III

106TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION H. CON. RES. 83

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

APRIL 19, 1999

Received and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Expressing the sense of the Congress that the Government

of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and its President

Slobodan Milosevic release the three detained United

States servicemen and abide by the Geneva Conventions

regarding the treatment of both prisoners of war and

civilians.

Whereas United States Army Staff Sgt. Andrew A. Ramirez,

24, of Los Angeles; Staff Sgt. Christopher J. Stone, 25,

of Smiths Creek, Michigan and San Antonio Texas, and

Spc. Steven M. Gonzales, 21, of Huntsville, Texas were

captured on March 31, 1999, while patrolling the

Kumanovo area;
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Whereas these 3 honorable United States soldiers are now in

the custody of the Government of the Federal Republic

of Yugoslavia and its President Slobodan Milosevic;

Whereas the Geneva Conventions, the 1949 treaties setting

forth international requirements for the treatment of

both civilians and military personnel during armed conflicts, stipulates that prisoners of war must at all times

be humanely treated, provided any necessary medical assistance, protected against acts of violence or intimidation and against insults and public curiosity and evacuated from any area of danger;

Whereas the Third Geneva Convention also prohibits putting

prisoners of war on trial for engaging in ordinary acts of

warfare for which the capturing country’s own soldiers

would not be charged;

Whereas under the Geneva Conventions, the International

Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has the right to

nonsupervised visits of prisoners to ensure they are being

treated well;

Whereas the Yugoslav Government has as yet not responded

to the ICRC’s requests; and

Whereas sanctions can be applied to parties to the Geneva

Conventions for failing to abide by the conventions: Now,

therefore, be it

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate

2 concurring), That—

3 (1) the United States Government should com4 mend the 3 detained United States soldiers for their

5 patriotism, bravery, service, and duty to their coun6 try;
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1 (2) the United States Government should con2 tinue to forcefully press the Yugoslav Government

3 and its president Slobodan Milosevic for the uncon4 ditional release of the 3 detained United States serv5 icemen and, in the interim, to guarantee their health

6 and safety, and permit the International Committee

7 of the Red Cross to visit the servicemen and verify

8 their condition without supervision, and that all

9 other provisions of the Geneva Conventions be fully

10 respected;

11 (3) the United States Government should con12 demn any move on the part of the Government of

13 the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to put the three

14 detained United States servicemen on trial or sub15 ject them to public display; and

16 (4) the United States Government should hold

17 the Government of the Federal Republic of Yugo18 slavia and its President Slobodan Milosevic directly

19 responsible for the welfare of the 3 detained United

20 States servicemen.

Passed the House of Representatives April 15, 1999.

Attest: JEFF TRANDAHL,

Clerk.