MPO Convention Resolutions

MPO urges NATO to admit the Republic of Macedonia to NATO as a member state in 2008

RESOLUTION

The duly elected delegates of the Macedonian Patriotic Organization of the United States and Canada (MPO) who met on September 1, 2007, in Dearborn, Michigan, for their 86th Annual Convention, unanimously voted to urge the member nations of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to admit the Republic of Macedonia to full membership in NATO at the earliest possible time; and hereby proclaim:

WHEREAS, The Republic of Macedonia has continued to make progress toward political, economic, defense, resource, security and legal reform goals, required as part of the Republic of Macedonia’s membership in NATO’s Membership Action Plan program and conducted peaceful parliamentary elections in 2006 in accordance with applicable international standards; and,

WHEREAS, the Republic of Macedonia’s relationship with NATO, as a long-time member of NATO’s Partnership for Peace, Membership Action Plan and South East Europe Initiative programs, has been one of utmost cooperation, demonstrated by the Republic of Macedonia’s provision of a primary staging area for NATO troop support, participation in military training exercises alongside NATO forces, shelter and protection of 350,000 refugees from Kosovo, and participation with all NATO-member states in the global fight against international terrorism; and,

WHEREAS, on April 9, 2007, the President of the United States signed into law Senate Bill 494, the “NATO Freedom Consolidation Act of 2007”, which reaffirms support for continued enlargement of the NATO, designates Albania, Croatia, Georgia, Macedonia and Ukraine as eligible to receive assistance under the NATO Participation Act of 1994 and authorizes Fiscal Year 2008 appropriations for certain military assistance for those countries; and,

WHEREAS, on June 12, 2006, NATO Secretary General, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer during a speech delivered in the Republic of Macedonia, commended the Republic of Macedonia for its implementation of the Ohrid Framework Agreement and judicial reforms and stated “Let there be no mistake – there is still work to do. But Macedonia is well on its way toward joining the NATO community and it will be a very welcome addition;” and,

WHEREAS, the admission of the Republic of Macedonia to NATO is essential for the peace, security and stability of the Republic of Macedonia and is of paramount importance for peace in the region and for ensuring the territorial integrity of the Republic of Macedonia; THEREFORE BE IT

RESOLVED, that the MPO urges NATO to admit the Republic of Macedonia to NATO as a member state in 2008.

Copies to:
Secretary-General of the United Nations, United Nations Security Council, Officials & Members of the European Union & European Communities, President of the United States of America, its Secretary of State, US Ambassadors to all appropriate countries and organizations, Prime Minister of Canada & its Minister of Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Canadian Ambassadors to all appropriate countries and organizations, Appropriate US Congressional Committees, Officials and media in the Republic of Macedonia