H. Res. 451
In the House of Representatives, U.S.,
October 10, 2000.
Whereas on June 10, 1999, the North Atlantic Treaty Orga-
nization (NATO) military air operation in the former
Yugoslavia victoriously concluded with the withdrawal of
all Serbian police, paramilitary, and military forces from
Kosova;
Whereas after the NATO victory, the international commu-
nity mobilized assistance that helped feed and house
more than 1,000,000 Kosova refugees before the first
post-war winter;
Whereas nearly 1,000,000 refugees and hundreds of thou-
sands of internally displaced persons attempted to return
to their homes in Kosova in the belief that a peaceful,
stable, and just society would be created through their
diligent efforts, supported by the international commu-
nity;
Whereas United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244
(June 10, 1999) established the United Nations Mission
in Kosovo (UNMIK) as the sole administration of the
province until such time as its political status is decided;
Whereas some 2,000 citizens were illegally detained and kid-
napped to Serbia by Serbian forces as they withdrew
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from Kosova in violation of the Geneva Conventions and
international humanitarian law;
Whereas an additional 5,000 Kosova citizens are believed to
be detained in Serbian prisons;
Whereas the international mission in Kosova successfully ne-
gotiated an agreement with the Kosovo Liberation Army
(KLA) to disband and publicly hand over its weapons;
Whereas hundreds of Kosova Albanian citizens have been pre-
vented from returning to their homes in the divided city
of Mitrovice by Serb Kosova citizens who are believed to
be assisted by Serb paramilitaries who have illegally re-
entered Kosova;
Whereas although the initiation of the recent operation be-
tween the NATO-led peacekeeping force in Kosova
(KFOR) and UNMIK to confirm international authority
throughout northern Kosova is welcomed, KFOR and
UNMIK must fully implement their plan and take appro-
priate action to ensure that all residents are able to re-
turn to their homes;
Whereas the United Nations and the Organization for Secu-
rity and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) have set the
date for local municipal elections in Kosova for October
28, 2000;
Whereas the assertion of authority over the Trepca mining
complex by UNMIK is welcomed and an assessment of
its environmental hazards and financial viability should
proceed as quickly as possible in order to maximize em-
ployment for Kosovar citizens;
Whereas although daily life in Kosova in the summer of 2000
is significantly improved in comparison to the violence,
devastation, and chaos that plagued the region during
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armed conflict in 1999, more must be done to develop a
self-sustaining economy that discourages the rise of
criminal elements;
Whereas, in view of the disproportionate share of the military
costs borne by the United States during the NATO oper-
ation, the European Union has agreed that it will under-
take the major share of the costs for economic recon-
struction in Kosova;
Whereas the European Commission and the World Bank
have estimated the costs for the reconstruction of Kosova
over the next 4 to 5 years at $2,300,000,000, with nearly
half that amount available to be spent by the end of
2001; and
Whereas the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Re-
lated Programs Appropriations Act, 2000 (as enacted by
section 1000(a)(2) of Public Law 106–113) capped
United States pledges of assistance for Kosova at the
subsequent Kosova donors conference at 15 percent of
the total resources pledged by all donors: Now, therefore,
be it
Resolved, That—
(1) the European Union should continue to bear the
primary responsibility and costs for the economic recon-
struction of Kosova, and take all necessary steps to en-
sure that its future budgets provide the required re-
sources in a timely fashion;
(2) the administration of all baseline services such
as police, sanitation, water, telecommunications, and
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electrical supply should be put into the hands of the peo-
ple of Kosova at the earliest possible date;
(3) the strategy for economic reconstruction in
Kosova should be focused on utilizing private investment
and empowerment of the people of Kosova to take
charge of their livelihoods;
(4) the United States Government should make it
a priority to promote noncorrupt government and busi-
ness practices in Kosova by providing judicial training
and technical advice and assistance to police, border po-
lice, and customs officers;
(5) the United Nations Security Council should de-
mand the immediate and unconditional return of all
Kosova prisoners from Serbia;
(6) 
the 
international 
peacekeeping 
force 
in
Mitrovice should take immediate measures to ensure
that all the residents are able to return in security to
their homes;
(7) all the citizens of Kosova should avail them-
selves of the opportunity to democratically express their
political preferences by participating in the elections on
October 28, 2000;
(8) the resolve of the international community to
work towards lasting peace, stability, and justice in
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Kosova will not be deterred by Slobodan Milosevic’s
provocations within the region; and
(9) all citizens of Kosova should adhere to the prin-
ciples enunciated by community leaders at the Airlie
House declaration of July 23, 2000, where all parties
agreed to a rigorous Campaign Against Violence, rep-
resentation of all citizens in municipal councils, surren-
dering of illegal weapons, a commitment to counter
Slobodan Milosevic’s influence in Kosova, and to dissolve
any other illegitimate governing and security structures.
Attest:
Clerk.