[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 160 (Thursday, November 13, 1997)]
[House]
[Pages H10874-H10876]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CONGRATULATING ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH EAST ASIAN NATIONS ON ITS 30TH 
                              ANNIVERSARY

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 282) congratulating the Association of South East 
Asian Nations [ASEAN] on the occasion of its 30th anniversary.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 282

       Whereas 1997 marks the 30th anniversary of the Association 
     of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN);
       Whereas the emphasis of ASEAN on cooperation and the 
     nonviolent settlement of disputes has helped to bring peace 
     between the nations of the region which for decades had been 
     characterized by instability and conflict;
       Whereas the economies of the member nations of ASEAN have 
     experienced significant economic growth benefiting the lives 
     of many of their people;
       Whereas ASEAN as a group is the 4th largest trading partner 
     of the United States and constitutes a larger market for 
     United States exports than the People's Republic of China, 
     Taiwan, and Hong Kong combined;
       Whereas ASEAN has successfully fostered a sense of 
     community among its member nations despite differing 
     interests, including the establishment of the region's only 
     security forum, the Association of South East Asian Nations 
     Regional Forum (ARF), and the Association of South East Asian 
     Nations Free Trade Area (AFTA);
       Whereas ASEAN has played a pivotal role in international 
     efforts of global and regional concern, including securing 
     the withdrawal of Vietnamese forces from Cambodia and 
     diplomatic efforts to foster a political settlement to the 
     civil war in Cambodia;
       Whereas the United States relies on ASEAN as a partner in 
     fostering regional stability, enhancing prosperity, and 
     promoting peace; and
       Whereas the 30th anniversary of the formation of ASEAN 
     offers an opportunity for the United States and the nations 
     of ASEAN to renew their commitment to international 
     cooperation on issues of mutual interest and concern: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) congratulates the Association of South East Asian 
     Nations (ASEAN) and its member nations on the occasion of its 
     30th anniversary;
       (2) looks forward to a broadening and deepening of 
     friendship and cooperation with ASEAN in the years ahead for 
     the benefit of the people of the United States and the 
     nations of ASEAN;
       (3) encourages progress by ASEAN members toward the further 
     development of democracy, respect for human rights, 
     enhancement of the rule of law, and the expansion of market 
     economies; and
       (4) recognizes the past achievements of ASEAN and pledges 
     its support to work closely with ASEAN as both the United 
     States and the nations of ASEAN face current and future 
     regional and global challenges.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
York [Mr. Gilman] and the gentleman from Florida [Mr. Hastings] each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York [Mr. Gilman].


                             General Leave

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 days within which to revise and extend their remarks on this 
measure.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  (Mr. GILMAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his 
remarks.)
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to have had the opportunity to 
bring to the floor this measure congratulating the Association of South 
East Asian Nations, known as ASEAN, on the occasion of their 30th 
anniversary.
  The ASEAN organization has a lot to be proud of. Its emphasis on 
cooperation and a nonviolent settlement of disputes has fostered peace 
among its members in a region of the world which has long been wrought 
with instability and conflict.
  The United States has important strategic, economic, and political 
interests at stake in Southeast Asia. Maintaining stability remains an 
overriding U.S. security interest in the region. Instability would not 
only threaten significant U.S. economic interests but could also 
undermine important U.S. political relationships.
  ASEAN's Regional Forum [ARF], the region's only security consultative 
platform, is a key partner of the United States in maintaining regional 
stability. The ASEAN countries provide our Nation with significant 
commercial opportunities. ASEAN as a group is the fourth largest 
trading partner of the United States and constitutes a larger market 
for U.S. exports than does the People's Republic of China, Taiwan, and 
Hong Kong combined.

