[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 33 (Wednesday, March 22, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E379-E380]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   INTRODUCTION OF H.R. 4053, THE UNITED STATES-SOUTHEASTERN EUROPE 
             DEMOCRATIZATION AND BURDENSHARING ACT OF 2000

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 22, 2000

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am today introducing H.R. 4053, the United 
States-Southeastern Europe Democratization and Burdensharing Act of 
2000, a measure that authorizes continued assistance for political and 
economic reforms in the states of Southeastern Europe for fiscal year 
2001 under the Foreign Assistance Act and the Support for

[[Page E380]]

East European Democracy Act of 1989 and that provides certain 
guidelines for such assistance and related assistance to that region.
  While supporting continued United States assistance for the countries 
of Southeast Europe, this measure makes it clear that no United States 
bilateral assistance, other than that provided for democratization and 
humanitarian purposes, may be provided to the Republic of Serbia until 
the character of its government has changed. It does, however, ensure 
that aid may proceed to the region of Kosovo. It also authorizes a 
special program to assist the democratic opposition throughout Serbia 
and the Republic of Montenegro, providing for $42 million in fiscal 
year 2001 for that purpose alone. This measure also ensures that at 
least $55 million will be provided for economic and political reforms 
in the Republic of Montenegro in fiscal year 2001 in recognition of the 
increasingly positive efforts the Government of Montenegro has taken in 
support of democracy, peace, and stability in the Balkans region.
  H.R. 4053 indeed provides some important limitations on United States 
assistance to Southeastern Europe. In addition to prohibiting bilateral 
assistance for economic reforms in the Republic of Serbia until the 
character of its government has changed for the better, it requires 
that assistance for democratization in Serbia not be channeled through 
the Serbian Government or through those individuals who do not 
subscribe to effective measures to ensure truly democratic government 
in Serbia. It also sets forth United States policy regarding the 
apprehension and trial of suspected war criminals, such as Slobodan 
Milosevic.
  Mr. Speaker, this measure also takes an important step in recognizing 
that, while the United States has and will continue to provide 
considerable aid to the states of Southeastern Europe, the predominant 
burden in that region must be upheld by our friends and allies in 
Europe. The United States is facing increasing burdens in our efforts 
to fight drugs and terrorism in Colombia, to support the peace process 
in the Middle East, and to fight the proliferation of technology 
related to weapons of mass destruction. Our military forces are also 
stretched thin, with peacekeeping missions in the Balkans adding to 
that strain. This measure would therefore limit United States bilateral 
assistance to the countries and region of Southeastern Europe to a 
certain percentage--15 percent--of the total aid provided by the 
European Union under the Stability Pact for Southeastern Europe or 
under any other such multilateral aid program for that region. Such a 
cap, while ensuring that United States assistance will continue, will 
also ensure that the European Union and other donors take the lead in 
this region of Europe.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to be joined by several members of the 
International Relations Committee in introducing this important 
legislation, including Congressman Chris Smith, Congressman Bereuter, 
Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen, Congressman Rohrabacher, Congressman 
Goodling, Congressman Hyde, Congressman Gillmor, Congressman McHugh, 
Congressman Manzullo, Congressman Radanovich, and Congressman Cooksey. 
Congressmen Bill Young, DeLay, Spence, Doolittle, Souder, Mica, and 
Traficant are also sponsors of this measure, and I am hopeful that it 
will gain the support of other of our colleagues as well.

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