ranking officials As observers the inter fax news Agency said. The expansion of the new Commonwealth of Independent states that was founded dec. 8 by Russia the Ukraine and byelorussian is expected to bring speedy International recognition of the former soviet republics. Nato and the european Community have indicated they Are nearly ready to see republics on Page 2 a . Cargo plane loaded with food left for Russia on Friday. Travel to the soviet Union is Likely to become easier. See Page 3.Cuomo ends the suspense he s not running Albany . Apr new York gov. Mario Cuomo said Friday he will not be a candidate for the democratic presidential nomination saying his first responsibility is to Deal with his state s severe budget  were it not 1 would travel to new Hampshire today and file my name As a candidate in its presidential primary a Cuomo told reporters at a news conference that came barely an hour before the deadline for entering the Lead off primary. A that was my Hope and i had prepared for  All signs had pointed toward a Cuomo candidacy but the governor kept the suspense going right up to the last minute. Aides had a chartered plane standing by at the Albany Airport for most of the Day and picked out a site near the statehouse in Concord for a speech by the new York Democrat a just in Case. Cuomo remained in seclusion at the governors mansion in Albany into the afternoon As the 5 . See Cuomo on Page 2 Mario Cuomo general outline set for military separation plans by Chuck v1nch Washington Bureau Washington a if you Are in the army or air Force have Between six and 20 years of service and Are in a skill year group or pay Grade that is overpopulated you arc Likely to be offered one of the Pentagon a new voluntary separation pay plans. The services Are still working out final details of How they will use the two new programs recently approved by Congress a the voluntary separation incentive Vii and the special separation Benefit sub a As part of their draw Down efforts. But Christopher Jehn the Pentagon a personnel chief said in a recent interview that general plans for the incentives which differ markedly in concept Are already set. A the Law is Clear about the fact that we can to offer the incentives to anyone who does no to have Between six and 20 years of service so that a the first criteria a he said. A secondly i think its fair to say they will be used most extensively in the army and air Force because see general on Page 2