[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 7]
[Senate]
[Page 8940]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




SENATE RESOLUTION 538--AFFIRMING THE SUPPORT OF THE UNITED STATES FOR A 
                STRONG AND VITAL ALLIANCE WITH THAILAND

  Mr. WEBB (for himself, Mr. Kerry, Mr. Bond, and Mr. Durbin) submitted 
the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              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 Thailand so that free and fair 
     elections can be held.

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