III 
Calendar No. 234
108TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. CON. RES. 209
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 
JUNE 24, 2003
Received and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations 
JULY 25 (legislative day, JULY 21), 2003
Reported by Mr. LUGAR, with amendments, amendments to the preamble, and 
an amendment to the title 
[Omit the part struck through and insert the part printed in italic] 
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 
Commending the signing of the United States-Adriatic Char-
ter, a charter of partnership among the United States, 
Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia.
Whereas the United States has an enduring interest in the 
independence, territorial integrity, and security of Alba-
nia, Croatia, and The Former Yugoslav Republic of Mac-
edonia and supports their full integration in the commu-
nity of democratic Euro-Atlantic states; 
Whereas Albania, Croatia, and The Former Yugoslav Republic 
of Macedonia have taken clear and positive steps to ad-
vance their integration into Europe by establishing close 
cooperative relations among themselves and with their
•HCON 209 RS 
neighbors, as well as their promotion of regional coopera-
tion; 
Whereas Albania, Croatia, and The Former Yugoslav Republic 
of Macedonia have already contributed to European secu-
rity and to the peace and security of southeast Europe 
through the resolution of conflicts in the region and their 
regional cooperation in the Southeast Europe Defense 
Ministerial; 
Whereas on May 2, 2003, the United States-Adriatic Charter 
was signed in Tirana, Albania, by Secretary of State 
Colin Powell, Albanian Foreign Minister Ilir Meta, Cro-
atian Foreign Minister Tonino Picula, and Macedonian 
Foreign Minister Albania Foreign Minister Ilir Meta, 
Croatia Foreign Minister Tonino Picula, and The Former 
Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Foreign Minister Ilinka 
Mitreva; 
Whereas the Adriatic Charter affirms the commitment of Al-
bania, Croatia, and The Former Yugoslav Republic of 
Macedonia to the values and principles of the North At-
lantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and to joining the 
Alliance at the earliest possible time; 
Whereas Secretary of State Powell stated that the Adriatic 
Charter ‘‘reaffirms our partners’ dedication to work indi-
vidually, with each other, and with their neighbors to 
build a region of strong democracies powered by free 
market economies . . . [i]t underscores the importance we 
place on their eventual full integration into NATO and 
other European institutions . . . [a]nd most importantly, 
the Charter promises to strengthen the ties that bind the 
peoples of the region to the United States, to one an-
other, and to a common future within the Euro-Atlantic 
family’’; and
•HCON 209 RS 
Whereas 75 Albanian special forces troops were sent to Iraq 
as part of the coalition forces during Operation Iraqi 
Freedom, 29 Macedonian special forces troops were sent 
to Iraq as part of the postwar stabilization force, and Al-
bania, Croatia, and Macedonia 75 special forces troops of 
Albania were sent to Iraq as part of the coalition forces 
during Operation Iraqi Freedom, 29 special forces troops 
of The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia were sent 
to Iraq as part of the postwar stabilization force, and Al-
bania, Croatia, and The Former Yugoslav Republic of 
Macedonia all contributed to the stabilization forces in 
Afghanistan, as signs of their commitment to promote 
international freedom and security: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That Congress—
(1) strongly supports the United States-Adriatic 
Charter and commends Albania, Croatia, and The 
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia for their 
continued efforts to become full-fledged members of 
the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) 
and the European Union; 
(2) urges NATO to invite Albania, Croatia, and 
The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to join 
NATO as soon as each of these countries respec-
tively demonstrates the ability to assume the respon-
sibilities of NATO membership through the Member-
ship Action Plan; 
(3) welcomes and supports the aspirations of 
Albania, Croatia, and The Former Yugoslav Republic
•HCON 209 RS 
of Macedonia to join the European Union at the ear-
liest opportunity; 
(4) recognizes that Albania, Croatia, and The 
Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia are making 
important strides to bring their economic, military, 
and political institutions into conformance with the 
standards of NATO and other Euro-Atlantic institu-
tions; and 
(5) commends Secretary of State Powell for his 
personal support of the Adriatic Charter.
Amend the title so as to read: ‘‘A bill commending 
the signing of the United States-Adriatic Charter, a char-
ter of partnership among the United States, Albania, 
Croatia, and The Former Yugoslav Republic of Mac-
edonia.’’.
Calendar No. 234
108TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. CON. RES. 209
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 
Commending the signing of the United States-Adri-
atic Charter, a charter of partnership among the 
United States, Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia. 
JULY 25 (legislative day, JULY 21), 2003
Reported with amendments, amendments to the 
preamble, and an amendment to the title