IV

105TH CONGRESS

2D SESSION S. CON. RES. 60

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

OCTOBER 21, 1998

Referred to the Committee on International Relations, and in addition to the

Committees on Banking and Financial Services, and Ways and Means,

for a period to be subsquently determined by the Speaker, in each case

for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the

committee concerned

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Expressing the sense of Congress in support of efforts to

foster friendship and cooperation between the United

States and Mongolia, and for other purposes.

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 2 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
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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
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nation, and has indicated a strong desire to deepen and

strengthen its relationship with the United States;

Whereas the Mongolia Government has established civilian

control of the military—a hallmark of democratic nations—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

1 Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives

2 concurring), That—

3 (1) Congress—

4 (A) strongly supports efforts by the United

5 States and Mongolia to use the resources of

6 their respective countries to strengthen political,

7 economic, educational, and cultural ties between

8 the two countries;

9 (B) confirms the commitment of the

10 United States to an independent, sovereign, se11 cure, and democratic Mongolia;

12 (C) applauds and encourages Mongolia’s

13 simultaneous efforts to develop its democratic

14 and free market institutions;

15 (D) supports future contacts between the

16 United States and Mongolia in such a manner
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1 as will benefit the parliamentary, judicial, and

2 political institutions of Mongolia, particularly

3 through the creation of an interparliamentary

4 exchange between Congress of the United

5 States and the Mongolian parliament;

6 (E) supports the efforts of the Mongolia

7 parliament to establish United States–Mongolia

8 Friendship Day;

9 (F) encourages the efforts of Mongolia to10 ward economic development that is compatible

11 with environmental protection and supports an

12 exchange of ideas and information with respect

13 to such efforts between Mongolia and United

14 States scientists;

15 (G) commends Mongolia for its foresight in

16 environmental protection through the Biodiver17 sity Conservation Action Plan and encourages

18 Mongolia to obtain the goals illustrated in the

19 plan; and

20 (H) commends the efforts of Mongolia to

21 strengthen civilian control over the Mongolia

22 military through parliamentary oversight and

23 recommends that Mongolia be admitted into the

24 Partnership for Peace initiative at the earliest

25 opportunity; and
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1 (2) it is the sense of Congress that the

2 President—

3 (A) should, both through the vote of the

4 United States in international financial institu5 tions and in the administration of the bilateral

6 assistance programs of the United States, sup7 port Mongolia in its efforts to expand economic

8 opportunity through free market structures and

9 policies;

10 (B) should assist Mongolia in its efforts to

11 integrate itself into international economic

12 structures, such as the World Trade Organiza13 tion; and

14 (C) should promote efforts to increase

15 commercial investment in Mongolia by United

16 States businesses and should promote policies

17 which will increase economic cooperation and

18 development between the United States and

19 Mongolia.

Passed the Senate March 5, 1998.

Attest: GARY SISCO,

Secretary.