[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 68 (Thursday, May 17, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S5127]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page S5127]]
                  STATEMENTS ON SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

                                 ______
                                 

   SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 38--RECOGNIZING THE FOUNDING OF THE 
   ALLIANCE FOR REFORM AND DEMOCRACY IN ASIA, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

  Mr. McCONNELL (for himself, Mr. Helms, Mrs. Feinstein, and Mr. Leahy) 
submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on Foreign Relations:

                            S. Con. Res. 38

       Whereas authoritarian governments in Asia deny their 
     citizens basic freedoms of belief, speech, and association, 
     and engage in intimidation and other human rights abuses 
     designed to ensure that political opposition to those 
     governments is nonexistent or weak;
       Whereas established and emerging democracies in Asia offer 
     hope and inspiration to democrats and reformers across the 
     region;
       Whereas democracy activists in Asia are firmly committed to 
     advancing democracy, human rights, good governance, and the 
     rule of law, often at great personal risk;
       Whereas leading democrats and reformers created the 
     Alliance for Reform and Democracy in Asia (referred to in 
     this Resolution as ARDA) in Bangkok, Thailand, on October 8, 
     2000, as a broad-based, nonviolent movement to encourage and 
     accelerate the march of democracy in Asia;
       Whereas the members of the ARDA have rejected as false any 
     definition of ``Asian values'' that does not include respect 
     for human rights, democracy, freedom, and good governance;
       Whereas the members of the ARDA have pledged in a 
     declaration of unity to promote democracy, human rights, and 
     the rule of law in Asia;
       Whereas the members of the ARDA support each other through 
     words and deeds in times of political crisis;
       Whereas the members of the ARDA have frequently met to 
     reaffirm their collective commitment to democracy, the rule 
     of law, and human rights, most recently in Taiwan and 
     Mongolia; and
       Whereas Congress recognizes that the establishment of 
     democratic governments in Asia is vital to the United States 
     national security interests: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That Congress--
       (1) recognizes and commends the members of the Alliance for 
     Reform and Democracy in Asia for joining forces in a common 
     struggle for freedom and the rule of law;
       (2) calls upon governments in Asia to heed the calls by the 
     ARDA for political and legal reforms, and to engage members 
     of the ARDA in dialog; and
       (3) calls for an immediate end to human rights violations 
     committed against Asian democracy activists and reformers.

                          ____________________