IV

107TH CONGRESS

2D SESSION H. RES. 454

Recognizing the 10th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of

Croatia.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

JUNE 20, 2002

Mr. RADANOVICH (for himself and Mr. HINCHEY) submitted the following

resolution; which was referred to the Committee on International Relations

RESOLUTION

Recognizing the 10th anniversary of the independence of

the Republic of Croatia.

Whereas the United States recognized the Republic of Croatia on April 7, 1992, acknowledging the decision of the

Croatian people to live in an independent, democratic,

and sovereign country;

Whereas, during the 10 years since the recognition, the people of Croatia have persevered in building a democratic

society, based on the rule of law, respect for human

rights, and a free market economy;

Whereas the people and Government of Croatia share the

democratic values of the international community and the

responsibility to uphold them, actively promoting democratic values in international organizations;
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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 Croatia, cooperating on the basis of partnership and

solidarity, participates in the Vilnius Group, which is

committed to the common values of security and democratic stability through future North Atlantic Treaty Organization membership;

Whereas the United States has shown support for Croatia in

many ways over the past 10 years, including by providing

economic and military assistance that has contributed

significantly to the continued success of Croatia, which is

now a cornerstone democracy in South Central Europe;

Whereas Croatia is a reliable friend and ally of the United

States, actively contributing to the stabilization of South

Central Europe;

Whereas Croatia immediately positioned itself within the

antiterrorism coalition of nations, having, among other

things, assisted United States intelligence agencies in apprehending Al Qaeda members in Bosnia and

Herzegovina; and

Whereas Croatia shares the common interest and values of

the free and democratic world: Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives—

2 (1) commends the Republic of Croatia for the

3 significant progress it has made during the past dec4 ade, and encourages its democratic orientation and

5 further strengthening of respect for human rights,

6 the rule of law, and the free market;
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1 (2) supports the aspirations of Croatia to be2 come a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Orga3 nization (NATO), welcomes its commitment to the

4 reforms required for NATO membership, acknowl5 edges the importance of its continued commitment

6 to those reforms, and congratulates it on its accept7 ance into the Membership Action Plan at the NATO

8 Ministerial in Reykjavik, Iceland;

9 (3) encourages Croatia’s continued contribu10 tions in bringing peace, stability, and prosperity to

11 the region of South Central Europe, including con12 tinuing its cooperation with the International Crimi13 nal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia; and

14 (4) recognizes the important role of the Cro15 atian-American community in supporting the

16 strengthening of bilateral relations between the

17 United States and Croatia.

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