[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 145 (Monday, September 18, 1995)]
[House]
[Pages H9040-H9041]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 CONGRATULATING THE PEOPLE OF MONGOLIA

  Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 158) congratulating the people of Mongolia on 
the 5th Anniversary of the first democratic multiparty elections held 
in Mongolia on July 29, 1990, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 158

       Whereas in 1990 Mongolia ended nearly 7 decades of Soviet 
     domination and single party Communist rule;
       Whereas the 1992 Mongolian constitution established 
     Mongolia as an independent and sovereign republic and 
     guaranteed fundamental human rights;
       Whereas the people of Mongolia enjoyed their first 
     multiparty democratic elections on July 29, 1990, and their 
     first direct presidential election on June 6, 1993;
       Whereas the Department of State's 1994 Country Report on 
     Human Rights practices commended Mongolia for ``steady--if 
     sometimes uneven--progress in its transition from a highly 
     centralized Communist-led state toward a full-fledged 
     multiparty democracy'';
       Whereas Mongolia continues its efforts to develop a market 
     economy;
       Whereas the United States has sought to assist Mongolia's 
     movement toward democracy and market-oriented reforms by 
     granting most-favored-nation status and providing insurance 
     by the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, supporting 
     Mongolia in international assistance organizations, and 
     providing $35,000,000 in bilateral assistance; and
       Whereas United States-funded programs of nongovernment 
     organizations, such as the National Endowment for Democracy 
     and the Asia Foundation, have helped build democracy in 
     Mongolia: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) commends Mongolia for courageous efforts to transform 
     itself from a single-party state to a multiparty state and 
     from a controlled to a free market economy;
       (2) congratulates Mongolia for the swift and peaceful 
     changes that have taken place since the appearance of the 
     internal reform movement in December 1989;
       (3) cites for particular praise Mongolia's first multiparty 
     democratic elections on July 29, 1990, and first direct 
     presidential election on June 6, 1993;
       (4) urges the Government of Mongolia to continue to 
     strengthen and deepen democratic reform and human rights, 
     including the full protection of religious freedom and other 
     civil liberties, in order to enhance representative and 
     accountable government;
       (5) commends the parallel movement in Mongolia toward a 
     free market economy through economic reforms;
       (6) notes that the best hope for accelerated economic 
     growth is to attract more foreign investment by further 
     liberalizing the economy and expanding trade with 
     nontraditional partners, including the United States; and
       (7) pledges its continued support for democracy, human 
     rights, and the development of a free market in Mongolia.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Nebraska [Mr. Bereuter] will be recognized for 20 minutes, and the 
gentleman from Maryland [Mr. Wynn] will be recognized for 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Nebraska [Mr. Bereuter].
  (Mr. BEREUTER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, the resolution before us today has one simple 
objective--to commend the people of Mongolia for the remarkable 
progress that country has made since 1990. Mongolia has 

