PUBLIC LAW 105-277—OCT. 21, 1998 112 STAT. 2681-842 as eligible to receive assistance under the program established under section 203(a) of the NATO Participation Act of 1994 (22 U.S.C. 1928 note) and shall be deemed to have been so designated pursuant to section 203(d)(1) of such Act. (2) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—The designation of countries pursuant to paragraph (1) as eligible to receive assistance under the program established under section 203(a) of the NATO Participation Act of 1994— (A) is in addition to the designation of other countries by law or pursuant to section 203(d)(2) of such Act as eligible to receive assistgmce under the program established under section 203(a) of such Act; and (B) shall not preclude the designation by the President of other emerging democracies in Central and Eastern Europe pursuant to section 203(d)(2) of such Act as eligible to receive assistance under the proi^am established under section 203(a) of such Act. (3) SENSE OF CONGRESS.—It is the sense of Congress that Romania, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Bulgaria— (A) are to be commended for their progress toward political and economic reform and meeting the guidelines for prospective NATO members; (B) would make an outstanding contribution to furthering the goals of NATO and enhancing stability, freedom, and peace in Europe should they become NATO members; and (C) upon complete satisfaction of all relevant criteria should be invited to become full NATO members at the earliest possible date. (c) REGIONAL AIRSPACE INITIATIVE AND PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.— (1) IN GENERAL.—Funds described in paragraph (2) are authorized to be made available to support the implementation of the Regional Airspace Initiative and the Partnership for Peace Information Management System, including— (A) the procurement of items in support of these programs; and (B) the transfer of such items to countries participating in these programs. (2) FUNDS DESCRIBED. — Funds described in this paragraph are funds that are available— (A) during any fiscal year under the NATO Participation Act of 1994 with respect to countries eligible for assistance under that Act; or (B) during fiscal year 1998 under any Act to carry out the Warsaw Initiative. (d) EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY REGARDING EXCESS DEFENSE ARTICLES. —Section 105 of Public Law 104-164 (110 Stat. 1427) is amended by striking "1996 and 1997" and inserting "1997, 1998, and 1999". (e) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS TO THE NATO PARTICIPATION ACT OF 1994. —Section 203(c) of the NATO Participation Act of 1994 (22 U.S.C. 1928 note) is amended— (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ", without regard to the restrictions" and all that follows through "section)"; (2) by striking paragraph (2);
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