[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Pages 11687-11691]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 REPORT ON TRIP TO BULGARIA, MACEDONIA, KOSOVO, SLOVAKIA, SLOVENIA AND 
                                BRUSSELS

  Mr. VOINOVICH. Mr. President, over the Memorial Day recess, I joined 
seven members of the House of Representatives to participate in the 
spring meeting of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. Twice a year, 
legislators from NATO member countries and seventeen countries that 
have been given ``associate'' status--including NATO aspirants and 
members of the Partnership for Peace program--gather to discuss 
significant issues facing the Alliance.
  At the forefront of the agenda this year were issues related to the 
war on terrorism, and questions that will be raised when NATO heads of 
state meet in Prague this November, including: the future direction of 
the Alliance; the growing gap in military capabilities between the 
United States and our European allies; and the selection of new 
members.
  This was the third year that I have participated in the NATO 
Parliamentary Assembly's spring gathering. The meeting took on a new 
urgency as the Alliance continues to confront a changed international 
security environment in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on 
September 11th. As parliamentarians discussed the military campaign in 
Afghanistan and the role of NATO in the war on terror, I reminded my 
European counterparts of the need to invest in the defense budgets of 
their respective countries. Without fundamental military capabilities 
such as strategic airlift and command and control systems, the European 
contribution to the global war on terrorism will continue to be 
limited.
  It was clear throughout the meeting that the events of 9-11 have 
impacted discussions in many areas, including expansion of the 
Alliance. During consideration of a Declaration on NATO Enlargement, I 
introduced an amendment calling attention to the significant threats 
that terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction 
pose to NATO countries, and recognizing that as NATO considers 
enlargement, the Alliance remains open to tolerant, democratic 
societies, which embrace values that terrorism seeks to destroy.
  As the meeting progressed, I also expressed my strong support for a 
robust round of enlargement during the Summit of the Alliance in Prague 
later this year. I share the President's vision of enlargement, 
articulated in Warsaw, Poland last June, when he said that as we 
approach Prague: ``We should not calculate how little we can get away 
with, but how much we can do to advance the cause of freedom.''
  Yet while the Alliance should extend invitations to a number of 
countries in Prague, I believe it is premature to single out countries 
for membership at this point. Instead, we should continue to encourage 
aspirants to make progress on their membership action plans and move 
forward with democratic, economic and judicial reforms.
  As such, during consideration of the Declaration on NATO Enlargement, 
I joined Congressman Doug Bereuter, the chairman of the U.S. 
delegation, and other members of the United States Congress at the 
meeting in abstaining from a vote on an amendment that identified seven 
countries as ready for membership in the Alliance. Despite U.S. 
concerns, the amendment was adopted.
  While I do not disagree that the countries listed in the amendment--
Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania--
have made some strides in their preparations to join NATO, there are 
serious discussions that must take place between now and November 
regarding the selection of new members.
  This spring's NATO Parliamentary meeting was especially important to 
its host country, Bulgaria, which hopes to receive an invitation to 
join the Alliance in Prague. I remain very interested in discussion 
about NATO enlargement, and while in Sofia, I was glad to have 
opportunity to visit with Prime Minister Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gothe and 
President Georgi Parvanov to discuss Bulgaria's work to join the 
Alliance. I also met with Defense Minister Nikolay Svinarov and Foreign 
Minister Solomon Passy, who I have met with previously in my office in 
Washington, DC.
  My first official visit outside of the NATO session was with 
Bulgaria's Defense Minister, Nikolay Svinarov. Just minutes before our 
meeting, Mr. Svinarov spoke to the NATO PA's Committee on Defense and 
Security, outlining Bulgaria's plans to move forward with defense 
reforms. His presentation was clear, and I congratulated him on his 
effort to describe Bulgaria's progress on the defense portion of the 
membership action plan (MAP). While noting the progress that has been 
made, I encouraged him to follow through on the vision that he 
articulated to the NATO parliamentarians. I was impressed with 
Bulgaria's plan; however, it is evident that there is still a lot of 
work to be done to implement their ambitious agenda for military 
reform.
