[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 113 (Tuesday, September 10, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8473-S8474]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




10TH ANNIVERSARY OF UNITED STATES RECOGNITION OF BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the consideration of Calendar No. 538, S. Res. 309.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The clerk will state the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 309) expressing the sense of the 
     Senate that Bosnia and Herzegovina should be congratulated on 
     the 10th anniversary of its recognition by the United States.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution, which had been reported from the Committee on Foreign 
Relations without an amendment and with an amendment to the preamble.
  [Insert the part printed in italic.]

                              S. Res. 309

       Whereas the United States reaffirms its support for the 
     sovereignty, legal continuity, and territorial integrity of 
     Bosnia and Herzegovina within its internationally recognized 
     borders and also reaffirms its support for the equality of 
     the three constituent peoples and others in Bosnia and 
     Herzegovina in a united multiethnic country, according to the 
     General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and 
     Herzegovina;
       Whereas, during the 10 years since its recognition, Bosnia 
     and Herzegovina has made significant progress in overcoming 
     the legacy of the internecine conflict of 1992-1995 
     instigated by ultranationalist forces hostile to a 
     multiethnic society, and has persevered in building a 
     multiethnic democracy based on the rule of law, respect for 
     human rights, and a free market economy, as shown by the 
     results of the elections held in November 2000;
       Whereas most citizens and the national authorities of 
     Bosnia and Herzegovina share the democratic values of the 
     international community and feel the responsibility to uphold 
     them;
       Whereas the Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina is 
     committed to international security and democratic stability 
     and in that spirit has begun discussions to initiate the 
     process of qualifying for membership in the Partnership for 
     Peace; and
       Whereas, after the attacks of September 11, 2001 on the 
     United States, Bosnia and Herzegovina, as a reliable friend 
     of the United States, immediately positioned itself within 
     the anti-terrorism 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 Bosnia and Herzegovina for the significant 
     progress it has made during the past decade on the 
     implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement and on the 
     implementation of the Constituent Peoples' Decision of the 
     Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina;
       (2) applauds the democratic orientation of Bosnia and 
     Herzegovina and urges the further strengthening by its 
     government and people of respect for human rights, of the 
     rule of law, and of its free market economy;
       (3) urges Bosnia and Herzegovina as rapidly as possible to 
     make fully operational all national institutions and state-
     level governmental bodies mandated by the Dayton Peace 
     Agreement;

[[Page S8474]]

       (4) welcomes and supports the aspiration of Bosnia and 
     Herzegovina to become a member of the Partnership for Peace 
     and, pursuant thereto, underscores the importance of creating 
     a joint military command as soon as possible;
       (5) urges the Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina to 
     accelerate the return of refugees and displaced persons and 
     to intensify its cooperation with the International Criminal 
     Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia at The Hague, in 
     particular with regard to surrendering to the Court 
     individuals indicted for war crimes;
       (6) reaffirms the importance for the future of Bosnia and 
     Herzegovina of that country's participation in the European 
     integration process and, in that context, welcomes the 
     notable improvement in mutual cooperation among the successor 
     states of the former Yugoslavia and the strengthening of 
     cooperation within the region as a whole, developments which 
     are essential for long-lasting peace and stability in 
     Southeastern Europe; and
       (7) recognizes the important role of the Bosnian-
     Herzegovinian-American community in the further improving of 
     bilateral relations between the United States and Bosnia and 
     Herzegovina.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution 
be agreed to, the amendment to the preamble be agreed to, the preamble, 
as amended, be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the 
table, and that any statements be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 309) was agreed to.
  The amendment to the preamble was agreed to.
  The preamble, as amended, was agreed to.

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