Urging the Government of the Republic of Albania to ensure that the parliamentary elections to be held on July 3, 2005, are conducted in accordance with international standards for free and fair elections.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 155) urging the Government of the Republic of Albania to ensure that the parliamentary elections to be held on July 3, 2005, are conducted in accordance with international standards for free and fair elections.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, 14 years ago, Albania was just emerging from decades of brutal isolation from Europe when they held their first genuinely contested elections in 1991. Not surprisingly, they fell short of the standards for free and fair elections as defined by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, or OSCE, as did subsequent elections for parliament and local government. The United States and other friends of Albania, however, remained engaged with the Albanian people throughout their turbulent transition.

Today, Albania is at the point where the country can actually hold free and fair elections, something the citizens of that country deeply deserve. Parliamentary elections have been scheduled, as Members of this House know, for July 3, and the campaign period is well underway. Staff in the U.S. Helsinki Commission, which I co-chair, will be serving on the international observation mission. Albania has come far in reforming its election process and through these elections has the opportunity to jump a major hurdle not only towards completion of its transition to democracy, but in preparing for integration into European and Euro-Atlantic institutions.

There is good reason to remain concerned, however, that the elections will fall short of international standards. The good things that have been adopted, such as the Code of Conduct adopted by key political parties, may not be carried out. The OSCE's election observer mission has reported receiving an increased number of allegations of legal misuse of state resources and personnel for campaign purposes. If found to be true, those engaged in this activity would be responsible for what would be regarded as a tremendous setback for the country.

Hopefully, by passing this resolution, we can encourage Albanian authorities to respect the rule of law, to abide by their Code of Conduct, and respect the results of the upcoming election. When my colleague, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel), and I first introduced this resolution, it was with the expectation the U.S. Congress could constructively make a difference by calling on the authorities, political parties, and others to do the right thing so that the real winners in the elections will be the people of Albania who make the effort to vote.

Finally, I am hopeful these elections will meet international standards, because that is one of the first steps Albania will need to take on the path to full Euro-Atlantic integration.

The new Albanian government will also need to tackle problems relating to official corruption and organized crime. Fortunately, beyond a good election process, we must see the development of civil society in Albania, with the youth groups and others pressing elected officials to address the every day problems that plague the lives of Albanian citizens.

I hope my colleagues will support this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 1 minute to conclude.

I thank the gentleman from California (Mr. Lantos) for this partnership resolution, as well as the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Wolf), and others. We had 27 cosponsors of this resolution.

Last July in the Commission on Security Cooperation in Europe, we held a hearing in Albania. We heard from a number of important and prominent witness, including representatives of MJAFT! which is the youth organization that is doing some important pioneering and important work in Albania today. I want to thank them for their work as well.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, and I rise in strong support of the resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I want to commend my good friend and colleague, the gentleman from New Jersey, (Mr. Smith), and our colleague on the Committee on International Relations, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel), for introducing this excellent resolution urging free and fair elections in Albania. I am pleased to be a cosponsor of the resolution.

Mr. Speaker, it was 15 years ago this month that I had the privilege of being the first American Government official to set foot in Albania after a 44-year hiatus. At that time, Albania was taking its first halting steps to end a half a century of Communist dictatorship and self-imposed international isolation.

Wherever I traveled throughout the country, from formal meetings with

top government officials to casual chats with students at the University of Tirana, crowds of Albanians gathered, looking on curiously and apprehensively, but hopefully. They were anxious to join the world community, but they were fearful of the consequences of transforming the political and economic system that they knew, despite its profound failings.

Since 1990, Albania has worked with the United States and has participated in NATO's Partnership for Peace program. The Albanian Government has made it clear that it is very anxious to join NATO and to strengthen its relations with our Nation. Albania has indicated its desire to become a full member of the European Union with all of the economic and political obligations that that implies.

Albania's road to democracy and full international participation has not been easy. The country's parliamentary and local elections during the 1990s were marred by electoral irregularities and fraud. This hampered its desire for closer links with the Euro-Atlantic community.

The Albanian election now scheduled for July 3 provides a new opportunity for the people of Albania to demonstrate their readiness for closer ties with the United States and the democratic nations of Europe.

I have been encouraged by the commitment of Albania's leaders, Prime Minister Fatos Nano of the Socialist Party, and former President Sali Berisha of the Democratic Party, to see that this election will meet international standards for free, fair, open, and democratic elections.

The July 3 election is one of the most important in Albania since the end of the Communist era. The United States and the international community will be watching this election very carefully to determine whether Albania truly meets international standards. For Albania to make the progress that it seeks in becoming a full member of the Euro- Atlantic community within NATO and the European Union, these elections must be free and fair beyond a doubt.

