[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 79 (Monday, May 24, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4161-S4162]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 SUPPORTING U.S. ALLIANCE WITH THAILAND

  Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Res. 538, submitted 
earlier today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 538) affirming the support of the 
     United States for a strong and vital alliance with Thailand.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent my name be added 
as a cosponsor of this measure.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. DURBIN. I ask unanimous consent the resolution be agreed to, the 
preamble be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be laid upon the 
table, with no intervening action or debate, and any statements related 
to the resolution be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 538) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 538

       Whereas Thailand became the first treaty ally of the United 
     States in the Asia-Pacific region with the Treaty of Amity 
     and Commerce, signed at Sia-Yut'hia (Bangkok) March 20, 1833, 
     between the United States and Siam, during the administration 
     of President Andrew Jackson and the reign of King Rama III;
       Whereas the United States and Thailand furthered their 
     alliance with the Southeast Asia Collective Defense Treaty, 
     (commonly known as the ``Manila Pact of 1954'') signed at 
     Manila September 8, 1954, and the United States designated 
     Thailand as a major non-North Atlantic Treaty Organization 
     (NATO) ally in December 2003;
       Whereas, through the Treaty of Amity and Economic 
     Relations, signed at Bangkok May 26, 1966, along with a 
     diverse and growing trading relationship, the United States 
     and Thailand have developed critical economic ties;
       Whereas Thailand is a key partner of the United States in 
     Southeast Asia and has supported closer relations between the 
     United States and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations 
     (ASEAN);
       Whereas Thailand has the longest-serving monarch in the 
     world, His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who is loved and 
     respected for his dedication to the people of Thailand;
       Whereas Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjaijva has issued a 5-
     point roadmap designed to promote the peaceful resolution of 
     the current political crisis in Thailand;
       Whereas approximately 500,000 people of Thai descent live 
     in the United States and foster strong cultural ties between 
     the 2 countries; and
       Whereas Thailand remains a steadfast friend with shared 
     values of freedom, democracy, and liberty: Now, therefore, be 
     it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) affirms the support of the people and the Government of 
     the United States for a strong and vital alliance with 
     Thailand;
       (2) calls for the restoration of peace and stability 
     throughout Thailand;
       (3) urges all parties involved in the political crisis in 
     Thailand to renounce the use of violence and to resolve their 
     differences peacefully through dialogue;
       (4) supports the goals of the 5-point roadmap of the 
     Government of Thailand for national reconciliation, which 
     seeks to
       (A) uphold and protect respect for and the institution of 
     the constitutional monarchy;
       (B) resolve fundamental problems of social justice 
     systematically and with participation by all sectors of 
     society;
       (C) ensure that the media can operate freely and 
     constructively;
       (D) establish facts about the recent violence through 
     investigation by an independent committee; and
       (E) establish mutually acceptable political rules through 
     the solicitation of views from all sides; and
       (5) promotes the timely implementation of an agreed plan 
     for national reconciliation in

[[Page S4162]]

     Thailand so that free and fair elections can be held.

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