[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 529 Engrossed in House (EH)]
H. Res. 529
In the House of Representatives, U.S.,
December 14, 2005.
Whereas the United States recognized the Republic of Croatia on April 7, 1992,
acknowledging the decision of the people of Croatia to live in an
independent, democratic, and sovereign country;
Whereas since achieving their independence, the people of Croatia have built a
democratic society, based on the rule of law, respect for human rights,
and a free market economy;
Whereas Croatia is a functioning democracy, with stable institutions
guaranteeing the rule of law, human rights, and market economy;
Whereas Croatia has previously cooperated with the North Atlantic Treaty
Organization (NATO) by allowing NATO free access to its air space during
NATO's 1999 military action against Serbia;
Whereas the United States has shown support for Croatia in many ways since its
independence, including by providing Croatia with economic and military
assistance that has contributed significantly to the continued success;
Whereas Croatia is a reliable partner of the United States, actively
contributing to the stabilization of South Central Europe;
Whereas NATO's Membership Action Plan, which was launched in April 1999, is a
program of assistance that provides both goals and a roadmap for
countries aspiring to NATO membership;
Whereas Croatia was invited into the Membership Action Plan in May 2002 and has
made substantial progress in attaining the necessary level of reforms
required for receiving an invitation to start accession talks with NATO;
Whereas the United States, Croatia, Albania, and Macedonia are signatories to
the United States-Adriatic Charter, which promotes Euro-Atlantic
integration and commits the signatory nations to the values and
principles of NATO and to joining the Alliance at the earliest possible
time;
Whereas Croatia significantly improved its cooperation with the International
Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY);
Whereas on October 3, 2005, the European Union decided to open accession
negotiations with Croatia based on the assessment of its Council of
Ministers that Croatia met the political and economic criteria for
candidacy in the European Union, including that Croatia was fully
cooperating with the ICTY;
Whereas Croatia has sent troops to Afghanistan as part of the NATO-led
International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in support of the war
against terrorism and has endorsed and is participating in the
Proliferation Security Initiative with like-minded nations across the
world to prevent the flow of weapons of mass destruction, missile
systems, and related material; and
Whereas Croatia shares the common interests and values of the free and
democratic world: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives that--
(1) the Republic of Croatia has made significant progress since its
independence in strengthening its democratic institutions and respect
for human rights and the rule of law;
(2) Croatia should be commended for its progress in meeting the
political, economic, military, and other requirements of NATO's
Membership Action Plan, its contribution to the global war on terrorism,
and for its constructive participation in the United States-Adriatic
Charter;
(3) the Government of Croatia should be commended for its ongoing
cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former
Yugoslavia;
(4) Croatia would make a significant contribution to NATO; and
(5) with complete satisfaction of NATO guidelines and criteria for
membership, Croatia should be invited to be a full member of the North
Atlantic Treaty Organization at the earliest possible date.
Attest:
Clerk.