IV

106TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION H. CON. RES. 96

Expressing the sense of the Congress that the President, working with the

other member nations of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization

(NATO), should use all available diplomatic means to negotiate a fair,

equitable, and peaceful settlement between warring factions in Yugoslavia

without the introduction of ground elements of the United States Armed

Forces.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

MAY 5, 1999

Mr. HAYES submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred

to the Committee on International Relations

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Expressing the sense of the Congress that the President,

working with the other member nations of the North

Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), should use all

available diplomatic means to negotiate a fair, equitable,

and peaceful settlement between warring factions in

Yugoslavia without the introduction of ground elements

of the United States Armed Forces.

Whereas the Congress supports the members of the United

States Armed Forces engaged in military operations

against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia;

Whereas the Congress and the people of the United States

deeply appreciate the sacrifice and patriotism dem-
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•HCON 96 IH

onstrated by members of the United States Armed

Forces;

Whereas the Congress desires a peaceful and autonomous

Kosovo;

Whereas the Congress wishes to focus its undivided attention

on the refugees and humanitarian relief;

Whereas the bombing by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has significantly reduced the military power

and equipment of Slobodan Milosevic;

Whereas the NATO alliance has no desire to inflict damage

on the civilian population of Yugoslavia;

Whereas the supplemental defense appropriation bill relating

to Kosovo that will be enacted shows the uncompromising

resolve of the United States, as a member of NATO, to

reject the totalitarian regime of Milosevic and others like

him;

Whereas the United States and NATO support freedom and

democracy around the world;

Whereas a bipartisan delegation from the House of Representatives conferred with members of the Russian

Duma in Vienna, Austria, to ameliorate diplomatic relations with Russia which have been strained as a result

of NATO’s actions in Yugoslavia;

Whereas the Congress extends its deepest gratitude to Staff

Sergeant Christopher J. Stone, Staff Sergeant Andrew A.

Ramirez, and Specialist Steven M. Gonzales for their

courageous service and sacrifice during their 32-day captivity in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, and commends the Reverend Jesse Jackson for successfully negotiating their release; and
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Whereas Slobodan Milosevic has demonstrated an increased

willingness to reengage in peace negotiations: Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate

2 concurring), That it is the sense of the Congress that—

3 (1) the President, working with the other mem4 ber nations of the North Atlantic Treaty Organiza5 tion (NATO), should use all available diplomatic

6 means to negotiate a fair, equitable, and peaceful

7 settlement between warring factions in Yugoslavia

8 without the introduction of ground elements of the

9 United States Armed Forces forces;

10 (2) a mutually accepted ceasefire agreement

11 should be reached while the negotiations described in

12 paragraph (1) are ongoing; and

13 (3) the settlement described in paragraph (1)

14 should include (but is not limited to)—

15 (A) the removal of Serbia military forces

16 and national police from Kosovo;

17 (B) the establishment of an autonomous

18 Kosovo;

19 (C) the unhindered return of any willing

20 refugee to Kosovo; and
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1 (D) the oversight by an international

2 peacekeeping commission of the matters speci3 fied in subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C).

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