[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 57 (Wednesday, May 8, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S4078]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  STATEMENTS ON SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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 SENATE RESOLUTION 263--CONGRATULATING THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA ON THE 
        10TH ANNIVERSARY OF ITS RECOGNITION BY THE UNITED STATES

  Mr. McCAIN (for himself, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Lieberman, Mr. Voinovich, 
and Mr. Biden) submitted the following resolution; which was referred 
to the Committee on Foreign Relations:

                              S. Res. 263

       Whereas the United States recognized the Republic of 
     Croatia on April 7, 1992, acknowledging the decision of the 
     Croatian people to live in an independent, democratic, and 
     sovereign country;
       Whereas, during the 10 years since the recognition, the 
     people of Croatia have overcome the legacy of the autocratic 
     Tudjman government and persevered in building a democratic 
     society, based on the rule of law, respect for human rights, 
     and a free market economy, as shown by the democratic 
     parliamentary and presidential elections held in January and 
     February 2000;
       Whereas the people and Government of the Republic of 
     Croatia share the democratic values of the international 
     community and the responsibility to uphold them, actively 
     promoting democratic values in international organizations;
       Whereas Croatia, cooperating on the basis of partnership 
     and solidarity, participates in the Vilnius Group, which is 
     committed to the common values of security and democratic 
     stability through future North Atlantic Treaty Organization 
     membership;
       Whereas Croatia is a reliable friend and ally of the United 
     States, actively contributing to the stabilization of South 
     Central Europe; and
       Whereas Croatia immediately positioned itself within the 
     antiterrorism coalition of nations, sharing the common 
     interests and values of the free and democratic world: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) commends the Republic of Croatia for the significant 
     progress it has made during the past decade, and encourages 
     its democratic orientation and further strengthening of 
     respect for human rights, the rule of law, and the free 
     market;
       (2) supports the Republic of Croatia's aspirations to 
     become a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization 
     (NATO), welcomes its commitment to the reforms required for 
     NATO membership, acknowledges the importance of its continued 
     commitment to those reforms, and recommends its acceptance 
     into the Membership Action Plan at the NATO Ministerial in 
     Reykjavik, Iceland in May 2002;
       (3) encourages Croatia's continued contributions in 
     bringing peace, stability, and prosperity to the region of 
     South Central Europe, including continuing its cooperation 
     with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former 
     Yugoslavia; and
       (4) recognizes the important role of the Croatian-American 
     community in supporting the strengthening of bilateral 
     relations between the United States and the Republic of 
     Croatia.

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