SOUTHEAST ASIA

Bills and resolutions

Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN): initiate negotiations to enter into a free trade agreement with the U.S. and prevent bilateral issues with Burma from deterring such negotiations (see S. Res. 218), S4226 [29JN]

Burma: investigate volume of ships and planes from North Korea and allegations of international crimes, and encourage release of political prisoners and provision of safe havens for child soldiers (see S. Con. Res. 12), S2387 [12AP] (see S. Res. 139), S2348 [8AP]

Dept. of State: list Vietnam as a ``Country of Particular Concern'' relative to religious freedom (see H. Res. 16), H41 [5JA]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: clarify presumptions relating to exposure of certain veterans who served in the vicinity of Vietnam (see S. 1629), S5945 [23SE] (see H.R. 812), H1250 (see H.R. 812), H1362 [18FE] (see H.R. 3612), H8318 [8DE]

———inter in national cemeteries individuals who supported the U.S. in Laos during the Vietnamese Conflict era (see H.R. 3192), H6920 [13OC]

Mekong River: protect and increase U.S. support for delaying the construction of mainstream dams (see S. Res. 227), S4450 [7JY]

Oceans: call for a peaceful resolution of maritime territorial disputes in the South China Sea, condemn use of force by Chinese vessels, and support U.S. military operations supporting navigation rights (see S. Res. 217), S4130 [27JN] (see H. Res. 352), H5125 [15JY]

Veterans: provide benefits for children with spina bifida of veterans exposed to herbicides while serving in the Armed Forces during the Vietnam era outside Vietnam (see S. 873), S2621 [3MY]

Remarks in House

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: clarify presumptions relating to exposure of certain veterans who served in the vicinity of Vietnam (H.R. 812), E624 [4AP]

Vietnam: address issues relative to religious freedom, H5599 [27JY], E2113 [22NO]

Vietnamese conflict: anniversary of the fall of Saigon to Communist forces, E797 [3MY]

Remarks in Senate

Dept. of Defense: consult with Armed Services committees in commissioning an independent assessment of U.S. security interests in East Asia and the Pacific region, S8060 [30NO]

Dept. of Veterans Affairs: require evidence of causal relationships for presumptions of service connection for diseases associated with exposure to certain herbicide agents, S4665-S4667 [19JY], S4695, S4702, S4703 [20JY]

Mekong River: protect and increase U.S. support for delaying the construction of mainstream dams along (S. Res. 227), S4627 [18JY]

Reports filed

Nomination of David L. Carden To Be Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) U.S. Representative: Committee on Foreign Relations (Senate), S976 [28FE]

Protect and Increase U.S. Support for Delaying the Construction of Mainstream Dams Along the Mekong River: Committee on Foreign Relations (Senate) (S. Res. 227), S8148 [1DE]

Texts of

S. Con. Res. 12, investigate volume of ships and planes from North Korea and allegations of international crimes in Burma, and encourage release of political prisoners and provision of safe havens for child soldiers, S2400 [12AP]

S. Res. 139, investigate volume of ships and planes from North Korea and allegations of international crimes in Burma, and encourage release of political prisoners and provision of safe havens for child soldiers, S2361 [8AP]

S. Res. 217, call for a peaceful resolution of maritime territorial disputes in the South China Sea, condemn use of force by Chinese vessels, and support U.S. military operations supporting navigation rights, S4131, S4133 [27JN]

S. Res. 218, initiate negotiations with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to enter into a free trade agreement with the U.S. and prevent bilateral issues with Burma from deterring such negotiations, S4235 [29JN]