[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 29 (Tuesday, March 9, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2456-S2457]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING PRESIDENT BORIS TRAJKOVSKI

  Mr. NICKLES. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the Senate now 
proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 314, submitted by Senator 
Voinovich today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 314) commemorating and honoring 
     President Boris Trajkovski.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. VOINOVICH. Mr. President, on Thursday, February 26, 2004, 
President Boris Trajkovski of Macedonia, whom I have known for many 
years, was tragically killed when a plane carrying him and eight others 
crashed in southern

[[Page S2457]]

Bosnia. His death is a tragic loss not only for his family and those 
who knew him well, but for the people of Macedonia, the broader region 
of Southeast Europe, and, I believe the world at large.
  I rise today to express my condolences and deep sympathy to the 
people of Macedonia, the family of President Trajkovski, and the 
families of the eight others who were killed. I submit a resolution, 
cosponsored by Senator Lugar and Senator biden, which honors the memory 
of President Boris Trajkovski and recognizes the significant 
contributions he made as President of Macedonia.
  President Trajkovski was a principled man, a courageous leader, and 
someone that I have come to call a friend since I first met him during 
a visit to Stankovic refugee camp in Macedonia in 1999. His leadership 
was instrumental following the crisis in Kosovo in 1999, as Macedonia 
worked with the international community to meet the needs of thousands 
of refugees fleeing the neighboring province. President Trajkovski's 
deep respect for human rights and commitment to the rule of law played 
a significant role in the signing of the Ohrid Framework Agreement in 
2001, which successfully secured peace in the country following an 
outbreak of violence earlier that year. Following the signing of the 
peace accord, he remained committed to the implementation of the 
agreement--a process that continues today.
  I have had the privilege of visiting with President Trajkovski 
regularly during the last several years, when I traveled to Macedonia 
in May 1999, February 2000, and again in May 2002, and on several 
occasions when he traveled to Washington, DC--often in conjunction with 
the National Prayer Breakfast. An ordained minister in the Methodist 
Church, President Trajkovski was a man of faith, principle, and 
character, and his leadership will be greatly missed as Macedonia 
continues to move toward membership in Europe's democratic 
institutions.
  I extend my heartfelt condolences to President Trajkovski's wife, 
Vilma, his children, Sara and Stefan, and the people of Macedonia. 
While Boris Trajkovski will be sorely missed, he leaves a legacy of 
courageous and principled leadership, progress, and commitment to 
democratic reform that put Macedonia on a path toward membership in 
NATO and the European Union. That legacy lives on.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution, which 
honors the life of a man deeply committed to working toward a peaceful 
and prosperous future for the people of Macedonia and Southeast Europe.
  Mr. NICKLES. I ask unanimous consent the resolution be agreed to, the 
preamble be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table 
en bloc, and any statements relating to the resolution be printed in 
the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 314) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 314

       Whereas President Boris Trajkovski of the Former Yugoslav 
     Republic of Macedonia played a vital role in efforts to 
     promote peace, stability, and democratic reform in his 
     country and throughout Southeast Europe;
       Whereas President Trajkovski was tragically killed on 
     Thursday, February 26, 2004, when a plane carrying the 
     President and 8 others crashed in southern Bosnia;
       Whereas the people elected Boris Trajkovski to serve as 
     President in November 1999, and inaugurated him as the second 
     Macedonian President on December 15, 1999;
       Whereas President Trajkovski led the country during a 
     tumultuous period in Southeast Europe, working with the 
     international community to accommodate refugees following the 
     crisis in neighboring Kosovo in 1999, and playing a 
     significant role in the signing of the Ohrid Framework 
     Agreement in 2001;
       Whereas President Trajkovski promoted the rule of law and 
     respect for human rights, and encouraged economic, judicial, 
     and military reforms necessary to move the country toward 
     membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the 
     European Union; and
       Whereas the Macedonian government continues to work to join 
     Europe's democratic institutions, and peace and stability in 
     the country is critical to the broader region of Southeast 
     Europe: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) offers its condolences and deepest sympathy to the 
     people of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, the 
     family of President Boris Trajkovski, and the families of the 
     other crash victims during this difficult period;
       (2) recognizes the courageous leadership and the 
     significant role that President Trajkovski played in efforts 
     to promote peace, stability, and reform, including his work 
     to secure the 2001 Ohrid Framework Agreement; and
       (3) encourages the Macedonian government to continue 
     efforts to implement the Ohrid Peace Agreement, and to move 
     forward with reforms necessary to join the North Atlantic 
     Treaty Organization and the European Union.

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