[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 67 (Thursday, May 25, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S4499]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                COMMEMORATING FREE ELECTIONS IN CROATIA

  Mr. GORTON. Mr. President, today I join with my colleagues, Senators 
Feingold, Hutchison, Abraham, and Lieberman, who will introduce a 
resolution congratulating the people of Croatia on their successful 
parliamentary and presidential elections, the peaceful transition of 
power, and new initiatives for reform. In addition to congratulating 
the people of Croatia, the resolution expresses U.S. support for their 
progress and encourages Croatian participation in the NATO Partnership 
for Peace. One day, I hope that we will be expressing our support for 
Croatia, and other nations with similar democratic inclination, as 
members of NATO itself.
  The Balkan nations embracing democracy must be supported at every 
opportunity available became the government could so easily have taken 
the other path. The leaders of Croatia could have chosen to repress 
popular involvement and other fundamental rights of democracy, but 
instead have chosen the harder but correct path of working through 
discourse, debate, and democracy. Because we have also been through 
these trials as a nation, I hope that the American people will watch 
closely the progress of the Croatian people and will support their path 
to freedom, stability, and peace.
  The most important benefit to come out of this election will be the 
resolution of Croatia's domestic difficulties. Through the successful 
election, the Croatian people have taken the reins of control. In 
addition to the power instilled by this self-determination, the 
Croatian people are now spurred to take up the mission of reform that 
should further improve their government. Among the stated goals of 
President Mesic are the reintroduction of Serbian refugees to the homes 
they left behind, reform of the privatization system that has faced 
serious corruption allegations, and support for the International 
Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia. These improvements would 
certainly go far to legitimize the new Administration in the view of 
the international community, but more importantly, in the eyes of the 
Croatian people. President Mesic's continued efforts on these fronts 
will show its people that their new government takes seriously the need 
for honesty and accountability.
  As the government wins the support of its people, I am also 
encouraged by the efforts of the new Administration to get involved 
with the European community. In such a volatile region, a nation 
uniting the many groups will be the key to fostering a stable political 
and economic atmosphere. Part of the victory of democracy in Croatia 
has been the new spirit of regional harmony that I hope will spread to 
its neighbors. Peace in the Balkan nations will only come with honest 
attempts to live with differences, and Croatia will be a leader in the 
efforts for peace there.
  In addition to better conditions in the Balkans, democracy will 
encourage the involvement of other foreign nations. Just two weeks ago, 
Croatian President Stipe Mesic met with French President Jacques Chirac 
to discuss an agreement on stabilization and association, as well as 
the Croatian entrance to the NATO Partnership for Peace. The resolution 
I am supporting today suggests U.S. support for the addition of Croatia 
in the partnership, and I am happy to inform my colleagues that the 
nations of NATO have announced that Croatia will become a full member 
of the Partnership for Peace program today. This is truly a great 
accomplishment, and it affirms the commitment of all NATO allies to 
help Croatia in its chosen path.
  In addition to my appreciation for the democratic and international 
progress of the Croatian people, I would also like to take this 
opportunity to thank the work of the Croatian American Association in 
bringing this subject to my attention and to the attention of the 
American people. The Croatian American community has worked tirelessly 
to create bonds of friendship between our two nations, and I hope that 
as Croatia becomes more democratic and involved in worldwide political 
affairs that we, as Americans, will continue to support them.
  I hope that this resolution will be an additional bond between two 
nations that democratic tenets have already joined.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Smith of Oregon). The majority leader.

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