[Congressional Bills 103th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 180 Introduced in House (IH)]

103d CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 180

Expressing the sense of the Congress with respect to the South Pacific 
                                region.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           November 15, 1993

 Mr. Ackerman (for himself, Mr. Faleomavaega, and Mr. Leach) submitted 
    the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the 
                      Committee on Foreign Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
Expressing the sense of the Congress with respect to the South Pacific 
                                region.

Whereas the United States has strong and enduring economic, political, and 
        strategic ties with the South Pacific region, which are integral to the 
        achievement of a New Pacific Community;
Whereas the countries of the region play a constructive international role, were 
        supportive of the United States throughout the Cold War and continue to 
        support its role in ensuring regional stability and security, and share 
        a commitment to democratic values, free-markets, and human rights;
Whereas the United States is geographically and historically a member of the 
        Pacific community and has unique relationships with, and 
        responsibilities to, its Pacific Island territories, freely associated 
        states, and former territories;
Whereas the United States has significant and expanding commercial interests in 
        the South Pacific and enjoys a substantial trade surplus with countries 
        of the region, and the promotion of commercial links between the United 
        States and countries of the region is welcomed as providing a necessary 
        foundation for future economic well-being;
Whereas the region's fisheries resources are of vital importance to the economic 
        well-being of Pacific Island countries and have provided lucrative 
        commercial opportunities for the United States fishing industry, and the 
        effective management of these resources and the continued functioning of 
        the South Pacific Fisheries Treaty are essential;
Whereas the United States has been welcomed as a member of South Pacific 
        regional organizations, including the South Pacific Commission and the 
        South Pacific Regional Environmental Program, and as a dialogue partner 
        of the South Pacific Forum;
Whereas environmental issues can bear directly on the economic and physical 
        security of countries in the South Pacific region, have the potential to 
        effect the well-being of United States citizens in the Pacific region, 
        and can only be dealt with effectively at the regional and global level;
Whereas peoples of the South Pacific have actively contributed to the 
        development of a peaceful international community through their 
        constructive participation in international forums, including the United 
        Nations and its peacekeeping operations, and through support for the 
        South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone, the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of 
        Nuclear Weapons, and the Chemical Weapons Convention;
Whereas United States leadership in extending its nuclear testing moratorium is 
        warmly welcomed by countries of the South Pacific, and countries of the 
        South Pacific have shown understanding for United States efforts to 
        dispose of its chemical weapons stockpile while emphasizing the 
        importance of the United States commitment to close the Johnston Atoll 
        Chemical Agent Destruction System when the current program of chemical 
        weapons and agent destruction is completed;
Whereas there has been only one Heads-of-Government summit involving the 
        President of the United States and Pacific Island leaders, and there is 
        considerable value in dialogue at a senior political level with all 
        countries of the region;
Whereas the United States has reduced its diplomatic presence in the South 
        Pacific to a minimum, and there are reports that the Agency for 
        International Development is considering closing posts in the region and 
        concerns that the current very modest program of United States foreign 
        assistance to Pacific Island countries may be reduced; and
Whereas the United States has an opportunity to bolster its links with the 
        Pacific Island countries through the negotiation of a Joint Declaration 
        of Cooperation: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That it is the sense of the Congress that--
            (1) it is in the national interest for the United States to 
        remain actively engaged in the South Pacific region as a means 
        of supporting the important United States commercial and 
        strategic interests, and to encourage the consolidation of 
        democratic values;
            (2) the United States should encourage economic, trade, and 
        investment relationships with the countries of the South 
        Pacific, in particular through the Joint Commercial Commission 
        and its working group, and through other Asia/Pacific regional 
        forums;
            (3) the United States should seek to maintain its 
        diplomatic presence, and its Agency for International 
        Development missions, in the South Pacific region;
            (4) notwithstanding current fiscal constraints, the 
        executive branch, particularly the Department of State, should 
        work actively with the Congress to at least maintain, and if 
        possible increase, the very modest levels of foreign assistance 
        provided to the region and to encourage the active 
        participation in the region of other international donors;
            (5) the United States has interests in preserving the 
        natural resources and biodiversity of the South Pacific region, 
        and is uniquely positioned to promote sustainable development 
        through active participation in the South Pacific Regional 
        Environmental Program and the United Nations Global Conference 
        for the Sustainable Development of Small Island States and 
        through implementation of the Biodiversity and Climate 
        Conventions;
            (6) the United States should cooperate closely with 
        regional governments to strengthen sustainable management 
        principles and practices as they apply to the region's 
        fisheries resources;
            (7) the United States should avail itself of the 
        opportunity for contact with leaders of all South Pacific 
        countries through regular Ministerial/Cabinet level meetings, 
        including at the South Pacific Forum dialogue, to ensure that 
        the views of regional governments are given consideration in 
        policy deliberations; and
            (8) the United States should take an active interest in the 
        proposed Joint Declaration of Cooperation between the United 
        States and certain Pacific Island governments as an opportunity 
        for the United States to renew its commitment to the region.

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