[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 482 Introduced in House (IH)]







107th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. CON. RES. 482

Encouraging improved cooperation with the Russian Federation on energy 
              development issues, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 24, 2002

     Mr. Weldon of Pennsylvania submitted the following concurrent 
   resolution; which was referred to the Committee on International 
 Relations, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a 
 period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for 
consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the 
                          committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
Encouraging improved cooperation with the Russian Federation on energy 
              development issues, and for other purposes.

Whereas the Russian Federation, with its vast oil and gas resources, a growing 
        and diverse number of private sector companies, and a renewed commitment 
        to investment by international energy companies, offers a unique 
        opportunity to provide stability to an often volatile and insecure world 
        energy market;
Whereas on June 6, 2002, the President granted market economy status to the 
        Russian Federation;
Whereas the granting of market economy status should promote adoption of market 
        principles and policies by the Russian Federation and assist long-term 
        engagement and integration of Russia into the world economy;
Whereas a key component of new engagement is mutual efforts to bring greater 
        stability to world energy markets and to support sustained economic 
        growth in the Russian Federation and the United States;
Whereas, recognizing Russia's progress on religious freedom, human rights, and a 
        broad range of other mechanisms to address remaining concerns, the 
        President has requested that Congress terminate application to Russia of 
        chapter 1 of title IV of the Trade Act of 1974 (commonly referred to as 
        ``Jackson-Vanik'') and to authorize the extension of normal trade 
        relations to the products of Russia; and
Whereas both the Russian Federation and the United States can play a critical 
        role in supporting regional energy development and energy transportation 
        corridor projects: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That--
            (1) it is the sense of Congress that in proceeding with 
        this important energy dialogue, the Governments of the Russian 
        Federation and the United States should consult widely with the 
        governments of other independent states of the former Soviet 
        Union and with other interested parties to promote exchanges 
        and to seek support from the broadest cross section of business 
        and civil societies; and
            (2) Congress--
                    (A) is committed to terminating the application to 
                Russia of chapter 1 of title IV of the Trade Act of 
                1974 (commonly referred to as ``Jackson-Vanik'') and to 
                authorizing the extension of normal trade relations to 
                the products of Russia in an appropriate and timely 
                manner;
                    (B) supports the actions of the Government of the 
                Russian Federation and the Russian Duma to reform the 
                structure of the Russian energy sector to attract 
                international investment into the Russian energy 
                sectors;
                    (C) supports the actions of the Government of the 
                Russian Federation and the Russian Duma to permit full 
                implementation of energy projects on Sakhalin Island 
                and in the Timan-Pechora region, all of which offer 
                unique opportunities to increase world and United 
                States supplies of petroleum;
                    (D) encourages regulatory and investment framework 
                in the Russian Federation to expand Russia's oil and 
                gas export capacities;
                    (E) encourages Russia to work toward accession to 
                the World Trade Organization (WTO) in a manner that 
                promotes meaningful market access opportunities for 
                United States workers, businesses, and farmers; and
                    (F) supports continued high level and sustained 
                exchanges on energy development between the Governments 
                of the Russian Federation and the United States and 
                between businesses in the two countries.
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