[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 209 Reported in Senate (RS)]
Calendar No. 234
108th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. CON. RES. 209
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
June 24, 2003
Received and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations
July 25 (legislative day, July 21), 2003
Reported by Mr. Lugar, with amendments, amendments to the preamble, and
an amendment to the title
[Omit the part struck through and insert the part printed in italic]
_______________________________________________________________________
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Commending the signing of the United States-Adriatic Charter, a charter
of partnership among the United States, Albania, Croatia, and
Macedonia.
Whereas the United States has an enduring interest in the independence,
territorial integrity, and security of Albania, Croatia, and The Former
Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and supports their full integration in
the community of democratic Euro-Atlantic states;
Whereas Albania, Croatia, and The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia have
taken clear and positive steps to advance their integration into Europe
by establishing close cooperative relations among themselves and with
their neighbors, as well as their promotion of regional cooperation;
Whereas Albania, Croatia, and The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia have
already contributed to European security and to the peace and security
of southeast Europe through the resolution of conflicts in the region
and their regional cooperation in the Southeast Europe Defense
Ministerial;
Whereas on May 2, 2003, the United States-Adriatic Charter was signed in Tirana,
Albania, by Secretary of State Colin Powell, <DELETED>Albanian Foreign
Minister Ilir Meta, Croatian Foreign Minister Tonino Picula, and
Macedonian Foreign Minister</DELETED> Albania Foreign Minister Ilir
Meta, Croatia Foreign Minister Tonino Picula, and The Former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia Foreign Minister Ilinka Mitreva;
Whereas the Adriatic Charter affirms the commitment of Albania, Croatia, and The
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to the values and principles of
the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and to joining the
Alliance at the earliest possible time;
Whereas Secretary of State Powell stated that the Adriatic Charter ``reaffirms
our partners' dedication to work individually, with each other, and with
their neighbors to build a region of strong democracies powered by free
market economies . . . [i]t underscores the importance we place on their
eventual full integration into NATO and other European institutions . .
. [a]nd most importantly, the Charter promises to strengthen the ties
that bind the peoples of the region to the United States, to one
another, and to a common future within the Euro-Atlantic family''; and
Whereas <DELETED>75 Albanian special forces troops were sent to Iraq as part of
the coalition forces during Operation Iraqi Freedom, 29 Macedonian
special forces troops were sent to Iraq as part of the postwar
stabilization force, and Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia</DELETED> 75
special forces troops of Albania were sent to Iraq as part of the
coalition forces during Operation Iraqi Freedom, 29 special forces
troops of The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia were sent to Iraq as
part of the postwar stabilization force, and Albania, Croatia, and The
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia all contributed to the
stabilization forces in Afghanistan, as signs of their commitment to
promote international freedom and security: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That Congress--
(1) strongly supports the United States-Adriatic Charter
and commends Albania, Croatia, and The Former Yugoslav Republic
of Macedonia for their continued efforts to become full-fledged
members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and
the European Union;
(2) urges NATO to invite Albania, Croatia, and The Former
Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to join NATO as soon as each of
these countries respectively demonstrates the ability to assume
the responsibilities of NATO membership through the Membership
Action Plan;
(3) welcomes and supports the aspirations of Albania,
Croatia, and The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to join
the European Union at the earliest opportunity;
(4) recognizes that Albania, Croatia, and The Former
Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia are making important strides to
bring their economic, military, and political institutions into
conformance with the standards of NATO and other Euro-Atlantic
institutions; and
(5) commends Secretary of State Powell for his personal
support of the Adriatic Charter.
Amend the title so as to read: ``A bill commending the
signing of the United States-Adriatic Charter, a charter of
partnership among the United States, Albania, Croatia, and The
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.''.
Calendar No. 234
108th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. CON. RES. 209
_______________________________________________________________________
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Commending the signing of the United States-Adriatic Charter, a charter
of partnership among the United States, Albania, Croatia, and
Macedonia.
_______________________________________________________________________
July 25 (legislative day, July 21), 2003
Reported with amendments, amendments to the preamble, and an amendment
to the title