[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16528]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF BOSNIAN INDEPENDENCE H. RES. 520

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 10, 2002

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to note that earlier today I 
introduced H. Res. 520, which congratulates Bosnia and Herzegovina on 
the 10th anniversary of its independence .
  The stability of the Balkans remains important to the stability of 
Europe as a whole, and the 10th anniversary of Bosnian independence 
serves as an important benchmark for United States efforts to foster 
stability in that region. It also serves as a reminder that we must 
continue our joint efforts to foment military security, improve public 
security and law enforcement, foster democratic governance, promote 
economic development and refugee assistance, bring war criminals to 
justice, and continue to provide the security umbrella under which 
democracy and free-market capitalism is able to develop and flourish.
  Our goal is to help transform the Balkans into a region of stable 
democracies that fully participate in Euro-Atlantic institutions. Yet, 
the emergence of a stable Bosnia--whole, free and integrated into 
Europe--will require further support of all types from the United 
States. The three constituent peoples and others in Bosnia have 
realized that their political future lies in strengthening an 
independent fully functioning multiethnic Bosnia and Herzegovina. They 
deserve our commendation and support.

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