[[Page H 9041]]
made great strides from a one-party Communist country with a command 
economy to the multiparty free market democracy. In the last 5 years, 
Mongolia has also freed itself from Soviet domination. Within a year 
from the fall of the Berlin Wall, the popularly elected Mongolian 
legislature--whose election we are commemorating in this resolution--
enacted a new constitution which declared Mongolia an independent, 
sovereign republic with guaranteed civil rights and freedoms. These 
changes were not only dramatic in scope and speed, they were also 
accomplished without firing a shot and with little concrete support 
from the outside.
  These accomplishments are worthy of congressional commendation. That 
is why we are here today.
  The political changes of 1990-91 also marked the beginning of 
Mongolia's efforts to develop a market economy. Mongolia continues to 
press ahead with economic reform, including privatization of the 
economy, price deregulation, and the establishment of a single exchange 
rate.
  More needs to be done to consolidate these reforms. The best hope for 
accelerated growth in Mongolia is to attract foreign investment, 
further liberalize the economy, and expand trade with nontraditional 
partners.
  The United States has sought to assist Mongolia's movement toward 
democracy and market-oriented reforms. The First Lady, on her recent 
visit to Mongolia, announced a $4.5 million aid package for that 
country. We accorded Mongolia most favored nation trading status. We 
have concluded a bilateral tax treaty and an Overseas Private 
Investment Corporation agreement. We have supported Mongolia's entry 
into the IMF, the World Bank, and the Asian Development Bank.
  In short, Mongolia represents a good example of the universality of 
civil and political rights and provides evidence that political freedom 
and economic development are not mutually exclusive.
  Mr. Speaker, this Member would thank the chairman of the 
International Relations Committee, the distinguished gentleman from New 
York [Mr. Gilman], for his assistance in moving House Resolution 158.
  This Member would also thank the distinguished gentleman from 
California, the ranking Democrat on the Asia and Pacific Subcommittee, 
Mr. Berman, and the distinguished gentleman from Indiana, Mr. Hamilton, 
for their help and support in moving this resolution forward. With 
their help, the committee has crafted a truly bipartisan message of 
support for the Mongolian people.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge passage of House Resolution 158.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  (Mr. WYNN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. WYNN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I strongly support House Resolution 158, as amended.
  After nearly 70 years of one-party Communist rule, the Mongolian 
people held their first multiparty democratic elections 5 years ago, on 
July 29, 1990. Since then, the Mongolian people have made important 
progress toward establishing a democratic, multiparty state and a free 
market economy.
  The United States has sought to assist Mongolia in this transition to 
democracy and a market-oriented economy.
  Only last week the First Lady visited Mongolia to reiterate our 
support for the Mongolian people and their achievements.
  It is proper and fitting that the Congress also take note of 
Mongolia's accomplishments.
  By adopting this resolution now, the House will be voicing its own 
support for the remarkable transition that Mongolia has undergone in 
recent years.
  I commend Chairman Bereuter for this resolution and urge its swift 
adoption.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. KIM. Mr. Speaker, as a member of the International Relations 
Subcommittee on Asian and Pacific Affairs, I rise in strong support of 
this resolution commemorating the fifth anniversary of the first 
democratic multiparty elections held in Mongolia. This is an 
appropriate way for the House to commend the Mongolian people for the 
significant political and economic reforms they have made such a 
relatively short period of time.
  Prior to 1990, Mongolia was a subservient, Soviet satellite state 
isolated from the rest of the world. Mongolia did not even have 
diplomatic or trade relations with most countries of the world 
including the United States. Tens of thousands of Soviet Red army 
troops were stationed in the country. As in other captive nations, the 
Communist Party monopolized power in Mongolia.
  All of that changed 5 years ago. After nearly seven decades of 
Communist rule, the Mongolians held their first multiparty democratic 
elections and embarked on a very ambitious course of democratic and 
economic reform. And, Mongolians are proud of their new direction. 
While their ongoing transition has had its obstacles and temporary 
setbacks, compared to the progress of its giant neighbors; namely, 
Russia and China, Mongolia is a welcome success. As one Mongolian 
boasted to me, ``We have evolved from a Communist monopoly to a 
democracy without blowing up the parliament or running over students 
with tanks.'' Not what one would expect from the land of Genghis Khan. 
Perhaps Mongolia's neighbors could learn a thing or two from Ulan 
Bator.
  Without question, Mongolia continues to face tough challenges and 
growing pains during this period of transition. I realize that 
difficulties can arise during such a comprehensive reform effort. But, 
for genuine democracy and economic prosperity to be realized, 
Mongolians must understand that these problems need to be addressed in 
ways that further promote freedom and the rule of law. It is in this 
positive context that I raised concern about the possible erosion of 
religious freedom as guaranteed in the 1992 Mongolian Constitution 
during committee consideration of this resolution. As a result, during 
the markup, an amendment I sponsored to reinforce the importance of 
respecting civil liberties and the rule of law was unanimously 
accepted.
  Considering the history, the harsh environment, and the economic and 
political isolation of Mongolia, the Mongolian people can be very proud 
of their achievements to date. While it is true that Mongolia is often 
not the focus of United States foreign policy, that should not be 
interpreted as we do not care. We do. First Lady Hillary Clinton 
recently paid an important good-will visit to Mongolia. And, today, 
this special resolution lets Mongolians know that their efforts are 
recognized by the United States House of Representatives. It sends a 
clear message that the United States is a friend and does care about 
Mongolia. It encourages Mongolia to continue full speed ahead with its 
reform program despite the short-term challenges such action may 
present.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support House Resolution 158 and 
to bolster the ongoing democratic movement in Mongolia.
  Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. WYNN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Nebraska [Mr. Bereuter] that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, House Resolution 158, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution, as amended, was 
agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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