III 

111TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 673 

Expressing the sense of the Senate that it values the active participation 

of the Republic of Macedonia as the state partner of the Vermont 

National Guard over the past 15 years. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

SEPTEMBER 29, 2010 

Mr. LEAHY submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 

Committee on Foreign Relations 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing the sense of the Senate that it values the active 

participation of the Republic of Macedonia as the state 

partner of the Vermont National Guard over the past 

15 years. 

Whereas the National Guard State Partnership Program was 

created by the Department of the Army in 1993 to link 

foreign partner countries with segments of the National 

Guard to foster mutual interests and establish long-term 

relationships; 

Whereas in March 1995, after the signing of the Memorandum for Understanding in 1994, a Vermont State 

Partnership Program was established between the State 

of Vermont and the Republic of Macedonia; 


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•SRES 673 IS 

Whereas since 1995, Macedonia and Vermont have participated in more than 200 joint activities; 

Whereas more than 4,000 members of the Ministry of Defense and armed forces of Macedonia have received 

knowledge and training according to the standards, tactics, and strategies of the United States Armed Forces; 

Whereas the joint activities of the Vermont Macedonia state 

partnership have shown the military of Macedonia how 

the military of the United States operates and have prepared and trained soldiers for international engagements, 

civil-military operations, crisis management, economic development, higher education, and environmental policy; 

Whereas Macedonia has participated in NATO-led and international military missions in Afghanistan since August 

2002 and increased troop levels in 2010; 

Whereas the Government of Macedonia has made a substantial contribution of troops to the NATO International Security Assistance Force relative to the population size of 

the country; 

Whereas the Government of Macedonia participates in regional cooperation initiatives and provides assistance to 

neighboring countries; 

Whereas during the Kosovo crisis of 1999, territory in Macedonia served as a staging area and main corridor for 

logistical support to the NATO Kosovo Force (commonly 

referred to as ‘‘KFOR’’); 

Whereas the Government of Macedonia has led the KFOR 

Coordination Centre for logistical support in Skopje since 

2006; 

Whereas in the interest of a faithful partnership with the 

United States, the Government of Macedonia deployed 


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•SRES 673 IS 

troops to Iraq under the leadership of the Government of 

the United States until 2008; 

Whereas soldiers from Macedonia earned 120 medals awarded by the United States; 

Whereas in July 2006, the Government of Macedonia deployed a helicopter detachment unit and medical team to 

Bosnia and Herzegovina as part of Operation Althea led 

by the European Union, which continues today; and 

Whereas since April 2010, troops from Macedonia have deployed to Afghanistan and have been embedded in the 

86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the Vermont National Guard as a result of the longstanding military 

partnership and spirit of mutual confidence and cooperation between Macedonia and Vermont: Now, therefore, be 

it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) recognizes the cooperation between the 

3 State of Vermont and the Republic of Macedonia 

4 and the joint military partnership between the 

5 Vermont National Guard and the Army of the Re6 public of Macedonia for the past 15 years; 

7 (2) greatly appreciates these efforts by the Re8 public of Macedonia and congratulates the Govern9 ment and people of Macedonia on their commitment 

10 to and participation with the Government and people 

11 of the United Sates and other countries in advancing 

12 peace, democracy, stability, and mutual underVerDate Mar 15 2010 05:33 Oct 01, 2010 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\SR673.IS SR673

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1 standing among governments and people around the 

2 world; and 

3 (3) expresses appreciation for the joint endeav4 ors of the Governments of Macedonia and the 

5 United States in combating terrorist activities 

6 around the world. 

Æ 


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