[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 12]
[House]
[Pages 15736-15738]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      COMMENDING THE SIGNING OF THE UNITED STATES-ADRIATIC CHARTER

  Mr. GREEN of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 209) commending the 
signing of the United States-Adriatic Charter, a charter of partnership 
among the United States, Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 209

       Whereas the United States has an enduring interest in the 
     independence, territorial integrity, and security of Albania, 
     Croatia, and The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and 
     supports their full integration in the community of 
     democratic Euro-Atlantic states;
       Whereas Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia have taken clear 
     and positive steps to advance their integration into Europe 
     by establishing close cooperative relations among themselves 
     and with their neighbors, as well as their promotion of 
     regional cooperation;
       Whereas Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia have already 
     contributed to European security and to the peace and 
     security of southeast Europe through the resolution of 
     conflicts in the region and their regional cooperation in the 
     Southeast Europe Defense Ministerial;
       Whereas on May 2, 2003, the United States-Adriatic Charter 
     was signed in Tirana, Albania, by Secretary of State Colin 
     Powell, Albanian Foreign Minister Ilir Meta, Croatian Foreign 
     Minister Tonino Picula, and Macedonian Foreign Minister 
     Ilinka Mitreva;
       Whereas the Adriatic Charter affirms the commitment of 
     Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia to the values and principles 
     of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and to 
     joining the Alliance at the earliest possible time;
       Whereas Secretary of State Powell stated that the Adriatic 
     Charter ``reaffirms our partners' dedication to work 
     individually, with each other, and with their neighbors to 
     build a region of strong democracies powered by free market 
     economies . . . [i]t underscores the importance we place on 
     their eventual full integration into NATO and other European 
     institutions . . . [a]nd most importantly, the Charter 
     promises to strengthen the ties that bind the peoples of the 
     region to the United States, to one another, and to a common 
     future within the Euro-Atlantic family''; and
       Whereas 75 Albanian special forces troops were sent to Iraq 
     as part of the coalition forces during Operation Iraqi 
     Freedom, 29 Macedonian special forces troops were sent to 
     Iraq as part of the postwar stabilization force, and Albania, 
     Croatia, and Macedonia all contributed to the stabilization 
     forces in Afghanistan, as signs of their commitment to 
     promote international freedom and security: Now, therefore, 
     be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That Congress--
       (1) strongly supports the United States-Adriatic Charter 
     and commends Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia for their 
     continued efforts to become full-fledged members of the North 
     Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the European Union;
       (2) urges NATO to invite Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia to 
     join NATO as soon as each of these countries respectively 
     demonstrates the ability to assume the responsibilities of 
     NATO membership through the Membership Action Plan;
       (3) welcomes and supports the aspirations of Albania, 
     Croatia, and Macedonia to join the European Union at the 
     earliest opportunity;
       (4) recognizes that Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia are 
     making important strides to bring their economic, military, 
     and political institutions into conformance with the 
     standards of NATO and other Euro-Atlantic institutions; and
       (5) commends Secretary of State Powell for his personal 
     support of the Adriatic Charter.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Wisconsin (Mr. Green) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Green).


