[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 309 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







107th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 309

 Expressing the sense of the Senate that Bosnia and Herzegovina should 
  be congratulated on the 10th anniversary of its recognition by the 
                             United States.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             July 26, 2002

 Mr. Biden (for himself, Mr. McCain, and Mrs. Feinstein) submitted the 
 following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign 
                               Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Expressing the sense of the Senate that Bosnia and Herzegovina should 
  be congratulated on the 10th anniversary of its recognition by the 
                             United States.

Whereas the United States reaffirms its support for 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 three constituent peoples and others in Bosnia 
        and Herzegovina in a united multiethnic country, according to the 
        General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina;
Whereas, during the 10 years since its recognition, Bosnia and Herzegovina has 
        made significant progress in overcoming the legacy of the internecine 
        conflict of 1992-1995 instigated by ultranationalist forces hostile to a 
        multiethnic society, and has persevered in building a multiethnic 
        democracy based on the rule of law, respect for human rights, and a free 
        market economy, as shown by the results of the elections held in 
        November 2000;
Whereas most citizens and the national authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina 
        share the democratic values of the international community and feel the 
        responsibility to uphold them;
Whereas the Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina is committed to international 
        security and democratic stability and in that spirit has begun the 
        process of qualifying for membership in the Partnership for Peace; and
Whereas, after the attacks of September 11, 2001 on the United States, Bosnia 
        and Herzegovina, as a reliable friend of the United States, immediately 
        positioned itself within the anti-terrorism coalition of nations, 
        sharing the common interests and values of the free and democratic 
        world: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) commends Bosnia and Herzegovina for the significant 
        progress it has made during the past decade on the 
        implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement and on the 
        implementation of the Constituent Peoples' Decision of the 
        Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina;
            (2) applauds the democratic orientation of Bosnia and 
        Herzegovina and urges the further strengthening by its 
        government and people of respect for human rights, of the rule 
        of law, and of its free market economy;
            (3) urges Bosnia and Herzegovina as rapidly as possible to 
        make fully operational all national institutions and state-
        level governmental bodies mandated by the Dayton Peace 
        Agreement;
            (4) welcomes and supports the aspiration of Bosnia and 
        Herzegovina to become a member of the Partnership for Peace 
        and, pursuant thereto, underscores the importance of creating a 
        joint military command as soon as possible;
            (5) urges the Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina to 
        accelerate the return of refugees and displaced persons and to 
        intensify its cooperation with the International Criminal 
        Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia at The Hague, in particular 
        with regard to surrendering to the Court individuals indicted 
        for war crimes;
            (6) reaffirms the importance for the future of Bosnia and 
        Herzegovina of that country's participation in the European 
        integration process and, in that context, welcomes the notable 
        improvement in mutual cooperation among the successor states of 
        the former Yugoslavia and the strengthening of cooperation 
        within the region as a whole, developments which are essential 
        for long-lasting peace and stability in Southeastern Europe; 
        and
            (7) recognizes the important role of the Bosnian-
        Herzegovinian-American community in the further improving of 
        bilateral relations between the United States and Bosnia and 
        Herzegovina.
                                 <all>