IV
106TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. CON. RES. 21
Recommending the integration of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia into the
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
FEBRUARY 2, 1999
Mr. SHIMKUS (for himself, Mr. KUCINICH, Mr. PALLONE, Mr. PASCRELL, Mr.
KNOLLENBERG, Mr. COX of California, and Mrs. JONES of Ohio) submit-
ted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Com-
mittee on International Relations
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Recommending the integration of Lithuania, Latvia, and Es-
tonia into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization
(NATO).
Whereas the Baltic countries of Lithuania, Latvia, and Esto-
nia are undergoing a historic process of democratic and
free market transformation after emerging from decades
of brutal Soviet occupation;
Whereas each of these Baltic countries has conducted peace-
ful transfers of political power—in Lithuania since 1990
and in Latvia and Estonia since 1991;
Whereas each of these Baltic countries has been exemplary
and consistent in its respect for human rights and civil
liberties;
•HCON 21 IH
Whereas the governments of these Baltic countries have made
consistent progress toward establishing civilian control of
their militaries through active participation in the Part-
nership for Peace program and North Atlantic Treaty
Organization (NATO) peace support operations;
Whereas Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia are participating in
the NATO-led multinational military force in the Repub-
lic of Bosnia and Herzegovina;
Whereas Lithuania is consistently increasing its defense
budget allocation and recently adopted a law providing
that allocations for defense will be at least 2 percent of
its GDP by 2001;
Whereas Latvia and Estonia are also consistently increasing
their defense budget allocations in accordance with
NATO requirements;
Whereas each of these Baltic countries has clearly dem-
onstrated its ability to operate with the military forces of
NATO nations and under NATO standards;
Whereas former Secretary of Defense Perry stipulated five
generalized standards for entrance into NATO: support
for democracy, including toleration of ethnic diversity and
respect for human rights; building a free market econ-
omy; civilian control of the military; promotion of good
neighborly relations; and development of military inter-
operability with NATO; and
Whereas each of these Baltic countries has satisfied these
standards for entrance into NATO: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that—
•HCON 21 IH
(1) Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia are to be
commended for their progress toward political and
economic liberty and meeting the guidelines for pro-
spective members of the North Atlantic Treaty Or-
ganization (NATO) set out in chapter 5 of the Sep-
tember 1995 Study on NATO Enlargement;
(2) Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia would make
an outstanding contribution toward furthering the
goals of NATO should they become members;
(3) extension of full NATO membership to
these Baltic countries would contribute to stability,
freedom, and peace in the Baltic region and Europe
as a whole; and
(4) with complete satisfaction of NATO guide-
lines and criteria for membership, Lithuania, Latvia,
and Estonia should be invited to become full mem-
bers of NATO.
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