[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1070 Introduced in House (IH)]







110th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1070

  Expressing strong support for Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia to be 
   extended invitations for membership to the North Atlantic Treaty 
    Organization at the April 2008 Bucharest Summit, and for other 
                               purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             April 1, 2008

  Mr. Pascrell (for himself, Mr. Souder, Mr. Pomeroy, Mrs. Miller of 
Michigan, and Mr. Engel) submitted the following resolution; which was 
              referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Expressing strong support for Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia to be 
   extended invitations for membership to the North Atlantic Treaty 
    Organization at the April 2008 Bucharest Summit, and for other 
                               purposes.

Whereas the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) will hold a Heads of State 
        and Government summit at Bucharest, Romania, in April 2008;
Whereas NATO has successfully defended the territories and interests of its 
        members for more than 50 years and contributed to the spread of freedom, 
        democracy, stability, and peace throughout Europe;
Whereas Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia have been preparing for NATO membership 
        for more than 8 years since the launch of the Membership Action Plan and 
        are undergoing a historic process of democratic and free market 
        transformation after emerging from decades of occupation;
Whereas Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia have made important progress toward 
        establishing civilian control of their militaries and demonstrating 
        their ability to operate with the military forces of NATO nations at 
        Alliance standards;
Whereas Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia continue to make important contributions 
        to the International Security Assistance Force, mandated by the United 
        Nations and operated under NATO leadership, which assists the Government 
        of Afghanistan in extending and exercising its authority and influence 
        throughout Afghanistan to create the conditions for stabilization and 
        reconstruction;
Whereas Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia have made important improvements in 
        their democratic processes, including--

    (1) embracing ethnic diversity;

    (2) respecting human rights;

    (3) building a free market economy; and

    (4) promoting good neighborly relations;

Whereas Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia can play important roles in NATO 
        activities in southeastern Europe through their unique geostrategic 
        position and by deterring and disrupting efforts by any party to 
        destabilize the region through violence;
Whereas NATO conducted military operations against the Federal Republic of 
        Yugoslavia to further the objective of a lasting peace in Kosova;
Whereas the United States has diplomatically recognized the independence of 
        Kosova and should support the integration of Kosova into international 
        and Euro-Atlantic institutions;
Whereas lasting stability and security in southeastern Europe requires the 
        military, economic, and political integration of emerging democracies 
        into existing European structures;
Whereas Article 10 of the North Atlantic Treaty, signed in Washington, DC, on 
        April 4, 1949, states: ``any other European state in a position to 
        further the principles of this Treaty and to contribute to the security 
        of the North Atlantic area'' may be granted NATO membership; and
Whereas the Riga Summit Declaration, issued by NATO in November 2006, reaffirms 
        that ``NATO remains open to new European members'': Now, therefore, be 
        it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes that the political independence and 
        territorial integrity of emerging democracies in southeastern 
        Europe are vital to European peace and security and to the 
        interests of the United States;
            (2) recognizes that the expansion of the North Atlantic 
        Treaty Organization (NATO) contributes to the Alliance's 
        continued effectiveness and relevance;
            (3) supports continued enlargement of NATO to include 
        qualified candidates; and
            (4) supports inviting Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia to 
        join the Alliance at the NATO Summit in Bucharest, Romania, in 
        April 2008.
                                 <all>