Expressing strong support for Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia to be extended invitations for membership to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization at the April 2008 Bucharest Summit, and for other purposes.

Whereas the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) will hold a Heads of State and Government summit at Bucharest, Romania, in April 2008;

Whereas NATO has successfully defended the territories and interests of its members for more than 50 years and contributed to the spread of freedom, democracy, stability, and peace throughout Europe;

Whereas Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia have been preparing for NATO membership for more than 8 years since the launch of the Membership Action Plan and are undergoing a historic process of democratic and free market transformation after emerging from decades of occupation;

Whereas Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia have made important progress toward establishing civilian control of their militaries and demonstrating their ability to operate with the military forces of NATO nations at Alliance standards;

Whereas Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia continue to make important contributions to the International Security Assistance Force, mandated by the United Nations and operated under NATO leadership, which assists the Government of Afghanistan in extending and exercising its authority and influence throughout Afghanistan to create the conditions for stabilization and reconstruction;

Whereas Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia have made important improvements in their democratic processes, including—

Whereas Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia can play important roles in NATO activities in southeastern Europe through their unique geostrategic position and by deterring and disrupting efforts by any party to destabilize the region through violence;

Whereas NATO conducted military operations against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to further the objective of a lasting peace in Kosova;

Whereas the United States has diplomatically recognized the independence of Kosova and should support the integration of Kosova into international and Euro-Atlantic institutions;

Whereas lasting stability and security in southeastern Europe requires the military, economic, and political integration of emerging democracies into existing European structures;

Whereas Article 10 of the North Atlantic Treaty, signed in Washington, DC, on April 4, 1949, states: any other European state in a position to further the principles of this Treaty and to contribute to the security of the North Atlantic area may be granted NATO membership; and

Whereas the Riga Summit Declaration, issued by NATO in November 2006, reaffirms that NATO remains open to new European members: Now, therefore, be it