Congressional Record, Volume 151 Issue 87 (Monday, June 27, 2005)

[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 87 (Monday, June 27, 2005)]
[House]
[Pages H5214-H5216]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

URGING ALBANIA TO ENSURE ELECTIONS TO BE HELD ON JULY 3, 2005, ARE IN
ACCORDANCE WITH INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS FOR FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS

Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 155) urging the
Government of the Republic of Albania to ensure that the parliamentary
elections to be held on July 3, 2005, are conducted in accordance with
international standards for free and fair elections.
The Clerk read as follows:

H. Con. Res. 155

Whereas the United States maintains strong and friendly
relations with the Republic of Albania and appreciates the
ongoing support of the people of Albania;
Whereas the President of Albania has called for elections
to Albania's parliament, known as the People's Assembly, to
be held on July 3, 2005;
Whereas Albania is one of 55 participating States in the
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE),
all of which have adopted the 1990 Copenhagen Document
containing specific commitments relating to the conduct of
elections;
Whereas these commitments, which encourage transparency,
balance, and impartiality in an election process, have become
the standard by which observers determine whether elections
have been conducted freely and fairly;
Whereas, though improvements over time have been noted, the
five multiparty parliamentary elections held in Albania
between 1991 and 2001, as well as elections for local offices
held between and after those years, fell short of the
standards in the Copenhagen Document to varying degrees,
according to OSCE and other observers;
Whereas with OSCE and other international assistance, the
Government of Albania has improved the country's electoral
and legal framework and enhanced the capacity to conduct free
and fair elections;
Whereas subsequent to the calling of elections, Albania's
political parties have accepted a code of conduct regarding
their campaign activities, undertaking to act in accordance
with the law, to refrain from inciting violence or hatred in
the election campaign, and to be transparent in disclosing
campaign funding; and
Whereas meeting the standards in the Copenhagen Document
for free and fair elections is absolutely essential to
Albania's desired integration into European and Euro-Atlantic
institutions, including full membership in the North Atlantic
Treaty Organization (NATO), as well as to Albania's progress
in addressing official corruption and combatting organized
crime: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That Congress--
(1) welcomes the opportunity for the Republic of Albania to
demonstrate its willingness and preparedness to take the next
steps in European and Euro-Atlantic integration by holding
parliamentary elections on July 3, 2005, that meet the
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)
standards for free and fair elections as defined in the 1990
Copenhagen Document;
(2) firmly believes that the citizens of Albania, like all
people, should be able to choose their own representatives in
parliament and government in free and fair elections, and to
hold these representatives accountable through elections at
reasonable intervals;
(3) supports commitments by Albanian political parties to
adhere to a basic code of conduct for campaigning and urges
such parties and all election officials in Albania to adhere
to laws relating to the elections, and to conduct their
activities in an impartial and transparent manner, by
allowing international and domestic observers to have
unobstructed access to all aspects of the election process,
including public campaign events, candidates, news media,
voting, and post-election tabulation of results and
processing of election challenges and complaints;
(4) supports assistance by the United States to help the
people of Albania establish a fully free and open democratic
system, a prosperous free market economy, and its rightful
place in European and Euro-Atlantic institutions, including
the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO); and