  My impressions were reaffirmed several days later when I visited Graf 
Ignatievo air base, near the city of Plovdiv. The enthusiasm of the 
officers and pilots at the base was evident. Since 2001, the Bulgarian 
government has invested in modernization of base infrastructure, 
upgrading the runway and the flight line and renovating buildings and 
training facilities. While this is certainly a positive development, I 
was concerned with the equipment at the base, including Soviet-era

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MiG-29 and MiG-21 aircraft. While the MiG-21s will be retired, the 
Bulgarians hope to upgrade their MiG-29s by 2004, with the goal of full 
NATO interoperability. There are serious questions not only about 
whether or not this can actually be done, but also whether this is 
money wisely spent. As NATO considers questions about military 
capabilities, it will be important to consider how NATO members and 
aspirant countries can best invest limited defense dollars to 
contribute to the overall mission of the Alliance. As Bulgaria 
continues with defense reforms, this will be one factor to consider.
  Bulgaria must also confront challenges in other areas, including the 
need to move forward with judicial reforms. The government must take 
action to combat corruption and organized crime. I discussed this issue 
with Prime Minister Saxe-Coburg-Gothe and President Purvanov, as well 
as Foreign Minister Passy.
  Perhaps one of the most eye-opening conversation I had during my trip 
to Bulgaria was with FBI Special Agent Victor Moore, who is working 
with the Bulgarian government and local NGOs to combat human 
trafficking. As a member of the Helsinki Commission and an active 
participant in the annual meetings of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, 
I have worked on this issue with Congressman Chris Smith--who has a 
long record of work to combat the trafficking of men, women and 
children. I also follow the efforts of the Southeast European 
Cooperative Initiative (SECI), which aims to combat trans-border crime 
in the region.
  SECI has spearheaded an initiative to combat human trafficking in 
southeast Europe, and Vic Moore's efforts are tied directly to their 
objectives. Of his eleven years in the FBI, he spent nine of them 
working on drug enforcement in New York City. In Bulgaria, he is 
working to give law enforcement personnel the skills they need to 
investigate and prosecute human trafficking cases. The Bulgarian 
government has formed a multi-agency task force, which has liberated 
more than 160 women, issued 60 arrest warrants and captured 
approximately 60 traffickers. This important work should continue. I 
believe it is important that the government take continued steps to 
strengthen the rule of law and reform the judicial systems. This will 
be important as NATO evaluates the progress of aspirant countries later 
this year.
  In all of my conversations in Sofia, one thing was clear: the people 
of Bulgaria, and the members of government who represent them, want to 
join NATO. Over a breakfast meeting with members of the U.S. delegation 
at the home of our Ambassador to Bulgaria Jim Pardew, President 
Parvanov said that there is complete public and political consensus on 
NATO in Bulgaria.
  I am hopeful Bulgaria's enthusiasm for NATO membership remains high, 
and the government stays committed to critical reform efforts.
  After participating in the NATO Parliamentary Assembly meeting in 
Sofia, I traveled to Macedonia, Kosovo, Slovakia, Slovenia and Brussels 
to evaluate the situation in southeast Europe, and to examine progress 
in Macedonia, Slovakia and Slovenia as they work to join NATO.
  Following my arrival in Skopje on Tuesday, May 28, 2002, I had the 
opportunity to visit with our Ambassador to Macedonia, Larry Butler, 
and his team at the U.S. Embassy. This was my third trip to Macedonia 
as a member of the U.S. Senate. I first traveled to Macedonia during 
the war and visited Stankovic refugee camp; my second trip was in 
February 2000, and I met with President Trajkovski, Prime Minister 
Goergievski, and ethnic Albanian leader Arben Xhaferi. At that time, 
our focus was on Kosovo. Since the spring of 2001, all eyes have been 
in Macedonia.
  In August 2001, following the outbreak of violence in the spring by 
ethnic Albanian rebels from Macedonia and Kosovo, the government's 
political parties came together to sign a peace agreement. The plan--
called the Ohrid Framework Agreement--called for the passage of laws 
and constitutional reforms to address concerns of Macedonia's ethnic 
Albanian minority, which makes up approximately one-third of the 
country's population.
