[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 21 (Thursday, March 5, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S1480]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page S1480]]
FOSTERING FRIENDSHIP AND COOPERATION BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES-MONGOLIA

  Mr. CHAFEE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of Calendar No. 320, S. Con. Res 
60.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
  The bill clerk read as follows:

       A concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 60) expressing the 
     sense of the Congress in support of efforts to foster 
     friendship and cooperation between the United States and 
     Mongolia, and for other purposes.

  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection to the immediate 
consideration of the concurrent resolution?
  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
concurrent resolution.
  Mr. CHAFEE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motion to 
reconsider be laid upon the table, and that any statements relating to 
the resolution appear at this point in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 60) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The concurrent resolution, with its preamble, is as follows:

                            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 12 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 Mongolian Government has established civilian 
     control of the military--a hallmark of democratic naions--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.

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