- Published: 13.11.2003.
US Senate Committee for Foreign Relations adopted the Resolution 237...
On 6 November, US Senate Committee for Foreign Relations adopted the Resolution 237 welcoming the public apologies issued by the President of Serbia and Montenegro and the President of the Republic of Croatia during the visit of the Croatian President Stjepan Mesić to Belgrade on 10 September 2003.
The Resolution was proposed by Senators Liebermann, McCain and Biden and it was adopted unanimously. Senator Biden pointed out that the goal of this resolution was that both states be recognised, that they receive equal support by America as other new NATO Members and that their position to approaching to NATO and the European Union is to be strengthened.
The Resolution 237 welcomes mutual apologies for “crimes committed by citizens of both countries over citizens of other country” and encourages other leaders in the region to “perform similar concrete acts of reconciliation”.
Further, the Senate welcomes public apologies and commends initiatives and personal courage; it recognises the importance of such apologies for the process of reconciliation in the SEE; it notes public support of the region, invites regional Governments to continue with their efforts in encouraging and strengthening conciliation; emphasises the importance of resolving post-conflict issues - including ensuring the right to refugees and displaced persons to return to their homes and bringing in of persons indicted for war crimes, by cooperating with the ICTY