[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 520 Introduced in House (IH)]







107th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 520

 Congratulating Bosnia and Herzegovina on the 10th anniversary of its 
                             independence.


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                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 10, 2002

 Mr. Gilman submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
                the Committee on International Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Congratulating Bosnia and Herzegovina on the 10th anniversary of its 
                             independence.

Whereas Bosnia and Herzegovina declared its independence on March 1, 1992, was 
        recognized by the United States on April 6, 1992, and became a member of 
        the United Nations on May 25, 1992;
Whereas during the 10 years since the recognition, the people of Bosnia and 
        Herzegovina have made significant steps to overcome the legacy of the 
        radical political forces hostile to coexistence of multiethnic society 
        and persevered in building a democratic society, based on the rule of 
        law, respect for human rights, and a free market economy, as shown by 
        the results of the democratic elections held in November 2000;
Whereas the United States has supported the sovereignty, legal continuity, and 
        territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina within its 
        internationally recognized borders and also reaffirms its support for 
        the equality of the 3 constituent peoples and others in Bosnia and 
        Herzegovina as a united multiethnic country, according to the General 
        Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina and associated 
        Annexes negotiated in Dayton, Ohio, and signed in Paris on December 14, 
        1995 (commonly referred to as the ``Dayton Peace Agreement'');
Whereas the people and the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina share the 
        democratic values of the international community and the responsibility 
        to uphold them, actively promoting democratic principles in 
        international relations and in the functioning of international 
        organizations;
Whereas Bosnia and Herzegovina, cooperating on the basis of partnership and 
        solidarity, committed to the common values of security and democratic 
        stability by declaring the commencement of the process of joining the 
        Partnership for Peace program of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization 
        (NATO);
Whereas Bosnia and Herzegovina is a reliable friend and ally of the United 
        States, actively contributing to the stabilization of South Eastern 
        Europe; and
Whereas Bosnia and Herzegovina immediately positioned itself within the 
        antiterrorism coalition of nations, sharing the common interests and 
        values of the free and democratic world: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) commends Bosnia and Herzegovina for the significant 
        progress it has made during the past decade, the implementation 
        of the Dayton Peace Agreement and implementation of the 
        Constituent Peoples' Decision of the Constitutional Court of 
        Bosnia and Herzegovina, and encourages its democratic 
        orientation and the further strengthening of respect for human 
        rights, the rule of law, and a free market economy;
            (2) supports the aspirations of Bosnia and Herzegovina to 
        become a member of the Partnership for Peace, welcomes the 
        commitment to Partnership of Peace membership declared by the 
        Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and affirms the 
        importance of the earliest possible fulfillment of the 
        Partnership for Peace membership requirement of the creation of 
        a joint military command of the armed forces of Bosnia and 
        Herzegovina;
            (3) encourages continuous contributions of Bosnia and 
        Herzegovina toward (A) speeding up the return process, and (B) 
        bringing peace, stability, and prosperity to the region of 
        South Eastern Europe, including by intensifying its cooperation 
        with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former 
        Yugoslavia, in particular with regard to surrendering war crime 
        indictees;
            (4) reaffirms the importance for the future of Bosnia and 
        Herzegovina of its successful participation in the European 
        integration process, welcomes significant improvement of the 
        overall mutual cooperation among the successor states of the 
        former Yugoslavia and strengthening cooperation within the 
        region as a whole, which is important for long-lasting peace 
        and stability in South Eastern Europe;
            (5) encourages the strengthening of Bosnia and Herzegovina 
        state institutions, which will enhance the rule of law and 
        foster additional foreign direct investment, thus advancing its 
        economic recovery and development; and
            (6) recognizes the important role of the Bosnia 
        Herzegovinian-American community in the further improving of 
        bilateral relations between the United States and Bosnia and 
        Herzegovina.
                                 <all>