41.   Leaders at the summit planned to invite the first group of ex-East bloc nations to start negotiations on joining the EU early next decade.

42.   Many former East bloc nations see membership as a stepping stone to joining other Western organizations such as the European Union or NATO.

43.   Many former Soviet bloc nations see the program as a step toward eventual NATO membership.

44.   Market reformers are firmly in power in the Czech Republic and a few other former Soviet bloc nations.

45.   Meanwhile, Bulgaria on Saturday became the seventh former East bloc nation to formally apply for EU membership.

46.   Most of the Black Sea countries are former Soviet bloc nations or ex-Soviet republics.

47.   Most Poles, Czechs and Hungarians will applaud when the three former East bloc nations officially join NATO during ceremonies in the United States on Friday.

48.   Mrs. Clinton leaves Monday for two days of meetings in Warsaw with representatives of Baltic governments and the newly independent former Soviet bloc nations.

49.   Moscow protested the inclusion of the former Soviet bloc nations, but was unable to halt the move.

50.   NATO is expected to issue invitations to several former Soviet bloc nations at its summit in July.