[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 138 (Monday, September 30, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12000-S12001]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        SENATE RESOLUTION 306--RELATIVE TO THE PEOPLE OF OKINAWA

  Mr. ROTH (for himself, Mr. Thomas, and Mr. Nunn) submitted the 
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign 
Relations:

                              S. Res. 306

       Whereas the Senate finds that the Treaty of Mutual 
     Cooperation and Security Between the United States of America 
     and Japan is critical to the security interests of the United 
     States, Japan and the nations of the Asian Pacific region;
       Whereas the bilateral security relationship is the 
     foundation for U.S. security strategy in Asia and the 
     Pacific;
       Whereas strong bilateral security ties provide a key 
     stabilizing influence in an uncertain post-Cold War world;
       Whereas the bilateral security relationship makes it 
     possible for the United States to preserve its interest in 
     the Asia Pacific region;
       Whereas U.S. forward-deployed forces are welcomed by our 
     allies in the region because they are critical for 
     maintaining stability in East Asia;
       Whereas the recognition by our allies of the importance of 
     American troops for regional security confers on the United 
     States irreplaceable good will and diplomatic influence in 
     the Asia Pacific;
       Whereas Japan's host nation support is a key element in the 
     U.S. ability to maintain forward-deployed forces;
       Whereas the people of Okinawa have borne a disproportionate 
     share of the burdens of Japan's host nation support for 
     America's bases in Japan;
       Whereas the Government's of the United States and Japan 
     have made a commitment to reducing the burdens of U.S. forces 
     of the people of Okinawa;

[[Page S12001]]

       Whereas gaining the support of the people of Okinawa in 
     this process is crucial to effective implementation of the 
     Treaty: Now, therefore, it is the sense of the Senate that:
       (1) the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security Between 
     the United States of America and Japan remains vital to 
     American and Japanese security interests as well as the 
     security interests of the nations of the Asia-Pacific region; 
     and
       (2) the people of Okinawa deserve special recognition and 
     gratitude for their contributions toward ensuring the 
     Treaty's implementation.

  Mr. ROTH. Mr. President, I rise today on behalf of myself and 
Senators Thomas and Nunn to submit a sense of the Senate Resolution 
expressing our gratitude to the Okinawan people for their contributions 
toward ensuring the viability of Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and 
Security between the United States of America and Japan.
  Mr. President, that treaty forms the core of our bilateral security 
arrangements with Japan and of our overall security strategy for the 
Asia-Pacific region. Those arrangements have helped provide the peace 
and stability that have undergirded the region's economic success--from 
which the United States has benefited directly.
  Japan provides our forces based in that country with significant host 
nation support. And no one in Japan shoulders a more disproportionate 
share of that burden than the people of Okinawa. For their many 
contributions to the U.S.-Japan relationship and the peace and 
stability of all of the Asia-Pacific region, the Okinawan people justly 
deserve our recognition and our sincerest thanks. That is precisely 
what this resolution does. But it also goes further: The resolution 
makes it clear that the continued support of the Okinawan people is 
crucial if we are to maintain a bilateral relationship that serves both 
our countries' interests, as well as those of the Asia-Pacific and the 
entire world.
  Mr. President, I know time is short in this Congress, but I urge all 
my colleagues to join me in making passage of this resolution possible 
before we adjourn.

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