NATO's Doors Open To Ukraine.

During his official visit to Kyiv, NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer said the alliance’s doors are open to Ukraine however, he refused to set a timetable for membership.  The NATO chief said Ukraine’s entrance will depend on how quickly the country is able to make essential reforms to the military, judiciary, stamp out corruption and ensure the rule of law. He added NATO wanted to see actions not words, and that the March parliamentary elections will be a good measuring stick to see how much progress Ukraine has made.  de Hoop Scheffer said the alliance was ready to do whatever was necessary to help Ukraine make these reforms. President Yushchenko has stated that he wants Ukraine to join the Membership Action Plan (PLAN) by 2007 and NATO in 2008.