[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 137 (Saturday, September 28, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S11774]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




[[Page S11774]]



             COMMENDING GOVERNMENTS OF HUNGARY AND ROMANIA

  Mr. NICKLES. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of Senate Resolution 303, 
submitted earlier today by Senators Brown and Simon.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 303) commending the Governments of 
     Hungary and Romania on the occasion of the signing of a 
     Treaty of Understanding, Cooperation and Good Neighborliness.

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection to the immediate 
consideration of the resolution?
  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. BROWN. Mr. President, I rise today with my distinguished 
colleague Senator Simon to urge adoption of a resolution commemorating 
a historic treaty.
  On September 16, 1996, the governments of Romania and Hungary signed 
a Treaty of Understanding, Cooperation and Good Neighborliness. Both 
countries deserve high praise for putting aside long time differences 
to agree to work together toward their common goal of democracy. This 
treaty shows the commitment of Romania and Hungary to improve their 
economic cooperation and to expand military relationships not only 
between each other, but also to the members of the North Atlantic 
Treaty Organization.
  This agreement will allow both countries to enjoy a broader 
participation and sets the framework for the type of cooperation that 
will be required as these countries eventually enter the NATO.
  I recently visited Romania and was able to see first hand the 
remarkable economic changes that are taking place. American investment 
in Romania doubled from 1993 to 1994 and doubled again in 1995. This 
agreement, and the increasing regional security that it exemplifies, 
will ensure increasing opportunities for U.S. investment.
  It is clear that Romania and Hungary were able to set aside their 
long time differences by signing this treaty in order to improve their 
regional cooperation in hopes that they will eventually be included in 
NATO. By the mere suggestion that we expand NATO to include the 
countries of Central and Eastern Europe, we see moves to improve the 
relationships with their neighbors. If we were to actually expand NATO 
to include these newly emerging democracies, we would ensure that they 
will never return to communism. We will ensure that the tragic mistakes 
of the past will never be repeated and the wonderful people of Central 
and Eastern Europe will enjoy the long deserved freedoms of democracy.
  Mr. NICKLES. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motion to 
reconsider be laid upon the table, and any statements relating to the 
resolution appear at the appropriate place in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 303) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, is as follows:

                              S. Res. 303

       Whereas on September 16, 1996, a ``Treaty of Understanding, 
     Cooperation and Good Neighborliness between Romania and the 
     Republic of Hungary'' was signed by Gyula Horn, Prime 
     Minister of Hungary, and by Nicolae Vacaroiu, Prime Minister 
     of Romania, in Timisoara/Temesvar, Romania;
       Whereas this agreement between the two governments is an 
     important step in contributing to the stability of that 
     region and to reconciliation and cooperation among the 
     nations of Central and Eastern Europe.
       Whereas this agreement will enhance the participation of 
     both countries in the Partnership for Peace program and will 
     contribute to and facilitate their closer cooperation with 
     the members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the 
     eventual entry of these countries into full NATO 
     participation; and
       Whereas this agreement is a further significant step in the 
     process of reconciliation between Hungary and Romania and 
     reflects the desire and effort of both countries to improve 
     their economic cooperation, to foster the free movement of 
     peoples between their countries, to expand military 
     relationships, and to increase cultural and educational 
     cooperation.
       It is resolved by the Senate, That the Senate--
       (1) commends the farsighted leadership shown by both the 
     government of Hungary and the government of Romania in 
     reaching agreement on the Treaty of Understanding, 
     Cooperation and Good Neighborliness signed on September 16, 
     1996;
       (2) commends the frank, open, and reasoned political 
     dialogue between officials of Hungary and Romania which led 
     to the treaty;
       (3) commends the two countries for their efforts to foster 
     improved relations in all fields; and
       (4) calls upon the President to utilize all available and 
     appropriate means on behalf of the United States to support 
     the implementation of the provisions of the ``Treaty of 
     Understanding, Cooperation and Good Neighborliness between 
     Romania and the Republic of Hungary'' and to promote their 
     efforts for regional cooperation as the best means of bring 
     these two countries into NATO and to ensure lasting security 
     in the region.

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