1.   Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic are the first group of former Soviet bloc allies invited to join NATO.

2.   Foreign currency shortages crippled factories that needed to import technology and raw materials, while tobacco and minerals were bartered with former Soviet bloc allies for low-grade imports.

3.   The former Soviet bloc ally now belongs to NATO and its communist economy, once riven by food shortages, has become a free market one with abundant goods.

4.   Alliance foreign ministers said here Wednesday that NATO was proceeding slowly with plans to expand eastward following Russian opposition to the inclusion of former Soviet bloc allies.

5.   Moscow opposes the extension of NATO membership to its former eastern bloc allies, fearing its marginalisation.