[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 12]
[House]
[Pages 17076-17079]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1045
CONGRATULATING ALBANIA AND CROATIA ON BEING INVITED TO BEGIN ACCESSION 
           TALKS WITH THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION

  Mr. BERMAN. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 1266) congratulating Albania and Croatia on 
being invited to begin accession talks with the North Atlantic Treaty 
Organization and expressing support for continuing to enlarge the 
alliance, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1266

       Whereas the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) met 
     in April 2008 to enlarge the alliance, to reaffirm the 
     purpose of NATO to defend the populations, territories, and 
     forces in the Euro-Atlantic region, and to strengthen further 
     the ability of NATO to confront existing and emerging 21st-
     century security threats;
       Whereas NATO invited Albania and Croatia to begin accession 
     talks to join NATO and indicated that those talks will begin 
     immediately, with the aim of completing the ratification 
     process without delay;
       Whereas NATO expressed recognition of the hard work and 
     commitment demonstrated by other countries that aspire to 
     join NATO and commended those countries for their efforts to 
     build multiethnic societies;
       Whereas NATO invited Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro 
     to begin an Intensified Dialogue on the full range of 
     political, military, financial, and security issues relating 
     to their aspirations to join NATO;
       Whereas NATO expressed the desire to develop an ambitious 
     and substantive relationship with Serbia, making full use of 
     Serbia's membership in the Partnership for Peace, and to make 
     more progress toward integrating Serbia into the Euro-
     Atlantic community, including through an Intensified Dialogue 
     following a request by Serbia; and
       Whereas NATO's ongoing enlargement process has been a 
     historic success in advancing stability and cooperation and 
     reaching the transatlantic goal of ensuring that Europe is 
     whole and free, and united in peace, democracy, and common 
     values: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) congratulates Albania and Croatia on being invited by 
     the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to begin 
     accession talks and recognizes the historic nature of that 
     achievement, earned through years of hard work and a 
     demonstrated commitment to common security and the shared 
     values of NATO members;
       (2) congratulates Albania and Croatia on the signing of the 
     Accession Protocols by NATO members on July 9, 2008, opening 
     the way for full NATO membership for both countries;
       (3) expresses strong support for the timely completion of 
     the accession process with Albania and Croatia;
       (4) fully supports the invitations to initiate an 
     Intensified Dialogue between NATO and Bosnia and Herzegovina, 
     Montenegro, and Serbia;
       (5) supports the enlargement of NATO and believes that 
     continued engagement with all countries that aspire to join 
     NATO will strengthen security for all countries in the Euro-
     Atlantic region;
       (6) supports the declaration of NATO at the Bucharest 
     Summit, which states that NATO's door should remain open to 
     European democracies willing and able to assume the 
     responsibilities and obligations of membership, in accordance 
     with article 10 of the North Atlantic Treaty, signed at 
     Washington April 4, 1949 (TIAS 1964); and
       (7) affirms the statement in that declaration that any 
     decision with respect to the membership of countries in NATO 
     will be made through consensus, by members of NATO, and no 
     country outside of NATO has a vote or veto with respect to 
     such decisions.

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


                             General Leave

  Mr. BERMAN. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and 
include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. BERMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I am pleased to support this resolution, which was 
introduced by my good friend, the ranking member of the Europe 
Subcommittee, Elton Gallegly, the gentleman from California, a 
resolution that congratulates Albania and Croatia on receiving an 
invitation to begin accession talks with the North Atlantic Treaty 
Organization and expresses support for further expansion of the 
alliance.
  At the NATO summit held in Bucharest this past April, the alliance 
made

