[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 21727]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          NATO SUMMIT IN RIGA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 29, 2006

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, as a Co-Chair of the Congressional 
Croatian Caucus and in light of the forthcoming National Atlantic 
Treaty Organization (NATO) Summit in Riga, I would like to bring your 
attention to the significant progress Croatia has made to date under 
Euro-Atlantic integrations. I would also like to emphasize the 
contributions Croatia could make as a new NATO member in furthering its 
principles and enhancing security in the area. Finally, I would like to 
commend both the Croatian Embassy to the United States and the National 
Federation of Croatian Americans for their steadfast commitment to 
furthering the U.S.-Croatian relationship.
  In pursuing extensive political, economic, and defense reforms since 
it's independence, Croatia has proven to be a reliable partner in the 
international community's efforts to build long-term support and 
stability, and has been an active supporter of the global coalition 
against terrorism. Croatia fully recognizes the fundamental importance 
of sharing its vision of Euro-Atlantic integration with other countries 
in the region, demonstrating this through various regional initiatives 
such as the U.S. Adriatic Charter for Partnership with Albania and 
Macedonia.
  Croatia is one of the countries first in line for the next round of 
NATO enlargement, and has benefited greatly from the substantial 
investment made by the United States in the region. This investment 
represents the United States' belief in Croatia as a partner in 
promoting democratic ideals and peace-keeping efforts world-wide. 
Croatia has been an active contributor to non-Article V. NATO 
operations in the areas of crisis management and crisis response, 
notably under NATO-led ISAF operations in Afghanistan, Further, Croatia 
has consistently demonstrated its support for international efforts to 
bring peace, stability, and democracy in Iraq.
  The Congress' continuing support for further NATO enlargement was 
expressed last year, when the United States House of Representatives 
unanimously adopted House Resolution 529, recommending Croatia's 
integration into NATO. This was quickly followed by a similar 
resolution in the United States Senate. These resolutions not only 
represented recognition by the U.S. Legislature of the significant 
progress made by the Croatian government towards participating actively 
in a free and democratic world, they also provided valuable support for 
further efforts in Southeast Europe towards stability and security in 
the Southeastern European region.
  At the Riga Summit, NATO should go beyond its ``open door'' policy 
and issue an unequivocal message to invite one or more aspirant MAP 
countries to begin accession talks with NATO at the next Summit in 
2008, provided that they continue with necessary reforms and fulfill 
the conditions for membership, Croatia has demonstrated it is willing 
and able to assume responsibilities of NATO membership, and will prove 
to be an effective contributor to the collective defense and overall 
Alliance mission.
  Mr. Speaker, as a Co-Chair of the Croatian Caucus, I am fully 
convinced that Croatia's earliest integration into NATO will allow it 
to be a more valuable ally to the United States. I ask that you and my 
other distinguished colleagues join me today in recognizing Croatia's 
progress and in encouraging the Departments of State and Defense to 
push for full integration of Croatia into NATO at the earliest 
opportunity, preferably with an invitation no later than 2008.

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