  At the time of my visit last month, the government was expected to 
pass a final package of laws to implement the Ohrid Framework 
Agreement. This was a primary topic of discussion in my conversations 
with our Ambassador and staff at the U.S. embassy, as well as President 
Trajkovski and Mr. Xhaferi. While the parliament did not act in the 
days immediately following my visit, as hoped, I was pleased to learn 
that fifteen of the seventeen outstanding laws were passed last 
Thursday, June 20, 2002. I am hopeful that action on the remaining 
issues will be taken soon.
  During my meeting with Arben Xhaferi, he stressed the importance of 
the international community's involvement in Macedonia. He said the 
United States should continue to play a role in Macedonia--both with 
its military presence and financial assistance. While I agree with Mr. 
Xhaferi that U.S. involvement in the region is important, I stressed to 
him that the people of Macedonia--regardless of ethnicity--must take 
action to improve the situation in their country. While the 
international community can play a helpful role, ultimately, things are 
in the hands of the people and their elected leaders. As such, I 
encouraged Mr. Xhaferi to move forward with efforts to implement 
democratic and economic reforms, and to promote respect for the rule of 
law. I also shared with him my strong concern with organized crime, 
corruption and human trafficking in the region, and urged him to take 
action in this area.
  During my meetings, it was also clear that demarcation of the border 
between Macedonia and Kosovo has become a significant political issue 
in both Macedonia and Kosovo. Some in Macedonia would like to move 
forward with the demarcation of border, recognized by the U.N. Security 
Council, which was formally agreed upon by Macedonia and the Federal 
Republic of Yugoslavia in March 2001.
  Judging from my conversations in Kosovo, however, it was evident that 
there is not yet a consensus regarding the right time to put down 
markers along the border. This issue must be approached with caution.
  I am also hopeful that free and fair parliamentary elections will 
take place in Macedonia on September 15, 2002, as planned. The United 
States and members of the international community, including the 
European Union, should do everything in their power to stress to 
leaders in Macedonia the importance of permitting people to go to the 
polls without incidence this fall.
  On Wednesday, May 29, 2002, I spent the day in Kosovo. It was my 
third trip to Kosovo since February 2000, and the fourth full day that 
I have spent there. During my time in the Senate, I have been very 
active on issues affecting southeast Europe, and I have been 
particularly concerned with the situation of ethnic minorities and 
respect for minority rights throughout the region--in Bosnia-
Herzegovina, Croatia, and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, as well 
as Kosovo. As such, I was glad to have the opportunity to examine this 
issue in Kosovo last month.
  I spent time with the Head of UNMIK Michael Steiner, as well as 
Commander of KFOR General Valentin. I also met with President Rugova 
and Prime Minister Rexhepi, and Serb leaders Rada Trajkovic and 
Ljubomir Stanojkovic. I met with Ambassador John Menzies and his team 
at the U.S. Office in Pristina, and I was glad to visit with General 
Lute at KFOR Main and some of our troops at Camp Bondsteel, as well as 
Ambassador Pascal Fieschi, who heads the OSCE Mission in Kosovo.
  Around the time of my visit, the Organization for Security and 
Cooperation and Europe (OSCE) and the U.N. High Commission on Refugees 
(UNHCR) released the Ninth Assessment of the Situation of Ethnic 
Minorities in Kosovo, which describes the quality of life experienced 
by Kosovo's minority groups.
  My impressions after spending time in Kosovo last month reaffirm many 
of the conclusions reached in the OSCE-UNHCR report: while there has 
been some improvement for ethnic minorities, there is still a long way 
to go.

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  My first reaction was that things seem somewhat better now than they 
were when I visited nearly 3 years ago. I attribute this to several 
factors, including work done by the international community, including 
UNMIK, KFOR, the OSCE and others, as well as the interest that the 
people of Kosovo have shown in creating their own government following 
parliamentary elections last November and the election of new 
leadership in March. I believe the participation of the Serbian 
minority in the parliamentary elections last November was very 
important, as was the cooperation of the FRY government, which 
encourage Kosovar Serbs to vote.
  Additionally, I was impressed with the ``benchmark'' goals that have 
been outlined by UNMIK, which call for progress in key areas, including 
respect for the rule of law, strengthening democratic institutions, and 
building a civil society.
  The benchmarks paper also emphasizes respect for minority rights and 
refugee returns, which deserve attention both from the international 
community and from the newly elected leadership in Kosovo.