[[Page 17077]]

notable progress on integrating the Balkans into this important Euro-
Atlantic institution. Most significantly, NATO invited Albania and 
Croatia to begin accession talks. I was pleased to see that accession 
protocols were signed with both countries on July 9th.
  These two countries, Albania and Croatia, have made remarkable 
progress in reforming their political institutions and strengthening 
their military capabilities in recent years. They will make important 
contributions to international security, as well as to the stability of 
Southeastern Europe.
  NATO has also recognized the hard work and commitment demonstrated by 
other countries in the region. The alliance responded positively to a 
request from Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina to intensify their 
engagement. Both countries have been active participants in NATO's 
Partnership for Peace program for the last 18 months and will begin an 
intensive dialogue with NATO on a wide range of political, military and 
financial issues.
  NATO leaders also extended a hand of friendship to Serbia, inviting 
the country to similarly upgrade its engagement to Intensified 
Dialogue, even though Belgrade has yet to indicate its interest in 
enhanced cooperation at this stage.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CHABOT. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, House Resolution 1266 congratulates the countries of 
Albania and Croatia on their recent invitation to join the NATO 
Alliance. Both countries have struggled to implement significant 
democratic and economic reforms over the past two decades. The 
invitations for these countries to join NATO are recognition of the 
progress that they have both made in spite of such obstacles.
  This resolution also recognizes the importance of continued expansion 
of the NATO Alliance to include other European countries that may meet 
NATO's membership standards. The expansion of the alliance and the 
finalization of Membership Action Plans with countries that have not 
yet been invited to join NATO is a necessary next step for countries 
like Georgia and Ukraine, for example, that have not yet been invited 
to join NATO.
  As this resolution notes, NATO's continued enlargement will 
strengthen security in the Euro-Atlantic region.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BERMAN. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the 
gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pascrell).
  Mr. PASCRELL. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  I rise today in strong support of House Resolution 1266, a resolution 
congratulating Albania and Croatia on being invited to begin accession 
talks with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. I support this 
continuing enlargement of the alliance.
  These nations have been preparing for NATO for 8 years and are 
undergoing a historic process. They have made important improvements in 
the areas of ethnic diversity, human rights, free market economic 
principles and the promotion of good neighborly relations. Their unique 
geo-strategic position will be an asset to NATO. I commend the 
governments of these deserving nations for this historic achievement.
  However, it bears mentioning there were three nations being 
considered for NATO membership this year, Croatia, Albania, and 
Macedonia. Unfortunately, Macedonia's bid for NATO accession was 
blocked due to an ongoing dispute with another NATO member.
  It is a shame that Macedonia, our steadfast ally who just this year 
committed to doubling its troop level in Iraq and has military serving 
in Afghanistan, was treated in this manner. I remember Macedonia took 
over 35,000 refugees, I was there at the time, as Milosevic tried to 
wipe out Kosovo.
  Macedonia's strong and sincere commitment to transforming their 
country into one dedicated to the principles of free market economics, 
pluralistic democracy and the rule of law cannot be denied. The 
exclusion of Macedonia from NATO will only serve to diminish regional 
stability, which I think is what we want, and will discourage other 
developing democracies from making needed political, economic and 
military reforms.
  Its omission was purely political. As a Member with both Macedonian 
and Greek constituents in my district, the 8th District of New Jersey, 
I have been involved in this dispute for a long time. I strongly belief 
we should be bringing nations together, not keeping them apart.
  We are talking about objecting because of what Macedonia calls 
itself. Thomas Friedman has written about this time and time again. 
This is the 21st century. What are we doing to ourselves? This nation 
has responded every time the United States has asked, and yet we have 
accepted the denial. And the State Department agrees with my position.
  Madam Speaker, I offer my sincere congratulations to Albania and 
Croatia on their achievement.
  And I will tell you how far this went, Madam Speaker: The denial on 
the floor of the Senate, holding up the U.S. Ambassador to Macedonia, 
Philip Reeker, apparently because he was not talking enough ``pro-
Greece.''
  I am pro-Greece. I am pro-Macedonia. We cannot afford to have this 
happen, because we stand for the little guy, remember, the United 
States of America. Macedonia is a very small country, less than 2.5 
million people. It doesn't have a great standing army.
  I ask us not only to congratulate Croatia and Albania, but do 
everything in our power to make sure Macedonia sits at the table.
  Mr. CHABOT. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Gallegly), the author of this resolution and also the 
ranking member and former chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee's 
Subcommittee on Europe.
  Mr. GALLEGLY. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 1266, a resolution 
I introduced that congratulates Albania and Croatia for the decision by 
NATO to invite these two countries to become full members of the 
alliance.
  On April 3rd of this year, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization at 
its summit meeting in Bucharest invited Albania and Croatia to begin 
accession talks to join the organization. This decision was in 
recognition of wide-ranging political, economic and military reforms 
undertaken by these two aspiring members.
  Both Albania and Croatia have made significant progress in 
establishing civilian control in their armed forces and ensuring those 
forces are closely integrated with the militaries of NATO members. Both 
have made substantial progress in holding free and fair elections, 
establishing democratic institutions and building their free market 
economies.
  Regarding Albania, I want to single out the assistance of their 
military in three areas of operation: Albania's participation in the 
NATO-led peacekeeping mission in Bosnia; its contribution of 140 men to 
the NATO operations in Afghanistan; and the participation of Albanian 
Special Forces as part of the U.S.-led coalition in Iraq.
  With respect to Croatia, it has been and continues to be a 
significant contributor to peacekeeping missions in Bosnia and Kosovo. 
In Afghanistan, Croatia has been a supporter of the NATO-led mission 
and in the past year has sharply increased their military forces in 
that country. In addition, Croatia has strongly backed international 
efforts in the areas of nonproliferation and the fight against illegal 
trafficking of weapons, drugs and persons.
  I have traveled to Croatia on numerous occasions and can attest to 
the fact that the Croatians and Americans enjoy a close friendship 
based on common interests and common values. Today we enjoy the closest 
bilateral relationship with Croatia since the country achieved its 
independence in 1992.
  Madam Speaker, Albania and Croatia are two strong allies that have 
shown that they are ready, willing and able to become full members of 
NATO. I urge