(5) encourages the President to communicate to the
Government of Albania, to all political parties and
candidates, and to the people of Albania the high importance
attached by the Government of the United States to this
parliamentary election as a central factor in determining the
future relationship between the United States and Albania.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New
Jersey (Mr. Smith) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith).
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Mr. Speaker, 14 years ago, Albania was just emerging from decades of
brutal isolation from Europe when they held their first genuinely
contested elections in 1991. Not surprisingly, they fell short of the
standards for free and fair elections as defined by the Organization
for Security and Cooperation in Europe, or OSCE, as did subsequent
elections for parliament and local government. The United States and
other friends of Albania, however, remained engaged with the Albanian
people throughout their turbulent transition.
Today, Albania is at the point where the country can actually hold
free and fair elections, something the citizens of that country deeply
deserve. Parliamentary elections have been scheduled, as Members of
this House know, for July 3, and the campaign period is well underway.
Staff in the U.S. Helsinki Commission, which I co-chair, will be
serving on the international observation mission. Albania has come far
in reforming its election process and through these elections has the
opportunity to jump a major hurdle not only towards completion of its
transition to democracy, but in preparing for integration into European
and Euro-Atlantic institutions.
There is good reason to remain concerned, however, that the elections
will fall short of international standards. The good things that have
been adopted, such as the Code of Conduct adopted by key political
parties, may not be carried out. The OSCE's election observer mission
has reported receiving an increased number of allegations of legal
misuse of state resources and personnel for campaign purposes. If found
to be true, those engaged in this activity would be responsible for
what would be regarded as a tremendous setback for the country.
Hopefully, by passing this resolution, we can encourage Albanian
authorities to respect the rule of law, to abide by their Code of
Conduct, and respect the results of the upcoming election. When my
colleague, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel), and I first
introduced this resolution, it was with the expectation the U.S.
Congress could constructively make a difference by calling on the
authorities, political parties, and others to do the right thing so
that the real winners in the elections will be the people of Albania
who make the effort to vote.
Finally, I am hopeful these elections will meet international
standards, because that is one of the first steps Albania will need to
take on the path to full Euro-Atlantic integration.
The new Albanian government will also need to tackle problems
relating to official corruption and organized crime. Fortunately,
beyond a good election process, we must see the development of civil
society in Albania, with the youth groups and others pressing elected
officials to address the every day problems that plague the lives of
Albanian citizens.
I hope my colleagues will support this resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume,
and I rise in strong support of the resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I want to commend my good friend and colleague, the
gentleman from New Jersey, (Mr. Smith), and our colleague on the
Committee on International Relations, the gentleman from New York (Mr.
Engel), for introducing this excellent resolution urging free and fair
elections in Albania. I am pleased to be a cosponsor of the resolution.
Mr. Speaker, it was 15 years ago this month that I had the privilege
of being the first American Government official to set foot in Albania
after a 44-year hiatus. At that time, Albania was taking its first
halting steps to end a half a century of Communist dictatorship and
self-imposed international isolation.
Wherever I traveled throughout the country, from formal meetings with