  This document is very important, as it lays out a plan for Kosovo. It 
will be critical for the international community to refer to this 
document from time to time to assess progress and, as necessary, to 
redouble efforts in certain areas. In the past, I have been concerned 
that the international community has not been focused in its vision of 
Kosovo, and this document offers a positive step in the right 
direction.
  To make real progress, however, we must encourage Michael Steiner and 
UNMIK to develop a strategic plan and a critical path for the 
implementation of the benchmark goals. When I attend the OSCE 
Parliamentary Assembly meeting in Berlin this July, I will encourage 
the Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Pascal Fieschi, to do so. This 
will allow UNMIK to monitor progress on the benchmark goals.
  While in Kosovo, I also met with the Commander of KFOR, General 
Valentin, and discussed with him the security situation in the region. 
He is optimistic, and believes that there is progress every day. He 
said things are much better than they were three years ago. Ambassador 
Fieschi was also encouraged that things have gotten better for Kosovo's 
minorities, though he indicated that change has been slow.
  While I agree that things are somewhat better, the findings in the 
OSCE-UNHCR report are less upbeat. With regard to security and freedom 
of movement, the report reads: ``Despite the decrease in serious 
incidents of violence, harassment, intimidation and humiliation of 
members of minority communities in Kosovo continued to prevail as a 
feature of daily life.'' This affects all of Kosovo's minorities, 
including Serbs, Roma, Egyptians, Bosniaks, Croats, Albanians, Turks 
and others.
  Serb leaders Rada Trajkovic and Ljubomir Stanojkovic discussed the 
situation for the Serbian minority with me over lunch in Gracanica, 
which was my third visit to the city. Though there are still many 
concerns which must be addressed, I got the general impression that 
things are somewhat better for the Serbs than they were two years ago. 
I am encouraged that Dr. Trajkovic and Mr. Stanojkovic are active and 
participating with the new government, and I believe it is important 
that they continue to call on others to do the same. I believe it is 
essential that Serbs participate in the municipal elections this 
October and take advantage of the opportunity to participate and have a 
voice at the table of government.
  During my visit, I met with Ibrahim Rugova, who was elected President 
in March. This was my second meeting with Mr. Rugova--we visited when I 
was in Kosovo in February 2000. At that time, I also met with ethnic 
Albanian leaders Hashim Thaci and Rexhep Oosja. Two years ago, as Mr. 
Rugova and others continued to call for independence, I expressed my 
belief that there could be little serious discussion on independence 
until the rights of all people in Kosovo--including minorities--were 
protected. During our meeting in May, I again stressed this point.
  In addition to President Rugova, I also met with the new Prime 
Minister of Kosovo, Bajram Rexhepi, and discussed with him the 
situation in Kosovo. I was impressed with him during our meeting. He 
seems to clearly understand work that needs to be done, focusing on the 
need for refugee returns and respect for minority rights, as well as 
the need to stimulate economic development. He reminded me that U.S. 
leadership in Kosovo, and the region at large, is still very important.
  While I was pleased that everyone I spoke with during my meetings in 
Kosovo last month, including President Rugova, Prime Minister Rexhepi, 
and Michael Steiner, was committed to refugee returns, I am concerned 
because there are still more minorities leaving Kosovo than returning. 
With regard to returns, the OSCE-UNHCR report notes that if more people 
are to actually return, it will ``require much more meaningful and 
broad progress on the main issues,'' such as security, freedom of 
movement, essential services and employment.
  I also believe it is critical that Mr. Steiner and UNMIK articulate a 
clear action plan for returns. Additionally, following my visit to 
Kosovo, I remain very concerned with the situation in Mitrovica, which 
remains divided between north and south. I believe the only way to 
achieve any progress will be if the international community works with 
the elected leadership in Kosovo to find a solution. While there are 
different schools of though as to what should happen in Mitrovica, it 
is imperative that discussion continues and the parties act to 
normalize life for all the city's residents. This should happen 
quickly, and any plan on decentralization to give local communities 
more a stronger voice should be finalized before the municipal 
elections in the fall.
