[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 152 (Tuesday, November 4, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11693-S11694]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 60--RELATIVE TO MONGOLIA

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

                            S. Con. Res. 60

       Whereas in 1990, Mongolia renounced the Communist form of 
     government and peacefully adopted a series of changes that 
     linked economic development with democratic political 
     reforms;
       Whereas the Mongolian people have held 2 presidential 
     elections and 3 parliamentary elections since 1990, all 
     featuring vigorous campaigns by candidates from multiple 
     political parties;
       Whereas these elections have been free from violence, voter 
     intimidation, and ballot irregularities, and the peaceful 
     transfer of power from one Mongolian government to another 
     has been successfully completed, demonstrating Mongolia's 
     commitment to peace, stability, and the rule of law;
       Whereas every Mongolian government since the end of 
     communism has dedicated itself to promoting and protecting 
     individual freedoms, the rule of law, respect for human 
     rights, freedom of the press, and the principle of self-
     government, thereby demonstrating that Mongolia is 
     consolidating democratic gains and moving to institutionalize 
     democratic processes;
       Whereas Mongolia stands apart as one of the few countries 
     in central and southeast Asia that is truly a fully 
     functioning democracy;
       Whereas the efforts of Mongolia to promote economic 
     development through free market economic policies, while also 
     promoting human rights and individual liberties, building 
     democratic institutions, and protecting the environment, 
     serve as a beacon to freethinking people throughout the 
     region and the world;
       Whereas the commitment of Mongolia to democracy makes it a 
     critical element in efforts to foster and maintain regional 
     stability throughout central and southeast Asia;
       Whereas Mongolia has some of the most pristine environments 
     in the world, which provide habitats to plant and animal 
     species that have been lost elsewhere, and has shown a strong 
     desire to protect its environment through the Biodiversity 
     Conservation Action Plan while moving forward with economic 
     development, thus service as a model for developing nations 
     in the region and throughout the world;
       Whereas Mongolia has demonstrated a strong commitment to 
     the same ideals that the United States stands for as 
     a nation, and has indicated a strong desire to deepen and 
     strengthen its relationship with the United States;
       Whereas the Mongolia Government has established civilian 
     control of the military--a hallmark of democratic nations--
     and is now working with parliamentary and military leaders in 
     Mongolia, through the United States International Military 
     Education and Training program, to further develop oversight 
     of the Mongolia military; and
       Whereas Mongolia is seeking to develop political and 
     military relationships with neighboring countries as a means 
     of enhancing regional stability: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That--
       (1) Congress--
       (A) strongly supports efforts by the United States and 
     Mongolia to use the resources of their respective countries 
     to strengthen political, economic, educational, and cultural 
     ties between the two countries;
       (B) confirms the commitment of the United States to an 
     independent, sovereign, secure, and democratic Mongolia;
       (C) applauds and encourages Mongolia's simultaneous efforts 
     to develop its democratic and free market institutions;
       (D) supports future contacts between the United States and 
     Mongolia in such a manner as will benefit the parliamentary, 
     judicial, and political institutions of Mongolia, 
     particularly through the creation of an interparliamentary 
     exchange between Congress of the United States and the 
     Mongolian parliament;
       (E) supports the efforts of the Mongolia parliament to 
     establish United States-Mongolia Friendship Day;
       (F) encourages the efforts of Mongolia toward economic 
     development that is compatible with environmental protection 
     and supports an exchange of ideas and information with 
     respect to such efforts between Mongolia and United States 
     scientists;
       (G) commends Mongolia for its foresight in environmental 
     protection through the Biodiversity Conservation Action Plan 
     and encourages Mongolia to obtain the goals illustrated in 
     the plan; and
       (H) commends the efforts of Mongolia to strengthen civilian 
     control over the Mongolia military through parliamentary 
     oversight and recommends that Mongolia be admitted into the 
     Partnership for Peace initiative at the earliest opportunity; 
     and
       (2) it is the sense of Congress that the President--
       (A) should, both through the vote of the United States in 
     international financial institutions and in the 
     administration of the bilateral assistance programs of the 
     United States, support Mongolia in its efforts to expand 
     economic opportunity through free market structures and 
     policies;
       (B) should assist Mongolia in its efforts to integrate 
     itself into international economic structures, such as the 
     World Trade Organization; and
       (C) should promote efforts to increase commercial 
     investment in Mongolia by United States businesses and should 
     promote policies which will increase economic cooperation and 
     development between the United States and Mongolia.

  Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, today I am submitting a concurrent 
resolution expressing the sense of Congress in support of efforts to 
foster friendship and cooperation between the United States and 
Mongolia. Passage of this resolution will signal American support of 
Mongolia's peaceful transition to a stable democracy and market 
economy. Senator Thomas is an original cosponsor to this resolution.
  There has been a stunning political transformation in Mongolia since 
it broke away from Communist rule in 1990. In the past 7 years, there 
have been two Presidential elections and three parliamentary elections. 
All of these have been open and democratic, and have not suffered from 
violence or fraud.
  The most important aspect of these elections is that they have showed 
the triumph of democracy and democratic forces. In 1996, the Mongolian 
Social Democratic Party [MSDP] and Mongolian National Democratic Party 
[MNDP] formed a coalition with two smaller parties to promote a unified 
democratic front. The fruits of this decision soon came to bear when 
the unified coalition campaigned on a ``Contract with the Mongolian 
Voter'' and won 50 of the 76 seats in the 1996 Parliamentary elections. 
I am happy to say that the International Republican Institute played a 
major role in this victory by showing these parties how to mobilize 
their supporters and work toward victory. The Mongolian Peoples 
Revolutionary Party, the former Mongolian Communist Party, won a 
Presidential election this year, and the President-elect has made 
assurances, including to me personally in August, that he supports 
democracy.
  This democratic transformation has established a firm human rights 
regime. The Mongolian Constitution allows freedom of speech, the press, 
and expression. Separation of church and state is recognized in this 
predominantly Buddhist nation as well as the right to worship or not 
worship. Full freedom of emigration is allowed, and Mongolia now is in 
full compliance with sections 402 and 409 of the Trade Act of 1974, 
also known as the Jackson-Vanik amendment. An independent judiciary has 
been established to protect these rights from any future violation.
  Mongolia is also in the middle of an economic transformation. As part 
of the ``Contract with the Mongolian Voter,'' the democratic coalition 
of the MNDP and MSDP ran on promises to establish private property 
rights and encourage foreign investment. The Mongolian Government is 
now steadily creating a market economy. A program has been set up to 
allow residents of Government-owned high rise apartments to acquire 
ownership of their residences. Mongolia joined the World Trade 
Organization in January this year, and in May the Parliament eliminated 
all tariffs, except on personal automobiles, alcoholic beverages, and 
tobacco. In September 1996, the Government removed price controls and 
Mongolians were able to finally survive a winter without a major 
breakdown of heat or electricity. The Mongolian Government is now 
boldly moving to set the nation on a course to privatize large-scale 
enterprise and reform the state pension system.

  When I was in Mongolia, I saw the effects of this economic 
transformation firsthand. At a town hall meeting in Kharakhorum, the 
ancient capital of the Mongol Empire, I met a herdsman and asked him 
about the economic liberalization. First, I asked him how many sheep he 
had under communism. He said none, because the Communists didn't allow 
private property. Then I asked him how many sheep he owned after 
privatization. He answered that he had 3 sheep then, which is not much 
in a country with 25 million sheep. So I asked him how many sheep he 
has now. He answered that he now has 90 goats, 60 sheep, 20 cows, and 6 
horses. I

[[Page S11694]]

asked him if that was considered successful. He replied that he was 
successful as were many herdsmen in this new economy. He then told me 
that he would never want to change the system back to what it was, 
because ``now Mongols have control over their own life and destiny.'' 
That is the new culture of a market Mongolian economy.
  There are many benefits to supporting Mongolian democracy and 
economic liberalization. In 1991, Secretary of State James Baker 
promised Mongolia that the United States would be Mongolia's ``third 
neighbor.'' We remain committed to that course of action to encourage 
Mongolia in its endeavors and promote it as an example of how nations 
can successfully convert from a Communist totalitarian state to a 
market democracy. Finally, a democratic Mongolia will promote peace and 
stability in northern Asia.
  Finally, there are important economic benefits to the United States. 
Mongolia would like to make the United States a major trading partner. 
Total two-way trade between the United States and Mongolia has almost 
tripled in value from $13 million in 1991 to $35 million in 1996. Total 
U.S. exports have more than doubled from over $2 million in 1992 to 
$4.2 million in 1996. As Mongolia continues to liberalize its economy, 
the United States will be able to count on it to become an important 
market for American goods and services.
  I hope that my colleagues here in the Senate will join me in 
recognizing Mongolia as an example of successful democratic 
transformation and supporting the Mongol transition to a market 
economy.

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