[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 540 Engrossed in House (EH)]


                 In the House of Representatives, U.S.,

                                                        March 11, 2004.
Whereas on February 26, 2004, President Boris Trajkovski of the Republic of 
        Macedonia was tragically killed in a plane crash in Bosnia-Herzegovina 
        while he was on his way to an international investment conference;
Whereas Mr. Trajkovski served Macedonia as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs 
        from December 21, 1998 until he was inaugurated as President on December 
        15, 1999;
Whereas Mr. Trajkovski stood up for what he believed was right and moral, even 
        when he faced opposition within Macedonia;
Whereas under Mr. Trajkovski's leadership, Macedonia was one of the first 
        countries to publicly support Operation Iraqi Freedom and to commit 
        troops to the effort;
Whereas during Macedonia's armed ethnic clashes Mr. Trajkovski demonstrated his 
        willingness to work with all of Macedonia's ethnic groups, which helped 
        to prevent a civil war;
Whereas Mr. Trajkovski was a strong believer in free markets and worked 
        tirelessly to bring development and investment to Macedonia;
Whereas under President Trajkovski's leadership, Macedonia negotiated an 
        agreement with the United States under Article 98 of the Rome Statute of 
        the International Criminal Court, signed the agreement on June 30, 2003, 
        and ratified the agreement on October 16, 2003, thereby helping to 
        ensure United States citizens will not be subject to politically 
        motivated prosecutions;
Whereas Mr. Trajkovski worked to foster peace for the entire Balkan region and 
        to integrate Macedonia into the international community; and
Whereas the death of Mr. Trajkovski is a tragedy for the people of Macedonia: 
        Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) expresses its deepest sympathies to the people of the Republic 
        of Macedonia, the family of President Boris Trajkovski, and the families 
        of the other crash victims;
            (2) expresses its desire for a smooth and orderly transition of 
        power; and
            (3) expresses the solidarity of the people of the United States with 
        the people of Macedonia and the Macedonian Government during this 
        tragedy.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.