[[Page H10875]]

  The Congress rightfully has expressed its concern about the 
development of human rights and democracy in the nations of ASEAN but 
is pleased with the flourishing of democracy in Thailand and the 
Philippines. It is hoped these examples are going to encourage progress 
by the other nations of ASEAN and the furthering of democratic 
principles and practices, respect for human rights, and the enhancement 
of the rule of law.
  The Congress looks forward to a broadening and deepening of 
friendship and cooperation with ASEAN in the years ahead for the mutual 
benefit of the people of the United States and the nations of ASEAN.
  In closing, I want to thank for their support the distinguished 
ranking minority member, the gentleman from Indiana [Mr. Hamilton]; the 
distinguished chairman of the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, the 
gentleman from Nebraska [Mr. Bereuter]; and the subcommittee's ranking 
minority member, the gentleman from California [Mr. Berman]; as well as 
another gentleman who has had strong interest in this matter, the 
gentleman from American Samoa [Mr. Faleomavaega].
  I urge all my colleagues to support this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I would echo the remarks of the chairman, the gentleman 
from New York [Mr. Gilman], particularly as it pertains to the 
gentleman from Nebraska [Mr. Bereuter], the gentleman from California 
[Mr. Berman], the gentleman from American Samoa [Mr. Faleomavaega], and 
those of us that serve on the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific.
  Mr. Speaker, I am one of the authors of this resolution, as is the 
ranking member, the gentleman from Indiana [Mr. Hamilton], and I urge 
my colleagues to join the gentleman from New York [Mr. Gilman] and 
those of us on the Democratic side in supporting its adoption.
  Some 32 years ago, a handful of underdeveloped and not very 
influential Southeast Asian countries binded together to create the 
Association of South East Asian Nations, or ASEAN. I dare say that at 
the time of ASEAN's founding in 1967, not even the most optimistic 
would have guessed how far the ASEAN nations would have traveled down 
the road of economic development.
  It is true that in a number of instances political reform has lagged 
behind economic development, but I remain confident, as do my 
colleagues, that political pluralism and full-fledged democracy will 
one day prevail throughout the region.
  Today, ASEAN has established itself as one of the premier regional 
groupings in the world. It has also shown itself to be a good friend of 
the United States. It deserves our accommodation on its 30th 
anniversary, and I urge adoption of this resolution as a gesture of 
friendship and support.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of our time.
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Nebraska [Mr. Bereuter], the distinguished vice chairman 
of our committee.
  Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I do rise as a cosponsor in strong support 
of H. Res. 282, a resolution congratulating ASEAN on the occasion of 
its 30th anniversary of creation.
  I would, however, like to take a few minutes here or a part of a 
minute or so to speak extemporaneously on what took place on this floor 
just a minute or two ago when we were debating an Iraqi resolution. I 
would have requested time if I had known what was going to be said in 
some of the closing comments of that debate.
  What we say and what we do on this floor on international relations 
does matter, and we ought to be careful with what we say to make sure 
it is accurate.
  Now it was said a few minutes ago, in some hyperbole no doubt, that 
the U.S. taxpayer stands behind tens of billions of dollars of 
assistance to Indonesia. That is not factual. There is a standby 
allocation to assist with the financial problems and the currency 
exchange rates in Indonesia. The U.S. is willing to be a backup to the 
IMF, but it is nothing approaching that amount, and perhaps that backup 
will not be used.
  We also heard a lot of rhetoric here about evenhandedness when it 
comes to Turkey and the Kurds and Iraq. Well, we also might have said 
we need evenhandedness when it comes to terrorist organizations like 
the PKK, and I think it is inappropriate for us to demonize countries 
unless the facts are on our side.
  Now one of the gentleman here misunderstands the situation in East 
Timor. There are problems in East Timor, alleged human rights 
violations, and certainly there are human rights violations, and there 
has been violence on both sides on that issue. This has been a major 
source of contention and conflict since the Portuguese walked away from 
that colony of East Timor and the Indonesians came in.
  But the problem is not that people cannot practice their religion in 
Indonesia. That is not the problem, as was suggested out here. So it is 
important that we not demonize countries for things that are not true. 
We should not be demonizing countries at all, and when we have a 
legitimate reason for criticism, we should exercise that criticism.
  Now back to the ASEAN resolution. This Member would congratulate the 
distinguished chairman of the Committee on International Relations, the 
gentleman from New York [Mr. Gilman], for his leadership demonstrated 
on recognizing the increasing significance of this important 
multilateral organization. Through his authorship of the resolution as 
the chairman of the Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, I was pleased 
to expedite consideration of this resolution.
  Over the last three decades, ASEAN has emerged into a critically 
important security institution in Southeast Asia. Originally created as 
a means to respond to the threat of Vietnamese expansionism, it is now 
an umbrella organization where all of Southeast Asia, including 
Vietnam, can eventually work together to promote their common 
interests, and most of the countries now are members in Southeast Asia. 
Cambodia is not yet because of what happened there in what can only be 
called legitimately a coup.
  ASEAN has had an important role in promoting a peaceful resolution to 
the Spratly Islands crisis and has brought significant pressure to bear 
regarding the ongoing crisis in Cambodia.
  This Member would also note that the United States, Russia, the 
People's Republic of China, and other countries interested in Asian 
security, and I could have mentioned Japan, have been able to work 
constructively through the ASEAN Regional Forum, or the ARF. While 
ASEAN certainly has a significant challenge as authoritarian 
governments are brought into that organization, we can also hope and 
push for the Vietnamese, the Laotians, the Burmese. Their association 
with the ASEAN will have a democratizing effect on these one-party 
states.
  While the State Department does not, as a rule, take a position on 
such nonbinding resolutions like this one, this Member would note the 
gentleman from New York worked very closely with the State Department 
and the minority to ensure unanimous support for H. Res. 282.
  His success in this effort has been demonstrated by the fact that the 
distinguished ranking Democrat on the Committee on International 
Relations, the gentleman from Indiana [Mr. Hamilton], and the 
distinguished ranking Democrat on the Subcommittee on the Asian 
Pacific, the gentleman from California [Mr. Berman], are cosponsors of 
this resolution, and it was unanimously approved by the Committee on 
International Relations on October 31, 1997. This Member is also 
pleased to be a cosponsor.
  Mr. Speaker, this Member once again congratulates the gentleman from 
New York and urges adoption of H. Res. 282.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, does the gentleman from 
Nebraska have additional speakers?
  Mr. BEREUTER. I have one more speaker.
  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Then, Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance 
of my time.
  Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from California [Mr. Rohrabacher].