                             General Leave

  Mr. GREEN of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend 
their remarks and to include extraneous material on the concurrent 
resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Wisconsin?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. GREEN of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, the concurrent resolution before us expresses the 
support of the Congress for the Adriatic Charter, as it was reported 
favorably by the Committee on International Relations on June 12.
  The charter was signed on May 2 in the Albanian capital of Tirana by 
Secretary of State Powell and the foreign ministers of Albania, 
Croatia, and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, the three 
remaining NATO-aspirant nations.
  The Adriatic Charter pledges the United States to support efforts by 
Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia to join Euro-Atlantic institutions like 
NATO and the European Union. In this agreement, the three aspirant 
nations commit themselves to accelerate their democratic reforms, 
protect human rights, implement market-oriented economic policies, and 
enhance their mutual cooperation. Under the Adriatic Charter, the 
United States and these three countries pledge to consult whenever the 
security of one of them is threatened. For their part, the aspirant 
countries promise to continue defense reforms and to undertake steps to 
enhance border security so they can contribute to regional stability.
  Mr. Speaker, this Member urges the House to agree to this concurrent 
resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution. First, I 
want to commend the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter) and the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel) and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. 
Wexler) for their leadership on this important resolution, and the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Hyde), our chairman, for moving it forward 
so expeditiously.
  Our resolution celebrates cooperation and forward-thinking among the 
nations of the Balkans, a region that just a few years ago was engulfed 
in ethnic violence and strife. Our Nation, Mr. Speaker, has an enduring 
interest in the independence, territorial integrity, and security of 
Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia and supports their full integration in 
the community of democratic Euro-Atlantic states. The Adriatic Charter 
affirms the commitment of Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia to the values 
and principles of NATO and to their joining the Atlantic Alliance at 
the earliest practical time.
  Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia have taken positive steps to advance 
their integration into Europe and have already contributed to European 
security and to the peace and security of southeast Europe through the 
resolution of severe conflicts in the region.
  Mr. Speaker, I commend all of my colleagues who have worked on this 
concurrent resolution. I urge every Member of this House to support its 
passage.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. GREEN of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may 
consume to the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bereuter), the chairman of 
the Europe Subcommittee.
  Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. 
Green) for handling this concurrent resolution and for the support of 
the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos), as well, on this very 
important resolution.
  I want to begin by of course expressing my strong support for the 
resolution and thanking the distinguished gentleman from New York (Mr. 
Engel), one of our colleagues on the Committee on International 
Relations, for authoring the legislation and for working with the staff 
of the subcommittee and the full committee. He has long been a champion 
of Albania in the House, and I am pleased to be a cosponsor of this 
resolution.
  As mentioned by the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Green), this is a 
pledge also on the part of Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia through what 
they did

[[Page 15737]]

in Tirana for full continued support for moving towards NATO 
membership.
  Under the Adriatic Charter, the United States and these three 
countries pledge to consult whenever the security of one of them is 
threatened. For their part, the aspirant countries promise to continue 
defense reforms and to undertake steps to enhance border security so 
that they can contribute to regional stability.
  Some of the language in the Adriatic Charter might look familiar. 
Indeed, this document was based on the successful Baltic Charter, which 
was signed in 1998 between Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Five years 
ago few observers would have been so bold as to predict that those 
three countries occupied for 50 years by the Soviet Union and then 
Russia-to-be would be poised to join NATO and the EU next year. The 
Baltic Charter signifies an American commitment to help those three 
countries in their successful efforts to join NATO and the EU. Today, 
the Adriatic Charter holds the potential for helping Albania, Croatia, 
and Macedonia to achieve the same goals.