  I also believe we must watch the situation along the border with 
Macedonia carefully. This issue has become controversial in both Kosovo 
and Macedonia. While some in Macedonia would like to move forward with 
the demarcation of the border, this is a sensitive issue which must be 
approached calmly and rationally. The people of Kosovo do not support 
this border agreement, and at the end of May, the Kosovo Assembly 
passed a resolution denouncing the border agreement--which Michael 
Steiner immediately annulled. I believe there should be discussion on 
this matter, with all involved parties together at one table.
  Following my time in Kosovo, I traveled to the Slovak Republic to 
discuss the country's aspirations to join the NATO Alliance, and to 
assess their progress as they continue to participate in the membership 
action plan process. Though my time was limited, I was pleased to 
finally have the chance to travel to Slovakia--which was the only 
country aspiring to join the NATO Alliance that I had yet to visit.
  While in Bratislava, I spent time with our Ambassador to Slovakia, 
Ron Weiser, who is working hard to promote the merits of democracy, the 
rule of law and a free market economy as the country looks toward 
membership in NATO. I believe his work is important in the months 
leading to parliamentary elections this September, which could be a 
determining factor in Slovakia's candidacy for NATO membership.
  During my visit, I had the opportunity to meet with Prime Minister 
Mikulas Dzurinda, who has pushed forward with critical economic and 
democratic reforms in Slovakia since becoming prime minister in 1998. 
His government has placed a top priority on joining NATO and the 
European Union. Prime Minister Dzurinda and I discussed ongoing efforts 
to liberalize the economy, strengthen democratic institutions and 
modernize the country's armed forces. We also talked about the 
importance of respecting minority rights including the rights of the 
country's ethnic Hungarian community. Additional, I expressed my strong 
concern with the problems of organized crime, corruption and human 
trafficking in central and eastern Europe, and encouraged the Prime 
Minister and

[[Page 11690]]

his government to move forward with efforts to address these problems.
  I also met with Robert Fico, leader of the Smer (Direction) political 
party, who hopes to be the country's next prime minister. Young and 
charismatic, Fico's animate campaign signs were all around town as we 
drove from one meeting to the next. Fico and his colleague also 
expressed their strong support for Slovakia's membership in NATO and 
the European Union. As the polls are close, it is possible that he 
could play a role in the formation of the next government.
  Following my arrival at the Bratislava airport. I met with Defense 
State Secretary Ratislav Kacer. We discussed ongoing defense reforms, 
and the country's efforts to increase defense spending. During my time 
in public service, I have often said it is important to ``work harder 
and smarter,'' and do more with lees.'' Mr. Kacer knew of my 
philosophy, and said this could be helpful to Slovakia as the country 
works to modernize with limited resources. He reiterated the country's 
strong support of NATO, and said the government has aligned its own 
national defense priorities with issues important to the Alliance.
  Additionally, I have the oportunity to visit with ethnic. Hungarian 
Leader Mr. Laszlo Dobos, who was a member of Slovakia's parliament 
during the 1990s. Dr. Dobos is founder and chairman of Madach Posonium, 
as a Hungarian non-governmental organization that operates Hungarian 
bookstores in Slovakia and publishes Hungarian periodicals. We 
discussed a numb4er of tissues of concern to Slovakias Hungarian 
community, including higher education and greater autonomy for local 
governments.
  During at all meetings in Slovakia, I noted that the upcoming 
elections will be very important to the future of the country. Voters 
will decide the direction of he Slovakis Republic--and whether it moves 
toward membership in NATO and the DU, or whether it is left behind as 
others joint he broader European Community of democracies. Values are 
the hallmark of the NATO allcance, and I believe it is critical that 
Slovakia embraces the ideals of democracy, the rule of low and respect 
for human rights, consistnt with the current government, and break with 
the leadership of Vladimir Mecior that has been of strong concern to 
the United States, the Europe Union and other members international 
community in the past.
  I was also glad to have the opportunity to visit Slovakia to talk 
about the country's work to join the NATO Alliance. I have long 
followed developments in Slovenia, and I believe the country is in a 
very good position as we approach the NATO summit in Prague.
  Slovenia has made considerable progress on democratic, economic and 
defense reforms, and there is continued discussion on the merits of 
NATO membership in the public. At the same time, it is important that 
the government act to bolster public support for NATO, which has 
continued to hover around 50 percent. It is also imperative that the 
country work to increase its defense budget to the 2 percent mark. 
