IV 108th CONGRESS 2d Session H. RES. 540 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES February 26, 2004 Mr. Souder (for himself and Mr. Wolf) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on International Relations RESOLUTION Expressing the condolences and deepest sympathies of the House of Representatives for the untimely death of Macedonian President Boris Trajkovski.

Whereas on February 26, 2004, President Boris Trajkovski of The Former Yugoslav 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 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

That the House of Representatives— (1)expresses its deepest sympathies to the people of The Former Yugoslav 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.