[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 83 Referred in Senate (RFS)]

  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 83


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             April 19, 1999

      Received and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                         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 detained United States servicemen and abide by the Geneva 
   Conventions regarding the treatment of both prisoners of war and 
                               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 captured on March 31, 1999, while patrolling the Kumanovo area;
Whereas these 3 honorable United States soldiers are now in the custody of the 
        Government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and its President 
        Slobodan Milosevic;
Whereas the Geneva Conventions, the 1949 treaties setting forth international 
        requirements for the treatment of both civilians and military personnel 
        during armed conflicts, 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 Third 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 Conventions, 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 parties to the Geneva Conventions for 
        failing to abide by the conventions: 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 patriotism, bravery, 
        service, and duty to their country;
            (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, to 
        guarantee their health and safety, and permit the International 
        Committee of the Red Cross to visit the servicemen and verify 
        their condition without supervision, and that all other 
        provisions of the Geneva Conventions be fully respected;
            (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 or subject them to public display; and
            (4) the United States Government should hold the Government 
        of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and its President 
        Slobodan Milosevic directly responsible for the welfare of the 
        3 detained United States servicemen.

            Passed the House of Representatives April 15, 1999.

            Attest:

                                                 JEFF TRANDAHL,

                                                                 Clerk.