IV
107TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. RES. 520
Congratulating Bosnia and Herzegovina on the 10th anniversary of its
independence.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
SEPTEMBER 10, 2002
Mr. GILMAN submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the
Committee on International Relations
RESOLUTION
Congratulating Bosnia and Herzegovina on the 10th
anniversary of its independence.
Whereas Bosnia and Herzegovina declared its independence
on March 1, 1992, was recognized by the United States
on April 6, 1992, and became a member of the United
Nations on May 25, 1992;
Whereas during the 10 years since the recognition, the people
of Bosnia and Herzegovina have made significant steps
to overcome the legacy of the radical political forces hos-
tile to coexistence of multiethnic society and persevered
in building a democratic society, based on the rule of law,
respect for human rights, and a free market economy, as
shown by the results of the democratic elections held in
November 2000;
•HRES 520 IH
Whereas the United States has supported the sovereignty,
legal continuity, and territorial integrity of Bosnia and
Herzegovina within its internationally recognized borders
and also reaffirms its support for the equality of the 3
constituent 
peoples 
and 
others 
in 
Bosnia 
and
Herzegovina as a united multiethnic country, according
to the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bos-
nia and Herzegovina and associated Annexes negotiated
in Dayton, Ohio, and signed in Paris on December 14,
1995 (commonly referred to as the ‘‘Dayton Peace Agree-
ment’’);
Whereas the people and the authorities of Bosnia and
Herzegovina share the democratic values of the inter-
national community and the responsibility to uphold
them, actively promoting democratic principles in inter-
national relations and in the functioning of international
organizations;
Whereas Bosnia and Herzegovina, cooperating on the basis of
partnership and solidarity, committed to the common val-
ues of security and democratic stability by declaring the
commencement of the process of joining the Partnership
for Peace program of the North Atlantic Treaty Organi-
zation (NATO);
Whereas Bosnia and Herzegovina is a reliable friend and ally
of the United States, actively contributing to the sta-
bilization of South Eastern Europe; and
Whereas Bosnia and Herzegovina immediately positioned
itself within the antiterrorism coalition of nations, shar-
ing the common interests and values of the free and
democratic world: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives—
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(1) commends Bosnia and Herzegovina for the
significant progress it has made during the past dec-
ade, the implementation of the Dayton Peace Agree-
ment and implementation of the Constituent Peo-
ples’ Decision of the Constitutional Court of Bosnia
and Herzegovina, and encourages its democratic ori-
entation and the further strengthening of respect for
human rights, the rule of law, and a free market
economy;
(2) supports the aspirations of Bosnia and
Herzegovina to become a member of the Partnership
for Peace, welcomes the commitment to Partnership
of Peace membership declared by the Presidency of
Bosnia and Herzegovina, and affirms the importance
of the earliest possible fulfillment of the Partnership
for Peace membership requirement of the creation of
a joint military command of the armed forces of
Bosnia and Herzegovina;
(3) encourages continuous contributions of Bos-
nia and Herzegovina toward (A) speeding up the re-
turn process, and (B) bringing peace, stability, and
prosperity to the region of South Eastern Europe,
including by intensifying its cooperation with the
International Criminal Tribunal for the former
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Yugoslavia, in particular with regard to surrendering
war crime indictees;
(4) reaffirms the importance for the future of
Bosnia and Herzegovina of its successful participa-
tion in the European integration process, welcomes
significant improvement of the overall mutual co-
operation among the successor states of the former
Yugoslavia and strengthening cooperation within the
region as a whole, which is important for long-last-
ing peace and stability in South Eastern Europe;
(5) encourages the strengthening of Bosnia and
Herzegovina state institutions, which will enhance
the rule of law and foster additional foreign direct
investment, thus advancing its economic recovery
and development; and
(6) recognizes the important role of the Bosnia
Herzegovinian-American community in the further
improving of bilateral relations between the United
States and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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