[[Page 17078]]

the passage of H. Res. 1266, and also urge the Senate to move quickly 
to ratify amendments to the NATO treaty that would allow these two 
nations to join our most important international alliance.
  Mr. BERMAN. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to yield 2 minutes to the 
gentlewoman from Chicago (Ms. Schakowsky).
  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 
1266. I have a strong relationship with the Croatian-American community 
in my district, and I strongly support it.

                              {time}  1100

  Mr. CHABOT. Madam Speaker, I yield 4 minutes to the distinguished 
gentleman from California (Mr. Radanovich), who is also the cochairman 
of the House Croatian Caucus.
  Mr. RADANOVICH. I thank the gentleman from Ohio, the gentleman from 
California, and also Mr. Gallegly for introducing this important 
statement in support of Croatia and Albania.
  Over the last 17 years, we have seen the bilateral relationship 
between Croatia and the United States grow to the point where today 
Croatia stands as a steady and reliable friend in Southeast Europe and 
the Balkans. Exemplified by President Bush's successful trip there in 
April of this year, Croatia has become a true partner on a global 
scale. The U.S. and Croatia share joint efforts in the war against 
global terrorism, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and 
international organized crime, which represent the most dangerous 
threats to national and international security.
  As an active contributor to NATO-led operations in Afghanistan, 
Croatia has already demonstrated itself willing and capable to assume 
responsibilities of NATO membership, and will prove to be an effective 
contributor to the collective defense and overall alliance mission. In 
total, Croatia currently participates in 17 international peacekeeping 
missions and is a current nonpermanent member of the United Nations 
Security Council.
  As cochair of the Croatian Caucus, it has long been a goal of ours to 
see Croatia receive an invitation to join NATO, and I was pleased when 
the invitation to begin accession discussions came earlier this year. 
The government and the people of Croatia have worked very hard, and 
NATO has taken notice of their political, social, and military reforms. 
All Croatians and Croatian Americans deserve to feel true national 
pride in this accomplishment. I know that I speak for myself, my 
cochair Mr. Visclosky, and other members of the Croatian Caucus when I 
say that we look forward to continuing to work with Croatia and their 
very capable embassy here in the United States on a variety of issues 
of mutual concern.
  This is truly a great accomplishment for the nation of Croatia, and 
it is very appropriate that as a Congress we stand together to honor 
the accomplishments of our friend and ally. I thank all the Members who 
cosponsored this resolution and helped to bring it to the floor, and 
encourage my colleagues to join me today in honoring Croatia and 
Albania.
  Mr. BERMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
North Dakota (Mr. Pomeroy).
  Mr. POMEROY. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of this 
resolution.
  I am very pleased that Albania and Croatia were invited to join the 
alliance at the Bucharest summit in April of this year. Enlarging NATO 
has been hugely successful in advancing stability and cooperation among 
NATO's member states, and this invitation to Albania and Croatia to 
join the alliance is very welcome news.
  Unfortunately, another friend and important ally, the Republic of 
Macedonia, was blocked from joining NATO at the Bucharest summit due to 
the objection of a single nation, Greece, over the official name of 
Macedonia. This is very disappointing.
  Macedonia has made significant economic and political reforms. They 
have made a strong contribution to U.S.-led military missions. They 
have been deemed to be fully qualified to become a member of the 
alliance.
  Greece is our long-time friend, our valued ally, but their refusal to 
allow Macedonia into NATO over a bilateral name dispute represents, to 
