I
106TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. R. 1064
To authorize a coordinated program to promote the development of democracy
in Serbia and Montenegro.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
MARCH 10, 1999
Mr. SMITH of New Jersey (for himself, Mr. GILMAN, Mr. HOYER, Mr. POR-
TER, Mr. ENGEL, Mr. BURTON of Indiana, Ms. SLAUGHTER, Mr. ROHR-
ABACHER, and Mr. MORAN of Virginia) introduced the following bill;
which was referred to the Committee on International Relations
A BILL
To authorize a coordinated program to promote the
development of democracy in Serbia and Montenegro.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION. 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Serbia and Montenegro
Democracy Act of 1999’’.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress makes the following findings:
(1) In multi-party elections held in the Republic
of Serbia in 1990, 1992, 1996 and 1997, inter-
national observers found considerable evidence of
election fraud and the manipulation of state-run
media, allowing the ruling Socialist Party of Serbia
led by Slobodan Milosevic to maintain power.
(2) On many occasions, and specifically in
1991, 1996 and 1997, the Serbian authorities dem-
onstrated a clear willingness to intimidate and use
force against citizens of Serbia who were peacefully
exercising their rights by protesting publicly against
the undemocratic practices of the regime.
(3) Beginning in 1991, the Serbian Government
formed by the Socialist Party of Serbia sought to
enhance its power and counter democratic pressures
by fomenting extreme nationalism and instigating
conflict within the former Socialist Federal Republic
of Yugoslavia, which, by the time peace was restored
in 1995, resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thou-
sands, the torture and rape of tens of thousands and
the forced displacement of nearly 3,000,000 people.
(4) In 1992, the republics of Serbia and Mon-
tenegro asserted the establishment of a new ‘‘Fed-
eral Republic of Yugoslavia’’, the government and
institutions of which have been dominated by those
holding power in Serbia and their political allies in
Montenegro, enabling Serbian President Slobodan
Milosevic to become the President of the new Yugo-
slav state in 1997, when his final term as President
of Serbia ended.
(5) In 1997 and 1998, forces within the ruling
Democratic Socialist Party of Montenegro which
supported the building of democratic institutions
separated from those allied with the ruling party in
Serbia, cooperated with opposition parties, including
those representing minority communities, and suc-
ceeded, despite threats and intimidation on the part
of Serbian officials, in holding elections reflective of
the will of the citizens of Montenegro and bringing
increased openness and tolerance in Montenegrin so-
ciety.
(6) In 1998, conflict in the area resumed with
an assault by Yugoslav military and Serbian police
and security forces on innocent civilians in Kosovo
which have resulted in more than 1,000 people dead
or missing and the forced displacement of tens of
thousands before a tentative ceasefire was reached
which has been threatened by further atrocities in
1999.
(7) The ethnically Albanian majority of the
population of Kosovo has established its own politi-
cal, medical, education and media institutions in re-
action to the illegal revocation in 1990 of Kosovo’s
autonomy as a province in the former Socialist Fed-
eral Republic of Yugoslavia and the subsequent
years of repression of the people living in Kosovo.
(8) In 1998, new, draconian laws on informa-
tion and higher education placed further restrictions
on the independent media and academic freedom in
Serbia.
(9) The chronology of events in Serbia and
Montenegro since 1990 indicate a clear and close re-
lationship between the instigation of conflict and the
denial of democratic development.
SEC. 3. POLICY TOWARD SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO.
It is the policy of the United States to promote the
development of democracy in Serbia and Montenegro and
to support those who are committed to the building of
democratic institutions, defending human rights, promot-
ing rule of law, and fostering tolerance in society.
SEC. 4. ASSISTANCE TO SUPPORT DEMOCRATIC EFFORTS
IN SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO.
(a) ASSISTANCE.—In carrying out the Support for
East European Democracy (SEED) Act of 1989, the
President shall provide the following assistance to support
democratic efforts in Serbia and Montenegro (excluding
Kosovo):
(1) OPEN MEDIA.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—Assistance to improve
infrastructure and programming, to provide ad-
vice, technical support and education, and to
help provide legal protection.
(B) 
AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIA-
TIONS.—There is authorized to be appropriated
$10,000,000 for fiscal year 2000 to carry out
subparagraph (A).
(2) NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—Assistance to train, to
develop regional networks, to encourage multi-
ethnic focus on issues of common concern, and
to help provide legal protection.
(B) 
AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIA-
TIONS.—There is authorized to be appropriated
$5,000,000 for fiscal year 2000 to carry out
subparagraph (A).
(3) INDEPENDENT LABOR UNIONS.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—Assistance to promote
membership, to facilitate contacts and coopera-
tion with labor unions elsewhere in Europe, and
to help provide legal protection.
(B) 
AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIA-
TIONS.—There is authorized to be appropriated