[Senate Treaty Document 110-20]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



110th Congress 
 2d Session                      SENATE             Treaty Doc. 110-20
_______________________________________________________________________
 
PROTOCOLS TO THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY OF 1949 ON ACCESSION OF ALBANIA 
                              AND CROATIA

                               __________

                                MESSAGE

                                  from

                   THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

                              transmitting

PROTOCOLS TO THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY OF 1949 ON THE ACCESSION OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA AND THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA ADOPTED AT BRUSSELS ON 
 JULY 9, 2008, AND SIGNED THAT DAY ON BEHALF OF THE UNITED STATES AND 
             THE OTHER PARTIES TO THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY




 July 23, 2008.--Treaty was read the first time, and together with the 
accompanying papers, referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations and 
            ordered to be printed for the use of the Senate
                         LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL

                              ----------                              

To the Senate of the United States:
    I transmit herewith, for Senate advice and consent to 
ratification, Protocols to the North Atlantic Treaty of 1949 on 
the Accession of the Republic of Albania and the Republic of 
Croatia. These Protocols were adopted at Brussels on July 9, 
2008, and signed that day on behalf of the United States and 
the other Parties to the North Atlantic Treaty. Also 
transmitted for the information of the Senate is the report of 
the Department of State, which includes an overview of the 
Protocols.
    NATO enlargement remains an historic success in advancing 
freedom, stability, and democracy in the Euro-Atlantic area. 
Albania and Croatia serve as two more examples of countries 
motivated by the prospect of NATO membership to advance 
significant and difficult political, economic, and military 
reforms. Their efforts and success demonstrate to other 
countries in the Balkans and beyond that NATO's door remains 
open to nations willing to shoulder the responsibilities of 
membership. I am pleased that, with the advice and consent of 
the Senate, these new democracies can soon join us as members 
of this great Alliance.
    I ask the Senate to join me in advancing the cause of 
freedom and strengthening NATO by providing its prompt advice 
and consent to ratification of these Protocols of Accession. My 
Administration stands ready to assist you in any way we can in 
your deliberations.

                                                    George W. Bush.
    The White House, July 23, 2008.
                          LETTER OF SUBMITTAL

                              ----------                              

                                       Department of State,
                                         Washington, July 16, 2008.
The President,
The White House.
    The President: I have the honor to submit to you, with a 
view to their transmission to the Senate for advice and consent 
to ratification, Protocols to the North Atlantic Treaty of 1949 
on the accession of the Republic of Albania and the Republic of 
Croatia. These Protocols were opened for signature at Brussels 
on July 9, 2008, and were signed on that day on behalf of the 
United States of America and the other parties to the North 
Atlantic Treaty.
    The Protocols propose adding the Republic of Albania and 
the Republic of Croatia to NATO as members, with all the 
privileges and responsibilities that apply to current Allies. 
The core commitment to these states will be embodied in the 
existing text of the North Atlantic Treaty of 1949, including 
the central collective defense provision in Article 5. I 
believe these countries merit this commitment on our part and 
that they share our common commitment to democratic values and 
are prepared to act as responsible Allies. The U.S. decision to 
pursue the enlargement of NATO has had bipartisan support 
across several administrations. I am therefore confident that 
the Senate will grant its advice and consent to ratification of 
these Protocols, after due deliberation, without hesitation.
    These two countries have made the difficult decisions 
needed to advance reforms and become vibrant democracies with 
vigorous market economies. Their accession to the Alliance will 
be a major step toward realizing your vision of a Europe whole, 
free, and at peace.
    Respectfully submitted.
                                                  Condoleezza Rice.

                                Overview

    The Protocols are identical in structure and composed of 
three Articles. Article I provides that, once the Protocol has 
entered into force, the Secretary General of NATO shall extend 
an invitation to the named state to accede to the North 
Atlantic Treaty, and that, in accordance with Article 10 of the 
Treaty, the state shall become a Party to the Treaty on the 
date it deposits its instrument of accession with the 
Government of the United States of America. Article II provides 
that the Protocol shall enter into force when each of the 
parties to the North Atlantic Treaty has notified the 
Government of the United States of America of its acceptance of 
the Protocol. Article III provides that the English and French 
texts shall be equally authentic, and calls for deposit of the 
Protocol in the Archives of the Government of the United States 
of America, the depositary state for the North Atlantic Treaty.



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