[[Page H10876]]

  Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this 
amendment.
  Mr. Speaker, ASEAN has proven a great example for developing 
countries around the world. It was not that long ago, in fact 30 years 
ago, when these same countries which we laud today for their 30th 
anniversary were the ultimate in developing countries. They were no 
different than the developing countries in Africa and in Latin America 
and elsewhere.
  Yet these countries, through a strong support for the economic rights 
of their people, at the very least the economic rights of their people, 
have shown that free enterprise and a respect for property rights will 
indeed bring a fountain of wealth and well-being for the people of the 
societies that so respect those rights.

                              {time}  1445

  ASEAN as well, I might add, has been a force for democracy, although 
the Members of ASEAN, all of the Members are not, of course, totally 
democratic. But let us take a look at the fact that the Philippines 
today has evolved from a country that was in a dictatorship for a 
number of decades, and now has a strong and vibrant economic situation 
where they are growing at 5 and 6 percent a year, as well as a strong 
democracy, along with Thailand whose democracy has been put to the 
maximum stress, but yet has maintained a slow but, yes, steady pace 
toward a more open and democratic society. These two countries serve as 
an example for all of Southeast Asia and, yes, serve as an example for 
all the countries in the developing world.
  Today, many countries in ASEAN, especially Thailand, are going 
through, but as well as the other countries of ASEAN, are going through 
an economic crisis, a crisis dealing with their money system. They are 
learning a lot through this crisis. We would like this amendment today, 
our expression of good will toward the countries of ASEAN and 
congratulations, comes at a unique moment for the United States to let 
these countries know that we consider them our friends, we consider 
them our partners, we consider them to be people who in the future will 
have even stronger and closer ties to the United States of America.
  So I rise in strong support and ask my colleagues to join me in 
support of this proposal and this amendment.
  Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from California for 
his timely and cogent remarks. I urge support for House Resolution 282.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from New York [Mr. Gilman] that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H.Res. 282.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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