House Proceeding 05-12-09 on May 12th, 2009 :: 2:47:30 to 2:52:40
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2:47:20 to 2:47:40( Edit History Discussion )

Howard L. Berman: as amended. the speaker pro tempore: the clerk will report the title of the resolution. the clerk: house resolution 171, resolution expressing the sense of the house of representatives on the need for constitutional reform in bosnia and herzegovina and the importance of sustained united states engagement in partnership with the european union. the speaker pro tempore:

2:47:30 to 2:52:40( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Howard L. Berman

2:47:41 to 2:48:02( Edit History Discussion )

Howard L. Berman: pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from california, mr. berman, and the gentleman from texas, mr. poe, each will control 20 minutes. the chair recognizes the gentleman from california, mr. berman. mr. berman: yes, mr. speaker. i ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.

2:48:03 to 2:48:23( Edit History Discussion )

Howard L. Berman: the speaker pro tempore: without objection. mr. berman: mr. speaker, i rise in strong support of h.res. 171 which calls for constitutional reform in bosnia and herzegovina as well as su in partnership with the european union. i yield myself such time as i may consume.

2:48:24 to 2:48:44( Edit History Discussion )

Howard L. Berman: in the 13 years since the signing of the dayton peace accords brought an end to a brutal conflict, the people of bosnia and herzegovina have worked closely with the international community to make considerable progress in building a peaceful and democratic society that is built upon the rule of law, respect for human rights and a

2:48:45 to 2:49:06( Edit History Discussion )

Howard L. Berman: free market economy. within the last year of the country has taken important steps along the path to euro-atlantic integration, beginning in intensified dialogue with nato and signing a stabilization and association agreement with the europe uniunion. notwithstanding these notable milestones, there are troubling

2:49:07 to 2:49:28( Edit History Discussion )

Howard L. Berman: signs of backsliding as political rhetoric grows confrontational, reforms unravel and ethnic tensions increase. bosnia seemingly faces the prospect of stagnation at best and a return to violent conflict at worse. while bosnia's future clearly lies in the euro-atlantic

2:49:29 to 2:49:50( Edit History Discussion )

Howard L. Berman: community, the country must first develop an efficient and effective state with functioning institutions that are capable of making self-sustaining reforms and managing the responsibilities of e.u. and nato membership. h.res. 171 does not prescribe the types of constitutional reforms that are required. indeed, such decisions can only

2:49:51 to 2:50:11( Edit History Discussion )

Howard L. Berman: be made by the people of bosnia and herzegovina. however, the united states and the european union can help create conditions that are condusive to efforts by bosnian citizens to develop a functional political system. first, the peace implementation council should remain firm in

2:50:12 to 2:50:34( Edit History Discussion )

Howard L. Berman: its commitment to maintain the office of the high representative until bosnia has definitively met the five conditions and two principles. only then should the office be closed and responsibility transitioned to the e.u. special representative. the recent dialogue among some political leaders that led to

2:50:35 to 2:50:56( Edit History Discussion )

Howard L. Berman: the adoption of an agreement on the status of one district was a helpful development. hopefully similar progress can be made on state property and other issues. second, the european union should provide bosnia with a clear set of e.u. candidacy and these should include explicit and objective benchmarks

2:50:57 to 2:51:18( Edit History Discussion )

Howard L. Berman: regarding constitutional reforms that will increase the functionality of the bosnian state. the e.u. should also carefully reconsider its plans for their drawdown or redeployment of its 2,500 member european union force. as the continued presence of

2:51:19 to 2:51:39( Edit History Discussion )

Howard L. Berman: those troops detours -- deters violence with the psychological reassurance of security. and finally, there is a need for sustained high-level u.s. engagement with the e.u. on the development and implementation of common policies that will

2:51:40 to 2:52:01( Edit History Discussion )

Howard L. Berman: stabilize and strengthen and herzegovina. they will have an enjoy to the balkans. in addition to working directly with political leaders on the ground, this official could seek to develop a consensus among the e.u. and its member states about the way forward in southeastern europe. the visit by vice president

2:52:02 to 2:52:22( Edit History Discussion )

Howard L. Berman: biden to bosa, serbia and kosovo next week is an encouraging sign of renewed american interest in the balkans. as he and other seni officials in the obama administration were personally involved in efforts to establish peace in the balkans 13 years ago, they know rsthand the importance of preserving this hard one

2:52:23 to 2:52:40( Edit History Discussion )

Howard L. Berman: stability and the considerable cost of letting it slip away. although the united states and european union are consumed by other foreign policy priorities we must not lose sight of our balkans or waiver our