[Congressional Bills 105th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 172 Referred in Senate (RFS)]







105th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 172




_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           November 13, 1997

      Received and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
   Expressing the sense of Congress in support of efforts to foster 
friendship and cooperation between the United States and Mongolia, and 
                          for other purposes.

Whereas in 1990, Mongolia renounced the Communist form of government and 
        peacefully adopted a series of changes that linked economic development 
        with democratic political reforms;
Whereas the Mongolian people have held 2 presidential elections and 3 
        parliamentary elections since 1990, all fea-
        turing vigorous campaigns by candidates from multiple political 
        parties;
Whereas these elections have been free from violence, voter intimidation, and 
        ballot irregularities, and the peaceful transfer of power from one 
        Mongolian government to another has been successfully completed, 
        demonstrating Mongolia's commitment to peace, stability, and the rule of 
        law;
Whereas every Mongolian government since the end of communism has dedicated 
        itself to promoting and protecting individual freedoms, the rule of law, 
        respect for human rights, freedom of the press, and the principle of 
        self-government, demonstrating that Mongolia is consolidating democratic 
        gains and moving to institutionalize democratic processes;
Whereas Mongolia stands apart as one of the few countries in Asia that is truly 
        a fully functioning democracy; its efforts to promote economic 
        development through free market economic policies, while also promoting 
        human rights and individual liberties, building democratic institutions, 
        and protecting the environment, serve as a beacon to freethinking people 
        throughout the region and the world;
Whereas Mongolia's commitment to democracy makes it a critical element in 
        efforts to foster and maintain regional stability throughout central 
        Asia;
Whereas Mongolia has some of the most pristine environments in the world, which 
        provide habitats to plant and animal species that have been lost 
        elsewhere, and has shown a strong desire to protect its environment 
        through the Biodiversity Conservation Action Plan while moving forward 
        with economic development, thus serving as a model for developing 
        nations in the region and throughout the world;
Whereas Mongolia has established civilian control of the military--a hallmark of 
        democratic nations--and is now working with the Mongolian parliamentary 
        and military leaders, through the United States International Military 
        Education and Training program, to further develop oversight of the 
        military;
Whereas Mongolia is seeking to develop political and military relationships with 
        neighboring countries as a means of enhancing regional stability; and
Whereas Mongolia has demonstrated a strong commitment to the same ideals that 
        the United States stands for as a nation, and has indicated a strong 
        desire to deepen and strengthen its relationship with the United States: 
        Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That--
            (1) the Congress--
                    (A) supports the efforts of the Mongolian 
                parliament to establish ``United States-Mongolian 
                Friendship Day'';
                    (B) strongly supports efforts by the United States 
                and Mongolia to use the resources of their respective 
                countries to strengthen political, economic, 
                educational, and cultural ties between the 2 countries;
                    (C) confirms the support of the United States for 
                an independent, sovereign, secure, and democratic 
                Mongolia;
                    (D) applauds and encourages Mongolia's simultaneous 
                efforts to develop its democratic and free market 
                institutions;
                    (E) commends Mongolia for its foresight in 
                environmental protection through the Biodiversity 
                Conservation Action Plan and encourages Mongolia to 
                obtain the goals illustrated in this plan;
                    (F) encourages Mongolia's efforts toward economic 
                development that is compatible with environmental 
                protection and supports an exchange of ideas and 
                information between Mongolian and United States 
                scientists;
                    (G) commends Mongolia's efforts to strengthen 
                civilian control, through parliamentary oversight, over 
                the military; and
                    (H) supports future contacts between the United 
                States and Mongolia in such a manner as will benefit 
                the parliamentary, judicial, and political institutions 
                of Mongolia, particularly through the creation of an 
                interparliamentary exchange between the Congress of the 
                United States and the Mongolian parliament; and
            (2) it is the sense of the Congress that the President--
                    (A) should, both through the vote of the United 
                States in international financial institutions and in 
                the administration of the bilateral assistance programs 
                of the United States, such as the Central Asian 
                Enterprise Fund, support Mongolia in its efforts to 
                expand economic opportunity through free market 
                structures and policies;
                    (B) should assist Mongolia in its efforts to 
                integrate itself into international economic 
                structures, such as the World Trade Organization; and
                    (C) should promote efforts to increase commercial 
                investment in Mongolia by United States businesses and 
                should promote policies which will increase economic 
                cooperation and development between the United States 
                and Mongolia.

            Passed the House of Representatives November 13, 1997.

            Attest:

                                                ROBIN H. CARLE,

                                                                 Clerk.