[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 1]
[Senate]
[Pages 1150-1151]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



    SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 2--RECOMMENDING THE INTEGRATION OF 
      LITHUANIA, LATVIA, AND ESTONIA IN THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY 
                          ORGANIZATION (NATO)

  Mr. DURBIN submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on Foreign Relations:

                             S. Con. Res. 2

       Whereas the Baltic states of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia 
     are undergoing an historic process of democratic and free 
     market transformation after emerging from decades of brutal 
     Soviet occupation;
       Whereas each of the Baltic states has conducted peaceful 
     transfers of political power--in Lithuania since 1990 and in 
     Latvia and Estonia since 1991;
       Whereas each of the Baltic states has been exemplary and 
     consistent in its respect for human rights and civil 
     liberties;
       Whereas the governments of the Baltic states have made 
     consistent progress toward establishing civilian control of 
     their militaries through active participation in the 
     Partnership for Peace program and North Atlantic Treaty 
     Organization (NATO) peace support operations;
       Whereas Lithuania is participating in the NATO-led 
     multinational military force in the Republic of Bosnia and 
     Herzegovina (commonly referred to as ``SFOR'') and is 
     consistently increasing its defense budget allocations with 
     the goal of allocating at least 2 percent of its GDP for 
     defense by 2001;
       Whereas each of the Baltic states has clearly demonstrated 
     its ability to operate with the military forces of NATO 
     nations and under NATO standards;
       Whereas former Secretary of Defense Perry stipulated five 
     generalized standards for entrance into NATO: support for 
     democracy, including toleration of ethnic diversity and 
     respect for human rights; building a free market economy; 
     civilian control of the military; promotion of good 
     neighborly relations; and development of military 
     interoperability with NATO; and
       Whereas each of the Baltic states has satisfied these 
     standards for entrance into NATO: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that--

[[Page 1151]]

       (1) Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia are to be commended for 
     their progress toward political and economic liberty and 
     meeting the guidelines for prospective members of the North 
     Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) set out in chapter 5 of 
     the September 1995 Study on NATO Enlargement;
       (2) Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia would make an 
     outstanding contribution toward furthering the goals of NATO 
     should they become members;
       (3) extension of full NATO membership to the Baltic states 
     would contribute to stability, freedom, and peace in the 
     Baltic region and Europe as a whole; and
       (4) with complete satisfaction of NATO guidelines and 
     criteria for membership, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia 
     should be invited to become full members of NATO.

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, this past Saturday, January 16th, marked 
the one-year anniversary of the signing of the Baltic Charter.
  I attended that historic ceremony at the White House and our efforts 
that day were important not only to Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia but 
to the U.S. as well. This is an issue dear to me; my mother came to 
this country from Lithuania in 1911 and I've visited this country and 
the Baltic region several times.
  Now Mr. President, the Baltic Charter solidified the international 
relationship between the U.S. and the Baltic nations by defining the 
political, economic, and security relations between our countries. It 
affirmed a shared commitment to promoting harmonious and equitable 
relations among individuals belonging to diverse ethnic and religious 
groups. It also stressed the promotion of close cooperative 
relationships throughout the Baltic region, on such issues as 
economics, trade, the environment, and transnational problems like the 
bilateral relations between the Baltics and its neighboring states.
  President Clinton welcomed the Baltic nations' efforts to improve 
relations with Russia. The four presidents involved discussed 
developments in Northeastern Europe, and President Clinton pledged more 
U.S. involvement in that region's development and cooperation with its 
neighbors.
  The Baltic Charter does not commit the Baltic states to NATO 
membership. I believe these nations would be included in NATO, but they 
will have to meet the same criteria and standards expected of other 
states that wish to join NATO.
  A year ago I noted that this charter would bring the U.S. and the 
Baltic nations closer than ever before. And, Mr. President, I'm happy 
to report that the United States has made good on its promise to these 
nations and I hope we'll do everything we can to strengthen these great 
new democracies and reaffirm their desire to become full members of the 
European Union and NATO.
  For over 50 years, we have recognized the sovereignty of the 
republics of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. These great nations are 
now at the threshold of realizing their important role in the peace and 
security of Eastern Europe. Therefore, I am proud to submit S. Con. 
Res. 2 and hope that all members will seize this opportunity to support 
the Baltic states and their endeavors to further democracy and peace in 
the region.

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