Currently, Solvenia allocates approximately 1.5 percent of GDP for its 
armed forces.
  During my time in Slovenia I had the opportunity to visit with 
President Milan Kucan, who I have known for many years. We discussed 
the country's work to join NATO, as well as its progress in efforts to 
prepare for membership in the European Union. With regard to public 
opinion, President Kucan indicated that public support for NATO is not 
a problem. He said people want to discuss the implications of 
membership in the Alliance and debate the merits of joining NATO. We 
also discussed Solvenia's progress on military reforms, as well as the 
country's interest in working to promote security and stability in 
southeast Europe.
  I again discussed these issues and found the same enthusiasm for 
Slovenia's membership in NATO and the European Union with members of 
the Slovenian parliament, including the President of Parliament Borut 
Pahor, President of the Foreign Affairs Committee Jelko Kacin and 
President of the Defense Committee Doran Marsic. Even the opposition 
expressed a solid commitment to moving forward with efforts to join the 
NATO Alliance. During consideration of a resolution on whether or not 
to have a national referendum on Slovenia's membership in NATO before 
the Prague summit, there was a very strong consensus that this should 
not happen until after the November meeting--with 63 agreeing that this 
should not happen immediately, with 9 opposing.
  I also discussed these issues with Prime Minister Janez Drnovsek, who 
has recently announced his intention to run for President of Slovenia, 
as well as Minister of Defense Anton Grizold. Additionally, I visited 
with our ambassador, John Young, and discussed the country's strong 
candidacy for membership in both NATO and the European Union. I am 
hopeful that public support for NATO membership will continue to grow, 
and I am glad that this will be an enlightened decision in Slovenia 
given the high level of discussion on the issue.
  Following meetings in Slovenia on Friday, May 31, 2002, I traveled to 
Brussels to visit with our Ambassador to NATO, Nick Burns, and the 
director of Javier Solana's Balkans Task Force, Mr. Stefan Lehne.
  During my meeting with Stefan Lehne, I discussed my long interest in 
southeast Europe and impressions from my recent visits to Macedonia and 
Kosovo. I spoke with him about my strong concern with political 
situation in Macedonia, and urged the European Union to remain involved 
in efforts to bring all parties to the table to discuss disagreements 
over the order between Macedonia and Kosovo. I also told him I believe 
it is essential that the international community do everything in its 
power to encourage the Macedonian government to remain committed to 
free and fair parliamentary elections scheduled for this September.
  We also discussed my interest in the Stability Pact--in particular, 
the Stability Pact's Quick Start Infrastructure Projects. I believe it 
is critical that the Pact make its intentions clear on the Quick Start 
projects.
  Finally, we discussed my concern with organized crime, corruption and 
trafficking in human beings, drugs and weapons that plague many 
countries in central and eastern Europe. I encouraged Mr. Lehne to make 
these problems a top priority, as they undermine efforts on behalf of 
the international community to promote democratic reforms and respect 
for the rule of law in many of Europe's new democracies.
  With Ambassador Nick Burns, I discussed my interest in NATO 
enlargement and observations from my visits to Bulgaria, Macedonia, 
Slovakida and Slovenia. While I share the vision of President Bush for 
a large round of enlargement in Prague, I expressed to Ambassador Burns 
my strong concern with the need for continued action in candidate 
countries.
  As we approach Prague, we must decide whether each candidate country 
has gone for enough to take the necessary steps to join the Alliance. 
And as we answer that question, we will also ask whether or not action 
is still needed, and whether reforms are best encouraged if that 
country is extended an invitation at Prague, or if that country is 
instead asked to continue reforms while looking toward the next round 
of enlargement. These will be difficult questions, and we must be 
prepared to answer them.
  I look forward to continued discussion with the administration and my 
colleagues in the Senate on NATO enlargement in the months ahead, and I 
encourage NATO aspirant countries to take as many steps as they can 
between now and November to address issues outlined in their respective 
Membership Action Plans.
  Additionally, I will continue to be active and involved in the Senate 
on issues affecting southeast Europe. We had a very productive Helsinki 
Commission hearing to examine the situation for ethnic minorities in 
Kosovo earlier this month, and I will continue to discuss this issue 
when I participate in the annual meeting of the OSCE Parliamentary 
Assembly next week.

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