my belief, the first time NATO membership has been denied any country 
due to a bilateral dispute unrelated to strategic defense 
considerations of the alliance. This is a very troubling precedent. It 
sets the stage for what could be a pattern, where member states 
leverage their advantage to nonmember states seeking to get into NATO 
and try and extract any measure of bilateral concession, all occurring 
at the expense of the alliance.
  I strongly support a quick and expedient resolution to the name 
dispute between Greece and Macedonia so that Macedonia can join Albania 
and Croatia in signing accession protocols with NATO. I commend the 
United States diplomat that has led the efforts to resolve this issue. 
Both Greece and Macedonia have expressed their resolution to continue 
to work on getting a breakthrough. I encourage their efforts and I urge 
them, these great countries, these important friends of ours, to rise 
above the temptation to exploit nationalist themes for domestic 
political advantage in each of their respective countries. Put that 
aside, rise above that for the good of the alliance. Resolve this issue 
and let Macedonia in.
  The resolution before us commends Albania and commends Croatia for 
the beginning of the accession process. They deserve this commendation. 
Please support this resolution.


                Announcement By the Speaker Pro Tempore

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Persons in the gallery are reminded to 
refrain from any exhibition, including applause.
  Mr. CHABOT. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, as we now consider and 
certainly will adopt House Resolution 1266, congratulating Albania and 
Croatia on being invited to begin accession talks with the North 
Atlantic Treaty Organization and expressing support for continuing to 
enlarge the alliance, I would like to express my support for these 
countries as they move forward.
  As Chairman of the Helsinki Commission, I convened a hearing on NATO 
enlargement in early March, where we examined the respective NATO 
prospects not only of Albania and Croatia but also of Macedonia, 
Georgia and Ukraine. While some of these countries must still contend 
with outstanding issues, whether of their own making or not, I strongly 
support their NATO aspirations and encourage them to move forward as 
well.
  I am well aware of the many hurdles Albania has faced in recovering 
from decades of extremely repressive communist rule. Albania has also 
had to confront an often undeservedly negative image in the rest of 
Europe. Receiving its invitation at the Bucharest summit in April, 
therefore, was an amazing achievement of which every Albanian citizen, 
regardless of their political affiliation, should be proud. It is my 
hope, however, that the sense of accomplishment will encourage the 
country's leaders to continue the transition to a state based on 
democratic norms and the rule of law, especially as Albania prepares 
for elections next year and continues its investigation of the March 
tragedy at Gerdec.
  Croatia also has had to address many challenges prior to receiving 
its invitation, although in its case those challenges related to the 
very violent conflicts associated with Yugoslavia's demise in the 
1990s. It was clear that Croatia always had the potential to recover 
quickly, and it fortunately did just that.
  The challenges Albania and Croatia have faced, in my view, will 
ultimately make them better allies. Their citizens have an appreciation 
of freedom and a desire for protecting freedom that many living in more 
established democracies may have lost. And as countries who can recall 
their dependence on European security structures to help them in their 
times of need, they now are committed to becoming contributors to those 
same European security structures.
  Mr. BERMAN. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Berman) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1266, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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