1.   Had Washington pushed Baltic membership now, he said, it would have seriously worsened larger European strategic interests.

2.   Over the weekend, Russia said it could never tolerate Baltic membership in the Western military alliance.

3.   Balts regard NATO membership as their best security guarantee and they see the hesitancy to address Baltic membership as a concession to Russia.

4.   But the Kremlin vehemently opposes Baltic membership, viewing it as a potential threat to Russian security.

5.   Gailis and Estonian Premier Tiit Vahi agreed the turn of the century was the target for Baltic membership.

6.   He said Russia would support Baltic membership in the EU.

7.   Moscow objects to Baltic membership, saying their entry would be seen as a threat to Russia.

8.   Moscow said recently that Baltic membership might trigger a Russian military buildup.

9.   Moscow has strongly opposed Baltic membership in an expanded NATO.

10.   Other German leaders, including Foreign Minister Klaus Kinkel, are said to be more supportive of the Baltic membership bid.