                              {time}  1430

  This Member, of course, recognizes and commends the efforts of 
Secretary of State Powell and those of our diplomats working the 
European and Eurasian Bureau of the State Department for their 
initiative in crafting the Adriatic Charter.
  As NATO prepares to admit seven new countries next year, it is 
important that these three remaining candidate countries are not 
forgotten. NATO's door remains open to all who are willing and able to 
assume the responsibilities of membership, and it is important that the 
Congress assert that it is the achievements of Albania, Croatia, and 
Macedonia that will determine when their aspirations for accession will 
be realized. Each of them are working through membership action plans 
to meet NATO's standards, and each will be judged on their own 
accomplishments.
  Mr. Speaker, already, these three nations have acted like allies. All 
three countries have sent troops to the International Security 
Assistance Force in Afghanistan. In addition, Albania sent 75 special 
operations troops to take part in Operation Iraqi Freedom, and 
Macedonia this month has sent 29 special forces troops to Iraq to take 
part in the stabilization operations there. We appreciate their 
contributions and look forward to the day when they are ready to take 
on the full responsibilities of NATO membership.
  Mr. Speaker, the Adriatic Charter is also one more step towards 
President Bush's goal of a Europe whole and free from the Baltic to the 
Black Sea. This Member commends and congratulates the people of 
Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia for their initiative and progress, and 
this Member urges the House to pass this resolution.
  Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 209, which 
commends the signing of the U.S. Adriatic Charter. As the author of H. 
Con. Res. 209, I am honored that the House is now considering this 
important resolution.
  On May 2, 2003, the U.S. Adriatic Charter was signed in Tirana, 
Albania by Secretary of State Colin Powell and the Foreign Ministers of 
Albania, Croatia, and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. As 
Secretary Colin Powell noted when he signed the document, it is 
remarkable that the agreement was signed in Albania, a country once 
known only for its isolation and distance from Western principles. 
Today, Tirana is a capital filled with energy as it continues its 
opening to Europe. Macedonia and Croatia have seen similar changes.
  As NATO has expanded through other countries of Europe, several 
former Yugoslav nations in South Central Europe were excluded. They 
just were not ready for membership. Today, three of those nations, 
Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia are now moving to make the needed 
changes and reforms so that they can join the North Atlantic 
structures.
  The U.S. Adriatic Charter embodies a commitment by Alabania, Croatia, 
and Macedonia to the values and principles of NATO and a declaration of 
their intent to join NATO as soon as they meet Alliance standards. I 
strongly support their efforts to advance toward NATO membership and 
having Secretary Powell sign the Charter puts the United States firmly 
in support of their efforts to join NATO when they are ready.
  By passing this resolution today, Congress will add its voice, by 
``urg[ing] NATO to invite Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia to join NATO 
as soon as these countries demonstrate the ability to assume the 
responsibilities of NATO membership.''
  H. Con. Res. 209 also welcomes and supports the aspirations of 
Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia to join the European Union at the 
earliest opportunity and recognizes that the three countries are making 
important strides to bring their economic, military, and political 
institutions into conformance with the standards of NATO and other 
Euro-Atlantic institutions. Finally, our resolution also commends 
Secretary Powell for his strong personal support of the resolution, as 
demonstrated by his travel to the region to sign the document.
  Mr. Speaker, as the sponsor of H. Con. Res. 209, I think this is an 
appropriate forum to publicly thank Albania, for sending 75 commandos 
to Iraq to fight along side our troops. It is my hope that Albania, one 
of only three European countries to send ground troops to fight in the 
war, would be high on Defense Department's list when it considers the 
realignment of and new bases for American forces around the world.
  Finally, I would like to thank the chairman of the Europe 
Subcommittee, Mr. Bereuter,  and his staff for their cooperation and 
support as we drafted this resolution, H. Con. Res. 209. I would also 
like to thank the ranking member of the subcommittee, Mr. Wexler,  for 
his support.
  Again, I strongly support H. Con. Res. 209 and urge my colleagues to 
support its passage.
  Mr. Speaker, I include letters from John Kraljic, President of the 
National Federation of Croatian Americans, His Excellency Nikola 
Dimitrov, Ambassador of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and 
Martin Vulaj, Executive Director of the National Albanian American 
Council.

                                                Embassy of the

                             Ambassador Republic of Macedonia,

                                    Washington, DC, June 12, 2003.
     Hon. Representative Eliot E. Engel,
     House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Engel: Allow me to express my sincere gratitude 
     for your initiative in adopting the resolution H. Con. Res. 
     209 by the Committee on Foreign Relations of the House of the 
     Representatives regarding the signing of the United States-
     Adriatic Charter, charter of partnership among the United 
     States, Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia.
       Let me assure you one more time that Macedonia, along with 
     Albania and Croatia is strongly committed to the values and 
     principles of the NATO and is willing to joining the Alliance 
     at the earliest possible time.
       My country already contributes to European security and to 
     the peace and security of southeast Europe through peaceful 
     resolution of the conflicts and regional cooperation.
       Macedonia strongly supports the endeavors of the Government 
     of the United States to bring security, stability and 
     democracy in Iraq and Afghanistan. My Government has sent 
     troops to Iraq as part of the coalition forces to contribute 
     the success of the operation Iraqi Freedom, and to 
     Afghanistan.
       Dear Mr. Engel, I look forward for future opportunity to 
     exchange our views, and thank you again for your support to 
     my country.
           Sincerely,
     Nikola Dimitrov.
                                  ____

