[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 451 Engrossed in House (EH)]


                 In the House of Representatives, U.S.,

                                                      October 10, 2000.
Whereas on June 10, 1999, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) military 
        air operation in the former Yugoslavia victoriously concluded with the 
        withdrawal of all Serbian police, paramilitary, and military forces from 
        Kosova;
Whereas after the NATO victory, the international community mobilized assistance 
        that helped feed and house more than 1,000,000 Kosova refugees before 
        the first post-war winter;
Whereas nearly 1,000,000 refugees and hundreds of thousands of internally 
        displaced persons attempted to return to their homes in Kosova in the 
        belief that a peaceful, stable, and just society would be created 
        through their diligent efforts, supported by the international 
        community;
Whereas United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 (June 10, 1999) 
        established the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) as the sole 
        administration of the province until such time as its political status 
        is decided;
Whereas some 2,000 citizens were illegally detained and kidnapped to Serbia by 
        Serbian forces as they withdrew from Kosova in violation of the Geneva 
        Conventions and international humanitarian law;
Whereas an additional 5,000 Kosova citizens are believed to be detained in 
        Serbian prisons;
Whereas the international mission in Kosova successfully negotiated an agreement 
        with the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) to disband and publicly hand over 
        its weapons;
Whereas hundreds of Kosova Albanian citizens have been prevented from returning 
        to their homes in the divided city of Mitrovice by Serb Kosova citizens 
        who are believed to be assisted by Serb paramilitaries who have 
        illegally re-entered Kosova;
Whereas although the initiation of the recent operation between the NATO-led 
        peacekeeping force in Kosova (KFOR) and UNMIK to confirm international 
        authority throughout northern Kosova is welcomed, KFOR and UNMIK must 
        fully implement their plan and take appropriate action to ensure that 
        all residents are able to return to their homes;
Whereas the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in 
        Europe (OSCE) have set the date for local municipal elections in Kosova 
        for October 28, 2000;
Whereas the assertion of authority over the Trepca mining complex by UNMIK is 
        welcomed and an assessment of its environmental hazards and financial 
        viability should proceed as quickly as possible in order to maximize 
        employment for Kosovar citizens;
Whereas although daily life in Kosova in the summer of 2000 is significantly 
        improved in comparison to the violence, devastation, and chaos that 
        plagued the region during armed conflict in 1999, more must be done to 
        develop a self-sustaining economy that discourages the rise of criminal 
        elements;
Whereas, in view of the disproportionate share of the military costs borne by 
        the United States during the NATO operation, the European Union has 
        agreed that it will undertake the major share of the costs for economic 
        reconstruction in Kosova;
Whereas the European Commission and the World Bank have estimated the costs for 
        the reconstruction of Kosova over the next 4 to 5 years at 
        $2,300,000,000, with nearly half that amount available to be spent by 
        the end of 2001; and
Whereas the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs 
        Appropriations Act, 2000 (as enacted by section 1000(a)(2) of Public Law 
        106-113) capped United States pledges of assistance for Kosova at the 
        subsequent Kosova donors conference at 15 percent of the total resources 
        pledged by all donors: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That--
            (1) the European Union should continue to bear the primary 
        responsibility and costs for the economic reconstruction of Kosova, and 
        take all necessary steps to ensure that its future budgets provide the 
        required resources in a timely fashion;
            (2) the administration of all baseline services such as police, 
        sanitation, water, telecommunications, and electrical supply should be 
        put into the hands of the people of Kosova at the earliest possible 
        date;
            (3) the strategy for economic reconstruction in Kosova should be 
        focused on utilizing private investment and empowerment of the people of 
        Kosova to take charge of their livelihoods;
            (4) the United States Government should make it a priority to 
        promote noncorrupt government and business practices in Kosova by 
        providing judicial training and technical advice and assistance to 
        police, border police, and customs officers;
            (5) the United Nations Security Council should demand the immediate 
        and unconditional return of all Kosova prisoners from Serbia;
            (6) the international peacekeeping force in Mitrovice should take 
        immediate measures to ensure that all the residents are able to return 
        in security to their homes;
            (7) all the citizens of Kosova should avail themselves of the 
        opportunity to democratically express their political preferences by 
        participating in the elections on October 28, 2000;
            (8) the resolve of the international community to work towards 
        lasting peace, stability, and justice in Kosova will not be deterred by 
        Slobodan Milosevic's provocations within the region; and
            (9) all citizens of Kosova should adhere to the principles 
        enunciated by community leaders at the Airlie House declaration of July 
        23, 2000, where all parties agreed to a rigorous Campaign Against 
        Violence, representation of all citizens in municipal councils, 
        surrendering of illegal weapons, a commitment to counter Slobodan 
        Milosevic's influence in Kosova, and to dissolve any other illegitimate 
        governing and security structures.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.