[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