         National Federation of Croatian Americans Cultural 
           Foundation,
                                    Washington, DC, June 19, 2003.
     Hon. Eliot Engel,
     Rayburn House Office Building, House of Representatives, 
         Washington, DC.
       Dear Congressman Engel: Thank you for the introduction of 
     H. Con. Res. 209 and your important service in the U.S. 
     Congress on the Europe Subcommittee of the House 
     International Relations Committee.
       The National Federation of Croatian Americans (NFCA) 
     understands that your Concurrent Resolution commending the 
     signing of the United States-Adriatic Charter--a charter of 
     partnership among the United States, Albania, Croatia, and 
     Macedonia--has been voted out of the Full Committee and 
     awaits House Floor action. Please be aware that the NFCA 
     fully supports the passage of this Resolution by both the 
     House of Representatives and the Senate.
       NFCA has long supported the Republic of Croatia's request 
     for membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization 
     (NATO). We believe it is a natural and important extension of 
     Croatia's integration into important western security and 
     related alliances since the Republic's reestablishment as a 
     viable nation-state over ten years ago. Croatia is the most 
     stable and economically developed country in southeastern 
     Europe. Its democratic structure has been strongly 
     established as evidenced by three national elections since 
     1990. Croatia has a wide range of political parties and a 
     critical and independent press. Economically Croatia's Gross

[[Page 15738]]

     Domestic Product is greater than that of most of its 
     neighbors, some of whom have already joined NATO. 
     Furthermore, since the time Croatia claimed its independence 
     in the early 1990s, it has adopted American and NATO military 
     techniques. Croatia currently participates as full partner in 
     the U.S. and NATO war on international terrorism.
       The NFCA is a Washington, DC-based national umbrella 
     organization that represents over 20 Croatian American groups 
     and 130,000 members. We have promoted the early admittance of 
     Croatia into NATO and, indeed, believe that Croatia should be 
     invited to join NATO as soon as it meets the criteria for 
     membership. Our organization believes the passage of this 
     Concurrent Resolution by the U.S. House of Representatives 
     will further underline the need to bring Croatia into NATO at 
     the earliest opportunity. The NFCA fully supports the passage 
     of H. Con. Res. 209.
       Thank you once again for your leadership on this important 
     Resolution.
           Sincerely,
                                                     John Kraljic,
     President.
                                  ____

                                                 National Albanian


                                             American Council,

                                    Washington, DC, June 23, 2003.
     Hon. Eliot Engel,
     Co-Chairman of the Albanian Issues Caucus, Rayburn House 
         Office Building, House of Representatives, Washington, 
         DC.
       Dear Congressman Engel: The National Albanian American 
     Council wishes to express its grateful thanks to you for your 
     initiative in introducing H. Con. Res. 209, which passed by 
     the House International Relations Committee regarding the 
     signing of the United States--Adriatic Charter, a charter of 
     partnership among the United States, Albania, Croatia, and 
     Macedonia.
       We believe that this is an important step in paving the way 
     for Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia to become members of NATO 
     in the future. It also reaffirms their determination to work 
     individually and with each other to build a region of strong 
     democracies powered by a free market economy.
       We wish to thank you Congressman Engel for your outstanding 
     work and your commitment to the development and 
     democratization of the Balkans. The National Albania American 
     Council wishes to recognize your outstanding contributions 
     and your leadership in the Albania Issues Caucus on behalf of 
     the Albania American Community.
           Sincerely,
                                                     Martin Vulaj,
                                               Executive Director.

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 
209. I am proud to support a resolution which commends the signing of 
the United States-Adriatic Charter and urges NATO to invite Croatia to 
become a member.
  I have long supported the Republic of Croatia's request for 
membership in the NATO, and I believe it is a natural and important 
extension of Croatia's integration into important western security and 
related alliances since the Republic's reestablishment as a viable 
nation-state over 10 years ago.
  Croatia is one of the most stable and economically developed 
countries in the southeastern Europe. Its democratic structure has been 
strongly established as evidence by three national elections since 
1990.
  Croatia has a wide range of political parties and a critical and 
independent press. Economically, Croatia's Gross Domestic Product is 
greater than that of most of its neighbors, some of whom have already 
joined NATO.
  In addition, Croatia currently participates as a full partner in the 
United States and NATO war on international terrorism. Finally, I 
believe the passage of this concurrent resolution will further 
underline the need to bring Croatia into NATO at the earliest 
opportunity.
  Mr. GREEN of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for 
time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Aderholt). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Green) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 
209, as amended.
  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. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  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.

                          ____________________