[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 160 (Thursday, November 13, 1997)]
[House]
[Pages H10878-H10880]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
EXPRESSING SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING MONGOLIA
Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to
the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 172) expressing the sense of
Congress in support of efforts to foster friendship and cooperation
between the United States and Mongolia, and for other purposes, as
amended.
The Clerk read as follows:
H. Con. Res. 172
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, demonstrating that Mongolia is consolidating
democratic gains and moving to institutionalize democratic
processes;
Whereas Mongolia stands apart as one of the few countries
in Asia that is truly a fully functioning democracy; its
efforts 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 Mongolia's commitment to democracy makes it a
critical element in efforts to foster and maintain regional
stability throughout central Asia;
[[Page H10879]]
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 serving as a model for developing nations
in the region and throughout the world;
Whereas Mongolia has established civilian control of the
military--a hallmark of democratic nations--and is now
working with the Mongolian parliamentary and military
leaders, through the United States International Military
Education and Training program, to further develop oversight
of the military;
Whereas Mongolia is seeking to develop political and
military relationships with neighboring countries as a means
of enhancing regional stability; and
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: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That--
(1) the Congress--
(A) supports the efforts of the Mongolian parliament to
establish ``United States-Mongolian Friendship Day'';
(B) 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 2 countries;
(C) confirms the support of the United States for an
independent, sovereign, secure, and democratic Mongolia;
(D) applauds and encourages Mongolia's simultaneous efforts
to develop its democratic and free market institutions;
(E) commends Mongolia for its foresight in environmental
protection through the Biodiversity Conservation Action Plan
and encourages Mongolia to obtain the goals illustrated in
this plan;
(F) encourages Mongolia's efforts toward economic
development that is compatible with environmental protection
and supports an exchange of ideas and information between
Mongolian and United States scientists;
(G) commends Mongolia's efforts to strengthen civilian
control, through parliamentary oversight, over the military;
and
(H) 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 the Congress of the United States and the
Mongolian parliament; and
(2) it is the sense of the 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, such as the Central Asian Enterprise Fund,
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.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Nebraska [Mr. Bereuter] and the gentleman from Florida [Mr. Hastings]
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Nebraska [Mr. Bereuter].
(Mr. BEREUTER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his
remarks.)
General Leave
Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their
remarks on H. Con. Res. 172, now under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Nebraska?
There was no objection.
Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, H. Con. Res. 172 was introduced on October 22 by the
distinguished gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Porter] together with the
distinguished gentleman from California [Mr. Dreier], and a second
distinguished gentleman from California [Mr. Lantos].
This resolution commends the people of Mongolia for the remarkable
progress that country has made since 1990, and as chairman of the
Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, I was pleased to expedite this
resolution. This Member also authorized a congratulatory resolution on
Mongolia which was approved by the previous Congress.
Mongolia has indeed made great strides from a one-party Communist
country with a command economy to a multiparty, free market democracy.
In the last 7 years Mongolia has also freed itself from Soviet
domination. Within a year from the fall of the Berlin Wall, the
popularly elected Mongolia 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 world.
Mongolia's accomplishments are worthy of congressional commendation,
and that is the major thrust of H. Con. Res. 172.
The Committee on International Relations, to which this resolution
was referred, unanimously approved this resolution on October 31. The
committee did make a number of minor alterations to the resolution, the
most notable being language supporting Mongolia's membership in NATO's
Partnership for Peace, which the Department of Defense indicates is not
feasible.
Mr. Speaker, while the State Department does not make a habit of
formally taking a position on noncontroversial resolutions such as the
one before the body at this time, we have been assured that this
resolution fully conforms with U.S. policy and has the administration's
support.
Mr. Speaker, again I congratulate these gentlemen for bringing this
to our attention. We need to take time to recognize particular
successes among our friends and allies and not just focus on negative
things. This Member would urge approval of this congratulatory
resolution for a Nation that has taken extraordinary strides.
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 commend the chairman of the Subcommittee on Asia and
the Pacific of the Committee on International Relations for expediting
this particular resolution, as he has on so many occasions on other
very important legislation that has been brought before this body.
Mr. Speaker, this resolution recognizes the remarkable political
evolution Mongolia has undergone over the past 7 years. The principal
author of this matter, the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Porter] is to
be commended, as well as our colleagues, the gentleman from California
[Mr. Dreier], and the gentleman from California [Mr. Lantos], who are
also original cosponsors.
It clearly states, this resolution does, the desire of the United
States Congress for further cooperation and friendship between our two
countries. This resolution deserves our support. The gentleman from
Indiana [Mr. Hamilton], our ranking member, intends to vote ``yes'' on
this resolution, as do I, and I urge our colleagues to do likewise.
