[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.

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