Increasing and deepening linkages to Western Europe are seen as central by all the actors in Eastern Europe. For the European Community, the challenge is to not sacrifice the achievements of unity by overextention in Eastern Europe. On the other hand, Europe has a stake in stability in these recently liberated areas. Moreover, whichever Western European country assumes a greater share of the responsibility for reconstruction and development will lay claim to future greater influence in the region. Finally, the United States role is worth noting.
Several features stand out.
In this important period of transition, the United States is constrained by two factors. First, the Soviet threat no longer serves as an ideological justification for involvement. This image shared by U.S. elites is not inconsequential in shaping U.S. policy. Second, the United States lacks the resources to finance a new Marshall Plan for Eastern Europe. In addition, it is by no means clear that substantial aid will achieve the desired result.