One aside, Mr. Speaker. I would urge all of our colleagues, in
consideration of matters as important as this relationship and others,
that we begin as often as we can visiting these locales so that we can
learn firsthand exactly what is needed for us to maintain our
friendship and to make our friendships grow around the world.
Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the chairman of the
subcommittee, Mr. Bereuter, for his assistance in reporting this
resolution out of the full committee, and for his strong support of
Mongolia. I would also like to thank Mr. Dreier and Mr. Lantos for
their support of this resolution as original cosponsors.
Too often, we come to the floor of the House to criticize other
countries for what we see as their failure to live up to our standards
in the areas of human rights, economic freedom, or environmental
protection. Today, however, we are coming to the floor to celebrate a
success story--the country of Mongolia. I am pleased to be a part of
this positive message of affirmation that we are sending to one of the
greatest, but most often overlooked success stories to come out of the
end of the Soviet Empire.
The first democratic elections were only held in Mongolia in 1990,
but this country has made remarkable progress in implementing
democratic reforms while improving their economy, promoting human
rights and protecting their vast and unique environment. In just 7
[[Page H10880]]
years, the people of Mongolia have rejected one-party rule, elected a
new President firmly established civilian control over the military,
and gained economic freedom. This transition--conducted in a peaceful
manner--has proven to be a rarity, especially in this area of the
world.
Mongolians are very positively disposed towards the United States and
have modeled many of their democratic reforms on the United States
system. This past June, the new prime minister ran on a platform
titled, ``the Contract with the Mongolian Voter.'' The Mongolian
Government considers their transition to be very similar to our
settling of the West. The Mongolian nomads--which make up 40 percent of
the population--are not unlike the American cowboys. They cherish their
freedom but are eager to benefit from the economic reforms that are
gradually being implemented.
The Mongolian Government places a high priority on its relationship
with the United States and is eager to be our partner in Northern and
Central Asia, an area where we democratic, free and stable partners are
hard to find. Moreover, as Mongolia gains confidence in its own voice
within the region, they are seeking to prove that democracy, freedom,
and human rights are universal values, and that Asian countries can
promote these values and economic growth at the same time. The United
States could look for no better role model for the region, or no better
partner in the region than a country which has committed itself to the
values that we promote as a nation.
With this resolution, the United States is recognizing the Mongolian
people and their government for their unparalleled achievements in
establishing a democracy. We are also encouraging them to continue to
follow through with many of the proposed reforms. The next 5 years will
be a critical period in Mongolian as the social costs of economic and
political reform begin to take a heavy toll on some segments of the
population. We must help Mongolia to stay the course on democratic
self-government and free market economics through the difficult times
ahead.
As the Mongolian Government charges ahead with economic reforms, they
have not neglected their environment. Because of their small population
relative to their land mass, Mongolia consists of some of the most
pristine ecosystems in the world. The Mongolian Government has
recognized this tremendous asset and has approved many environmental
regulations to continue to protect these ecosystems. Specifically, the
previous regime pledged to preserve 30 percent of Mongolia as a
national park under the Biodiversity Conservation Action Plan. While
this pledge may prove difficult to keep while progressing with economic
reforms, the new government has committed to adhere to this pledge.
With this resolution, the United States applauds the Mongolian
Government's foresight and encourages them to continue to promote
economic development without sacrificing their rich environment.
Nestled between China and Russia, with a population the size of
Philadelphia and a land mass one-third the size of the United States,
Mongolia will continue to be an important global partner for the United
States. In light of the tremendous reforms that have been achieved in
the first 7 years, the United States congratulates Mongolia on its
recent successes and looks forward to increasing cooperation with the
Mongolian Government and people on democratic, economic, and
environmental programs.
Mr. GILMAN. Mr. President, Mongolia is a shining beacon of hope for
those people who are still living under repressive governments around
the world. Mongolia is isolated, its population is small, its resources
are limited but it has enthusiastically embraced political and economic
reforms that would challenge any highly industrialized nation. Its
government is also aggressively trying to preserve its environment and
strengthen its parliamentary and judicial system.
We need to do all we can to ensure that Mongolia is successful and I
urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
I appreciate the efforts of our colleague from Illinois [Mr. Porter]
the sponsor of the bill and the distinguished cochairman of the Human
Rights Caucus, and also thank the manager of the resolution, the
distinguished Chairman of the Asia and the Pacific Subcommittee, the
gentleman from Nebraska [Mr. Bereuter] as well as his subcommittee's
ranking member, the gentleman from California [Mr. Berman].
Accordingly, I again urge support for this resolution.
Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for
time, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, I urge support of the resolution, 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 concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 172, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor
thereof) the rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution, as
amended, was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
____________________