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[Congressional Bills 105th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Con. Res. 60 Referred in House (RFH)]

  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 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 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
    Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), 
That--
            (1) Congress--
                    (A) strongly supports efforts by the United States 
                and Mongolia to use the resources of their respective 
                countries to strengthen political, economic, 
                educational, and cultural ties between the two 
                countries;
                    (B) confirms the commitment of the United States to 
                an independent, sovereign, secure, and democratic 
                Mongolia;
                    (C) applauds and encourages Mongolia's simultaneous 
                efforts to develop its democratic and free market 
                institutions;
                    (D) supports future contacts between the United 
                States and Mongolia in such a manner as will benefit 
                the parliamentary, judicial, and political institutions 
                of Mongolia, particularly through the creation of an 
                interparliamentary exchange between Congress of the 
                United States and the Mongolian parliament;
                    (E) supports the efforts of the Mongolia parliament 
                to establish United States-Mongolia Friendship Day;
                    (F) encourages the efforts of Mongolia toward 
                economic development that is compatible with 
                environmental protection and supports an exchange of 
                ideas and information with respect to such efforts 
                between Mongolia and United States scientists;
                    (G) commends Mongolia for its foresight in 
                environmental protection through the Biodiversity 
                Conservation Action Plan and encourages Mongolia to 
                obtain the goals illustrated in the plan; and
                    (H) commends the efforts of Mongolia to strengthen 
                civilian control over the Mongolia military through 
                parliamentary oversight and recommends that Mongolia be 
                admitted into the Partnership for Peace initiative at 
                the earliest opportunity; and
            (2) it is the sense of Congress that the President--
                    (A) should, both through the vote of the United 
                States in international financial institutions and in 
                the administration of the bilateral assistance programs 
                of the United States, support Mongolia in its efforts 
                to expand economic opportunity through free market 
                structures and policies;
                    (B) should assist Mongolia in its efforts to 
                integrate itself into international economic 
                structures, such as the World Trade Organization; and
                    (C) should promote efforts to increase commercial 
                investment in Mongolia by United States businesses and 
                should promote policies which will increase economic 
                cooperation and development between the United States 
                and Mongolia.

            Passed the Senate March 5, 1998.

            Attest:

                                                    GARY SISCO,

                                                             Secretary.
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