[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 342 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]








109th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 342

 Recognizing the Republic of Croatia for its progress in strengthening 
democratic institutions, respect for human rights, and the rule of law 
  and recommending the integration of Croatia into the North Atlantic 
                          Treaty Organization.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           December 21, 2005

  Mr. Voinovich (for himself, Mr. Hagel, and Mr. Biden) submitted the 
        following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Recognizing the Republic of Croatia for its progress in strengthening 
democratic institutions, respect for human rights, and the rule of law 
  and recommending the integration of Croatia into the North Atlantic 
                          Treaty Organization.

Whereas the United States recognized the Republic of Croatia on April 7, 1992, 
        acknowledging the decision of the people of Croatia to live in an 
        independent, democratic, and sovereign country;
Whereas since achieving their independence, the people of Croatia have dedicated 
        themselves to building a functioning democratic society, based on the 
        rule of law, respect for human rights, and a free market economy;
Whereas Croatia has made progress in judicial reform and has adopted a judicial 
        reform strategy;
Whereas Croatia has demonstrated a desire to protect minority rights and promote 
        a viable multiethnic society;
Whereas, in 2002, Croatia adopted the Constitutional Law on the Rights of 
        National Minorities, ensuring the representation of minorities in the 
        Parliament of Croatia and the establishment of the councils of national 
        minorities;
Whereas the Government of Croatia has concluded specific bilateral agreements on 
        the protection of minority rights with Hungary, Italy, and Serbia and 
        Montenegro and has concluded an agreement on cooperation with 
        representatives of the Independent Democratic Serb Party in the 
        Parliament of Croatia;
Whereas three prominent members of the Parliament of Croatia, Ratko Gajica, 
        Milorad Pupovac, and Vojislav Stanimirovic, who represent the Serb 
        minority, sent a letter to the Assistant to the President for National 
        Security Affairs, Stephen Hadley, expressing their support for the Prime 
        Minister of Croatia, Ivo Sanader, and for Croatia's path toward 
        membership in the European Union and in the North Atlantic Treaty 
        Organization (``NATO'');
Whereas Croatia has shown dedication to advancing the return, reconstruction, 
        and restitution of property in Croatia;
Whereas Croatia has proven to be a reliable partner of the United States in 
        seeking the stabilization of the region;
Whereas Croatia participated in the Iraq International Conference held in 
        Brussels on June 22, 2005, and offered to train and educate nationals of 
        Iraq at universities in Croatia;
Whereas Croatia is taking part in the training of Iraqi security forces at the 
        International Training Center in Jordan and has offered to train 
        additional security personnel for Iraq in Croatia;
Whereas Croatia has been a partner in the war against terrorism, sent troops to 
        Afghanistan as part of the NATO-led International Security Assistance 
        Force in support of the war against terrorism in 2002, and has provided 
        civilians to staff the Provincial Reconstruction Team under the 
        leadership of NATO in Fayzabad;
Whereas, during July 2005, Croatia adopted a decision to triple its military 
        presence in the International Security Assistance Force;
Whereas Croatia has endorsed and is participating in the Proliferation Security 
        Initiative with like-minded nations across the world to prevent the flow 
        of weapons of mass destruction, missile systems, and related material;
Whereas, on June 1, 2005, Croatia was the fourth nation to sign the 
        Proliferation Security Initiative Shipboarding Agreement with the United 
        States to prevent the maritime transfer of dangerous shipments of 
        weapons or other illicit materials to keep such weapons and materials 
        out of the hands of dangerous actors and terrorists;
Whereas, since Croatia has become an independent country, the United States has 
        shown support for Croatia in many ways, including by providing Croatia 
        with economic and military assistance that has contributed significantly 
        to the progress and continued success occurring in Croatia;
Whereas the United States has encouraged Croatia's transformation and the future 
        membership of Croatia in NATO;
Whereas a whole and free Europe cannot be fully achieved without the integration 
        into NATO of all countries that share the common values of democracy, 
        the rule of law, and respect for human rights;
Whereas the Membership Action Plan developed for NATO, which was launched in 
        April 1999, is a program of assistance that provides both goals and a 
        roadmap for countries aspiring to membership in NATO;
Whereas Croatia was invited into the Membership Action Plan in May 2002 and has 
        made substantial progress toward the achievement of the reforms required 
        for receiving an invitation to start accession talks with NATO;
Whereas the United States, Croatia, Albania, and Macedonia are signatories to 
        the United States-Adriatic Charter for Partnership, which promotes Euro-
        Atlantic integration and commits the signatory nations to the values and 
        principles of NATO and to membership in NATO at the earliest possible 
        time;
Whereas Croatia supports regional cooperation as a means of bringing stability 
        to Europe, particularly Southeast Europe, and has cooperated with the 
        countries that neighbor Croatia to promote such stability, including 
        providing technical and other assistance to countries that seek 
        membership in the European Union;
Whereas, on October 3, 2005, the European Union decided to open accession 
        negotiations with Croatia based on the assessment of the European 
        Union's Council of Ministers that Croatia met the political and economic 
        criteria for candidacy in the European Union, including that Croatia was 
        fully cooperating with the International Criminal Tribunal for the 
        former Yugoslavia;
Whereas the cooperation between the Government of Croatia and the Tribunal 
        improved significantly under Prime Minister Ivo Sanader;
Whereas, since November 2003, Croatia has handed over to the Tribunal eleven 
        individuals indicted for war crimes;
Whereas the cooperation of the Government of Croatia with the Tribunal assisted 
        in the arrest of Ante Gotovina on December 8, 2005, in Spain and his 
        transfer to the Tribunal on December 10, 2005;
Whereas the success of the Government of Croatia in bringing war criminals to 
        justice demonstrates the commitment of the Government to move Croatia 
        toward a brighter future of peace, stability, and prosperity for its 
        people; and
Whereas Croatia shares the common interests and values of the free and 
        democratic world: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That--
            (1) since the Republic of Croatia became an independent 
        country, the Government and people of Croatia have made 
        significant progress in strengthening democratic institutions, 
        respect for human rights, and the rule of law in Croatia;
            (2) Croatia's membership in the North Atlantic Treaty 
        Organization (``NATO'') would contribute to stability in 
        Southeast Europe;
            (3) it is the sense of the Senate that--
                    (A) the Government and people of Croatia should be 
                commended for their progress on protecting minority 
                rights in Croatia, progress toward achieving the 
                political, economic, military, and other requirements 
                of NATO's Membership Action Plan, contribution to the 
                International Security Assistance Force and the war 
                against terrorism, and for their constructive 
                participation in the Proliferation Security Initiative 
                and in the United States-Adriatic Charter;
                    (B) the Government of Croatia should be commended 
                for its cooperation with the International Criminal 
                Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia which led to the 
                apprehension and transfer of several individuals 
                indicted for war crimes, including Ante Gotovina, to 
                the Tribunal;
                    (C) the Government of Croatia should continue its 
                cooperation with the Tribunal;
                    (D) the Government of Croatia should continue and 
                strengthen its role as a partner on nonproliferation 
                and its support in the war against terrorism and in 
                Iraq;
                    (E) the Government of Croatia should continue its 
                efforts to implement defense reforms; and
                    (F) the Government of the United States should 
                continue and increase its defense and security 
                cooperation with the Government of Croatia, including 
                through education, training, and technical cooperation, 
                to assist Croatia in the reform process and in 
                fulfilling its requirements for membership in NATO; and
            (4) upon complete satisfaction of the criteria for NATO 
        membership, in accordance with NATO's guidelines, Croatia 
        should be invited to be a full member of NATO at the earliest 
        possible date.
                                 <all>