[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 315 Introduced in House (IH)]






108th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 315

   Expressing the sense of Congress that construction by the Russian 
 Federation of a dam in the Kerch Strait region raises major concerns 
   for the territorial integrity of Ukraine, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            October 29, 2003

     Mr. Weldon of Pennsylvania submitted the following concurrent 
   resolution; which was referred to the Committee on International 
                               Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
   Expressing the sense of Congress that construction by the Russian 
 Federation of a dam in the Kerch Strait region raises major concerns 
   for the territorial integrity of Ukraine, and for other purposes.

Whereas the United States Government has and continues to recognize its 
        commitment to the independence and territorial integrity of the 
        sovereign nation of Ukraine;
Whereas the United States is a guarantor of Ukraine's security under Memorandum 
        on Security Assurances for Ukraine in connection with Ukraine's 
        accession to the Treaty on Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons of 
        December 5, 1994;
Whereas Ukraine became one of the original members of the United States-led 
        coalition to fight international terrorism, and has the fourth largest 
        military contingent participating in joint stabilization forces in Iraq;
Whereas Ukraine has taken major steps to stem nuclear proliferation by ratifying 
        the START I Treaty on nuclear disarmament and the Treaty on the Non-
        Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, subsequently, on June 1, 1996, turning 
        over the last of its Soviet-era nuclear warheads, and agreeing, in 1998, 
        not to assist Iran with the completion of a nuclear power plant in 
        Bushehr, which was thought to possibly produce weapons of mass 
        destruction;
Whereas in accordance with Article 2 of the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation 
        and Partnership between Ukraine and the Russian Federation of May 31, 
        1997, parties agreed to respect each country's territorial integrity and 
        confirmed borders;
Whereas Article 3 of this Treaty provides that the parties shall build their 
        relations on the principles of mutual respect and sovereign equality, 
        territorial integrity, respect of borders, non-interference in internal 
        affairs, cooperation among states, fulfillment of international 
        obligations and other universally recognized norms of international law;
Whereas in accordance with Article 5 of the Treaty between Ukraine and the 
        Russian Federation on Ukrainian-Russian State Border of January 28, 
        2003, issues relating to adjacent sea islands are to be settled by 
        agreement of the two parties pursuant to international law; and
Whereas construction by the Russian Federation of a dam in the Kerch Strait 
        region raises major concerns for the territorial integrity of Ukraine: 
        Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That it is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) preserving independent, sovereign, and democratic 
        Ukraine within its existing internationally recognized borders 
        fully corresponds to the national interests of the United 
        States as it has been reiterated since the establishment of 
        diplomatic relations between the United States and Ukraine and 
        such independence and sovereignty should not be challenged in 
        any form;
            (2) the Government of the Russian Federation should adhere 
        to the provisions of the Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and 
        Partnership between Ukraine and the Russian Federation of May 
        31, 1997, and other major agreements pertaining to resolution 
        of this matter;
            (3) the Russian Federation should desist from any actions 
        that may infringe upon the territorial integrity and borders of 
        Ukraine;
            (4) all differences arising between Ukraine and its 
        neighbors, including the Russian Federation, should be resolved 
        on the principle of sovereign equality and mutual respect 
        without resorting to threat or use of force; and
            (5) a stable and democratic Ukraine that integrates into 
        the Euro-Atlantic structure is an essential element of European 
        security and the United States should support the accession of 
        Ukraine to NATO membership.
                                 <all>