IV

106TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION H. CON. RES. 21

Recommending the integration of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia into the

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

FEBRUARY 2, 1999

Mr. SHIMKUS (for himself, Mr. KUCINICH, Mr. PALLONE, Mr. PASCRELL, Mr.

KNOLLENBERG, Mr. COX of California, and Mrs. JONES of Ohio) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on International Relations

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Recommending the integration of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization

(NATO).

Whereas the Baltic countries of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia are undergoing a historic process of democratic and

free market transformation after emerging from decades

of brutal Soviet occupation;

Whereas each of these Baltic countries has conducted peaceful transfers of political power—in Lithuania since 1990

and in Latvia and Estonia since 1991;

Whereas each of these Baltic countries has been exemplary

and consistent in its respect for human rights and civil

liberties;
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Whereas the governments of these Baltic countries have made

consistent progress toward establishing civilian control of

their militaries through active participation in the Partnership for Peace program and North Atlantic Treaty

Organization (NATO) peace support operations;

Whereas Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia are participating in

the NATO-led multinational military force in the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina;

Whereas Lithuania is consistently increasing its defense

budget allocation and recently adopted a law providing

that allocations for defense will be at least 2 percent of

its GDP by 2001;

Whereas Latvia and Estonia are also consistently increasing

their defense budget allocations in accordance with

NATO requirements;

Whereas each of these Baltic countries has clearly demonstrated its ability to operate with the military forces of

NATO nations and under NATO standards;

Whereas former Secretary of Defense Perry stipulated five

generalized standards for entrance into NATO: support

for democracy, including toleration of ethnic diversity and

respect for human rights; building a free market economy; civilian control of the military; promotion of good

neighborly relations; and development of military interoperability with NATO; and

Whereas each of these Baltic countries has satisfied these

standards for entrance into NATO: Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate

2 concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that—
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1 (1) Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia are to be

2 commended for their progress toward political and

3 economic liberty and meeting the guidelines for pro4 spective members of the North Atlantic Treaty Or5 ganization (NATO) set out in chapter 5 of the Sep6 tember 1995 Study on NATO Enlargement;

7 (2) Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia would make

8 an outstanding contribution toward furthering the

9 goals of NATO should they become members;

10 (3) extension of full NATO membership to

11 these Baltic countries would contribute to stability,

12 freedom, and peace in the Baltic region and Europe

13 as a whole; and

14 (4) with complete satisfaction of NATO guide15 lines and criteria for membership, Lithuania, Latvia,

16 and Estonia should be invited to become full mem17 bers of NATO.

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