```

[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 454 Introduced in House (IH)]

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;
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
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) commends the Republic of Croatia for the significant 
        progress it has made during the past decade, and encourages its 
        democratic orientation and further strengthening of respect for 
        human rights, the rule of law, and the free market;
            (2) supports the aspirations of Croatia to become a member 
        of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), welcomes its 
        commitment to the reforms required for NATO membership, 
        acknowledges the importance of its continued commitment to 
        those reforms, and congratulates it on its acceptance into the 
        Membership Action Plan at the NATO Ministerial in Reykjavik, 
        Iceland;
            (3) encourages Croatia's continued contributions in 
        bringing peace, stability, and prosperity to the region of 
        South Central Europe, including continuing its cooperation with 
        the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia; 
        and
            (4) recognizes the important role of the Croatian-American 
        community in supporting the strengthening of bilateral 
        relations between the United States and Croatia.
                                 <all>
```