[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 9 Introduced in House (IH)]






108th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 9

Urging the President to negotiate a new base rights agreement with the 
 Government of the Republic of Panama in order for United States Armed 
  Forces to be stationed in Panama for the purposes of defending the 
                             Panama Canal.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            January 8, 2003

Mr. Goode (for himself, Mr. Bachus, Mrs. Jo Ann Davis of Virginia, Mr. 
   Jones of North Carolina, Mr. Lewis of Kentucky, and Mrs. Myrick) 
 submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to 
   the Committee on International Relations, and in addition to the 
Committee on Armed Services, 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


 
Urging the President to negotiate a new base rights agreement with the 
 Government of the Republic of Panama in order for United States Armed 
  Forces to be stationed in Panama for the purposes of defending the 
                             Panama Canal.

Whereas the Panama Canal remains a vital economic and strategic asset to the 
        United States, its allies, and the world;
Whereas the United States has maintained a military presence in the Republic of 
        Panama since Panama gained its independence in 1903, ensuring the 
        protection of the Canal and its unfettered operations;
Whereas the United States Armed Forces have depended upon the Panama Canal for 
        rapid transit in times of global conflict, including during World War 
        II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the 
        Persian Gulf War;
Whereas the 1977 Treaty Concerning the Permanent Neutrality and Operation of the 
        Panama Canal provides that Panama and the United States have the joint 
        responsibility to ensure that the Panama Canal will remain open and 
        secure, and provides that each signatory, in accordance with their 
        constitutional processes, shall defend the Canal against any threat to 
        its neutrality and shall have the right to act against threats against 
        the peaceful transit of vessels through the Canal;
Whereas the Government of Panama, in the bilateral Protocol of Exchange of 
        instruments of ratification, agreed to consider negotiating future 
        arrangements or agreements to maintain military forces necessary to 
        fulfill the responsibility of both signatories to maintain the 
        neutrality of the Canal;
Whereas the common interests of Panama and the United States have produced close 
        relations between the two nations and a shared interest in protecting 
        the Canal and its operations;
Whereas the attacks against the United States that occurred on September 11, 
        2001, have called for increased security at all key economic and 
        strategic locations in the United States and abroad; and
Whereas the Panama Canal will continue to serve as a vital link in our military 
        efforts to combat international terrorism and therefore, must remain 
        safe and secure: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That it is the sense of Congress that--
            (1) the President should negotiate a new base rights 
        agreement with the Government of the Republic of Panama--
                    (A) to permit stationing of United States Armed 
                Forces in Panama; and
                    (B) to ensure that the Panama Canal remains open, 
                secure, and neutral, consistent with the Panama Canal 
                Treaty, the Treaty Concerning the Permanent Neutrality 
                and Operation of the Panama Canal, and the resolutions 
                of ratification thereto; and
            (2) the President should ensure that United States military 
        facilities which could be utilized for stationing of United 
        States Armed Forces should be fully maintained and secured if 
        the Government of Panama is willing to enter into good faith 
        negotiations for a continued United States military presence in 
        Panama.
                                 <all>