[[Page H5215]]

top government officials to casual chats with students at the
University of Tirana, crowds of Albanians gathered, looking on
curiously and apprehensively, but hopefully. They were anxious to join
the world community, but they were fearful of the consequences of
transforming the political and economic system that they knew, despite
its profound failings.

{time} 1630

Since 1990, Albania has worked with the United States and has
participated in NATO's Partnership for Peace program. The Albanian
Government has made it clear that it is very anxious to join NATO and
to strengthen its relations with our Nation. Albania has indicated its
desire to become a full member of the European Union with all of the
economic and political obligations that that implies.
Albania's road to democracy and full international participation has
not been easy. The country's parliamentary and local elections during
the 1990s were marred by electoral irregularities and fraud. This
hampered its desire for closer links with the Euro-Atlantic community.
The Albanian election now scheduled for July 3 provides a new
opportunity for the people of Albania to demonstrate their readiness
for closer ties with the United States and the democratic nations of
Europe.
I have been encouraged by the commitment of Albania's leaders, Prime
Minister Fatos Nano of the Socialist Party, and former President Sali
Berisha of the Democratic Party, to see that this election will meet
international standards for free, fair, open, and democratic elections.
The July 3 election is one of the most important in Albania since the
end of the Communist era. The United States and the international
community will be watching this election very carefully to determine
whether Albania truly meets international standards. For Albania to
make the progress that it seeks in becoming a full member of the Euro-
Atlantic community within NATO and the European Union, these elections
must be free and fair beyond a doubt.
Our resolution expresses the support of the Congress and the American
people for open and democratic elections in Albania. It also urges our
President to express to the people and the political leadership of
Albania the great importance our Nation attaches to the July 3
elections. It is certainly accurate to say that the way the upcoming
Albanian elections are conducted will be a central factor in
determining the future relationship between the United States and
Albania.
Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this resolution.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 1 minute to
conclude.
I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) for this
partnership resolution, as well as the gentleman from New York (Mr.
Engel) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wolf), and others. We had
27 cosponsors of this resolution.
Last July in the Commission on Security Cooperation in Europe, we
held a hearing in Albania. We heard from a number of important and
prominent witness, including representatives of MJAFT! which is the
youth organization that is doing some important pioneering and
important work in Albania today. I want to thank them for their work as
well.
Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Con. Res. 155,
urging Albania to hold its July 3 parliamentary elections in accordance
with international standards. I would also like to thank the lead
sponsor, Chris Smith, for his work on this legislation. These elections
are not only important as Albania works to develop its democratic
system, but they will set the tone for the Balkan nation in the months
and years ahead.
The United States and Albania have strong ties that go well beyond
government relations. For that reason, we believe it is very important
to support the people of Albania and their right to choose their
elected representatives freely and fairly.
In the 15 years since Albania's brutal communist dictatorship came to
an end, the country has struggled in its transition. While some
elections have been problematic, there have been improvements over
time, and now the country has a real chance to achieve the same
international election standards that the United States, Canada and all
of Europe adopted in 1990. Between now and election day, the real issue
is whether the authorities, political parties and other stakeholders
have the will to abide by the laws, regulations and a code of conduct.
The active U.S. congressional interest expressed in this resolution can
encourage all involved to do the right thing.
A good election process will have enormous benefits for Albania.
Domestically, it will enable the next government to take stronger
measures to address the official corruption and combat the organized
crime which together thwart stronger economic recovery.
Internationally, it will enable Albania to take the next steps to
joining NATO and the European Union. Supporting Albanian elections
today will only strengthen our relations in the future.
I will be in Albania for the July 3rd elections and will lead a
National Albanian American Council delegation which will monitor that
the polling and counting will be done in accordance with international
standards. This resolution will help make the case for a good election.
As the lead Democratic sponsor of this resolution, I urge my
colleagues to support H. Con. Res. 155.
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support
of this resolution urging the Government of the Republic of Albania to
ensure that the parliamentary elections to be held on July 3, 2005, are
conducted in accordance with international standards for free and fair
elections. This is an important piece of legislation that will notify
the people of Albania that the United States is dedicated to safe,
free, and open democracy in Albania and the region. It will let the
people of Albania know that we are at their side as they strive for a
more free and open society.
As the nation of Albania approaches its July 3rd parliamentary
elections we must stand steadfast in our support of free, fair, and
transparent elections. As a participating member of the Organization
for Security and Cooperation in Europe and a signatory of the 1990
Copenhagen Document containing specific commitments relating to the
conduct of elections, Albania must maintain its commitment to these
democratic ideals. Indeed, the Copenhagen Document, which encourages
transparency, balance, and impartiality in the election process, is so
sound that it has become the standard by which elections are judged.
Although Albanian democracy has strengthened over the past several
years, it has nonetheless failed to live up to the standards of the
Copenhagen Document. Over the past 10 years, Albanian elections have
not been as free, fair, and open as the Albanian people deserve. As
nations around Europe and the world have made considerable strides
towards democracy, meeting the standards in the Copenhagen Document for
free and fair elections is absolutely essential to Albania's desired
integration into Euro-Atlantic institutions, including membership in
the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, NATO. Additionally, transparent
democratic elections will inexorably lead to a more free and open
society and government able to combat Albania's problems with organized
crime.
The Republic of Albania must demonstrate its willingness and
preparedness to take the next steps towards strong and stable
democracy. This can only be achieved when the people of Albania choose
their own representatives in parliament in free and fair elections. The
Albanian government, political parties, and politicians must conduct
this election in adherence to the laws that regulate all free and fair
elections; transparency, free press, and unfettered access to electoral
procedures by international and domestic observers.
I commend all the Albanian political parties for their commitment to
adhere to campaign and election laws. If Albania is to become an active
member of both the European and Euro-Atlantic community it must conduct
elections that meet international standards. Failure to meet these
requirements could have disastrous effects. Europe and the United
States must play an active role in helping Albania move towards stable,
transparent, and free democracy. This legislation will take a great
step towards that goal.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my
time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Issa). The question is on the motion
offered by the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) that the House
suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res.
155.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of
those present have voted in the affirmative.
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and
nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.

[[Page H5216]]

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.

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