III 111th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 673 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES September 29, 2010 Mr. Leahy submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations RESOLUTION Expressing the sense of the Senate that it values the active participation of the Republic of Macedonia as the state partner of the Vermont National Guard over the past 15 years.

Whereas the National Guard State Partnership Program was created by the Department of the Army in 1993 to link foreign partner countries with segments of the National Guard to foster mutual interests and establish long-term relationships; Whereas in March 1995, after the signing of the Memorandum for Understanding in 1994, a Vermont State Partnership Program was established between the State of Vermont and the Republic of Macedonia; Whereas since 1995, Macedonia and Vermont have participated in more than 200 joint activities; Whereas more than 4,000 members of the Ministry of Defense and armed forces of Macedonia have received knowledge and training according to the standards, tactics, and strategies of the United States Armed Forces; Whereas the joint activities of the Vermont Macedonia state partnership have shown the military of Macedonia how the military of the United States operates and have prepared and trained soldiers for international engagements, civil-military operations, crisis management, economic development, higher education, and environmental policy; Whereas Macedonia has participated in NATO-led and international military missions in Afghanistan since August 2002 and increased troop levels in 2010; Whereas the Government of Macedonia has made a substantial contribution of troops to the NATO International Security Assistance Force relative to the population size of the country; Whereas the Government of Macedonia participates in regional cooperation initiatives and provides assistance to neighboring countries; Whereas during the Kosovo crisis of 1999, territory in Macedonia served as a staging area and main corridor for logistical support to the NATO Kosovo Force (commonly referred to as KFOR); Whereas the Government of Macedonia has led the KFOR Coordination Centre for logistical support in Skopje since 2006; Whereas in the interest of a faithful partnership with the United States, the Government of Macedonia deployed troops to Iraq under the leadership of the Government of the United States until 2008; Whereas soldiers from Macedonia earned 120 medals awarded by the United States; Whereas in July 2006, the Government of Macedonia deployed a helicopter detachment unit and medical team to Bosnia and Herzegovina as part of Operation Althea led by the European Union, which continues today; and Whereas since April 2010, troops from Macedonia have deployed to Afghanistan and have been embedded in the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the Vermont National Guard as a result of the longstanding military partnership and spirit of mutual confidence and cooperation between Macedonia and Vermont: Now, therefore, be it

That the Senate— (1)recognizes the cooperation between the State of Vermont and the Republic of Macedonia and the joint military partnership between the Vermont National Guard and the Army of the Republic of Macedonia for the past 15 years; (2)greatly appreciates these efforts by the Republic of Macedonia and congratulates the Government and people of Macedonia on their commitment to and participation with the Government and people of the United Sates and other countries in advancing peace, democracy, stability, and mutual understanding among governments and people around the world; and (3)expresses appreciation for the joint endeavors of the Governments of Macedonia and the United States in combating terrorist activities around the world.