Our resolution expresses the support of the Congress and the American people for open and democratic elections in Albania. It also urges our President to express to the people and the political leadership of Albania the great importance our Nation attaches to the July 3 elections. It is certainly accurate to say that the way the upcoming Albanian elections are conducted will be a central factor in determining the future relationship between the United States and Albania.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of this resolution urging the Government of the Republic of Albania to ensure that the parliamentary elections to be held on July 3, 2005, are conducted in accordance with international standards for free and fair elections. This is an important piece of legislation that will notify the people of Albania that the United States is dedicated to safe, free, and open democracy in Albania and the region. It will let the people of Albania know that we are at their side as they strive for a more free and open society.

As the nation of Albania approaches its July 3rd parliamentary elections we must stand steadfast in our support of free, fair, and transparent elections. As a participating member of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and a signatory of the 1990 Copenhagen Document containing specific commitments relating to the conduct of elections, Albania must maintain its commitment to these democratic ideals. Indeed, the Copenhagen Document, which encourages transparency, balance, and impartiality in the election process, is so sound that it has become the standard by which elections are judged.

Although Albanian democracy has strengthened over the past several years, it has nonetheless failed to live up to the standards of the Copenhagen Document. Over the past 10 years, Albanian elections have not been as free, fair, and open as the Albanian people deserve. As nations around Europe and the world have made considerable strides towards democracy, meeting the standards in the Copenhagen Document for free and fair elections is absolutely essential to Albania's desired integration into Euro-Atlantic institutions, including membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, NATO. Additionally, transparent democratic elections will inexorably lead to a more free and open society and government able to combat Albania's problems with organized crime.

The Republic of Albania must demonstrate its willingness and preparedness to take the next steps towards strong and stable democracy. This can only be achieved when the people of Albania choose their own representatives in parliament in free and fair elections. The Albanian government, political parties, and politicians must conduct this election in adherence to the laws that regulate all free and fair elections; transparency, free press, and unfettered access to electoral procedures by international and domestic observers.

I commend all the Albanian political parties for their commitment to adhere to campaign and election laws. If Albania is to become an active member of both the European and Euro-Atlantic community it must conduct elections that meet international standards. Failure to meet these requirements could have disastrous effects. Europe and the United States must play an active role in helping Albania move towards stable, transparent, and free democracy. This legislation will take a great step towards that goal.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Con. Res. 155, urging Albania to hold its July 3 parliamentary elections in accordance with international standards. I would also like to thank the lead sponsor, Chris Smith, for his work on this legislation. These elections are not only important as Albania works to develop its democratic system, but they will set the tone for the Balkan nation in the months and years ahead.

The United States and Albania have strong ties that go well beyond government relations. For that reason, we believe it is very important to support the people of Albania and their right to choose their elected representatives freely and fairly.

In the 15 years since Albania's brutal communist dictatorship came to an end, the country has struggled in its transition. While some elections have been problematic, there have been improvements over time, and now the country has a real chance to achieve the same international election standards that the United States, Canada and all of Europe adopted in 1990. Between now and election day, the real issue is whether the authorities, political parties and other stakeholders have the will to abide by the laws, regulations and a code of conduct. The active U.S. congressional interest expressed in this resolution can encourage all involved to do the right thing.

A good election process will have enormous benefits for Albania. Domestically, it will enable the next government to take stronger measures to address the official corruption and combat the organized crime which together thwart stronger economic recovery. Internationally, it will enable Albania to take the next steps to joining NATO and the European Union. Supporting Albanian elections today will only strengthen our relations in the future.

I will be in Albania for the July 3rd elections and will lead a National Albanian American Council delegation which will monitor that the polling and counting will be done in accordance with international standards. This resolution will help make the case for a good election.

As the lead Democratic sponsor of this resolution, I urge my colleagues to support H. Con. Res. 155.

Mr. Speaker, due to a family medical emergency, I missed rollcall votes 308 through 325, which took place on Friday, Monday, and Tuesday--June 24, 27, and 28, 2005, respectively. Had I been present, I would have voted as follows:

Rollcall votes--308 (Price of Georgia Amendment): ``nay''; 309 (George Miller of California Amendment): ``yea''; 310 (Brown of Ohio Amendment): ``nay''; 311 (Filner of California Amendment): ``yea''; 312 (King of Iowa Amendment): ``yea''; 313 (Hefley of Colorado Amendment): ``yea''; 314 (Hinchey of New York Amendment): ``nay''; 315 (Hayworth of Arizona Amendment No. 14): ``nay''; 316 (Van Hollen of Maryland Amendment): ``yea''; 317 (Paul of Texas Amendment): ``yea''; 318 (DeLauro of Connecticut Amendment): ``nay''; 319 (Hinchey of New York Amendment for DeFazio of Oregon): ``yea''; 320 (Motion to Recommit H.R. 3010): ``yea''; 321 (Passage of H.R. 3010): ``nay''; 322 (Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree, as Amended, H. Res. 199): ``yea''; 323 (Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree, H. Con. Res. 155): ``yea''; 324 (Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended, H.R. 458): ``yea''; and 325 (Ordering the Previous Question, H. Res. 341): ``nay.''

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to enter this personal explanation into the Record at the appropriate location.