[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 83 Introduced in House (IH)]







106th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 83

Expressing the sense of the Congress that the Government of the Federal 
Republic of Yugoslavia and its President Slobodan Milosevic release the 
  three illegally detained United States servicemen and abide by the 
 Geneva Convention protocols regarding the treatment of both prisoners 
                     of war and innocent civilians.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             April 12, 1999

 Mrs. Napolitano (for herself, Mr. Bonior, Mr. Turner, Mr. Rodriguez, 
Ms. Roybal-Allard, Mr. Hinojosa, Mr. Matsui, Mr. Lampson, Mr. Pallone, 
 Mr. Hoyer, Ms. Pelosi, Ms. Berkley, Mr. Delahunt, Mr. Gejdenson, Mr. 
Gephardt, Mr. Kennedy of Rhode Island, Mr. Skelton, Mr. Blumenauer, Mr. 
Kucinich, Mr. Filner, Mrs. Clayton, Mr. Serrano, Mr. Shows, Mr. Taylor 
 of Mississippi, Mr. Capuano, Mr. Weiner, Mr. Frost, Mr. Oberstar, Mr. 
Rothman, Mrs. Maloney of New York, Mr. Bilbray, Mr. Hayes, Mrs. Meek of 
Florida, and Ms. Waters) submitted the following concurrent resolution; 
which was referred to the Committee on International Relations, and in 
    addition to the Committee on Armed Services, for a period to be 
subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration 
  of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee 
                               concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
Expressing the sense of the Congress that the Government of the Federal 
Republic of Yugoslavia and its President Slobodan Milosevic release the 
  three illegally detained United States servicemen and abide by the 
 Geneva Convention protocols regarding the treatment of both prisoners 
                     of war and innocent civilians.

Whereas United States Army Staff Sgt. Andrew A. Ramirez, 24, of Los Angeles; 
        Staff Sgt. Christopher J. Stone, 25, of Smiths Creek, Michigan and San 
        Antonio Texas, and Spc. Steven M. Gonzales, 21, of Huntsville, Texas 
        were abducted from Macedonian territory by Serb forces on March 31, 
        1999, while patrolling the Kumanovo area 3 miles from the southern 
        Yugoslavia border;
Whereas these 3 honorable United States soldiers, serving in noncombatant 
        status, are now in the custody of the Government of the Federal Republic 
        of Yugoslavia and its President Slobodan Milosevic;
Whereas the Geneva Convention, the 1949 treaty setting forth international 
        protocols for the treatment of both civilians and military personnel 
        during armed conflicts and declared wars, stipulates that prisoners of 
        war must at all times be humanely treated, provided any necessary 
        medical assistance, protected against acts of violence or intimidation 
        and against insults and public curiosity and evacuated from any area of 
        danger;
Whereas the Geneva Convention also prohibits putting prisoners of war on trial 
        for engaging in ordinary acts of warfare for which the capturing 
        country's own soldiers would not be charged;
Whereas under the Geneva Convention, the International Committee of the Red 
        Cross (ICRC) has the right to nonsupervised visits of prisoners to 
        ensure they are being treated well;
Whereas the Yugoslav Government has as yet not responded to the ICRC's requests; 
        and
Whereas sanctions can be applied to signatories of the Geneva Convention for 
        failing to abide by the convention: Now, therefore, be it:
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That--
            (1) the United States Government should commend the 3 
        detained United States soldiers for their exemplary service, 
        bravery, duty to their country, and part in helping to ensure a 
        peaceful multiethnic democratic Kosovo on the basis of the 
        Rambouillet Accords;
            (2) the United States Government should continue to 
        forcefully press the Yugoslav Government and its president 
        Slobodan Milosevic for the unconditional release of the 3 
        detained United States servicemen and, in the interim, demand 
        their health and safety, and that the International Committee 
        of the Red Cross be allowed to visit the servicemen and verify 
        their condition without supervision;
            (3) the United States Government should condemn any move on 
        the part of the Government of the Federal Republic of 
        Yugoslavia to put the three detained United States servicemen 
        on trial--an act expressly forbidden by the Geneva Convention;
            (4) the United States Government should hold the Government 
        of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and its President 
        Slobodan Milosevic personally responsible for the welfare of 
        the 3 detained United States servicemen;
            (5) the United States Government should continue to condemn 
        the atrocities committed by the Yugoslav Army or paramilitary 
        forces against civilians in Kosovo, particularly crimes 
        associated with ``ethnic cleansing''; and
            (6) the United States Government should support the 
        prosecution under the Geneva Convention of all commanders of 
        the Yugoslav Army or paramilitary forces taking part in acts of 
        ethnic cleaning against civilians.
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