III

105TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION S. RES. 58

To state the sense of the Senate that the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation

and Security Between the United States of America and Japan is essential for furthering the security interests of the United States, Japan

and the countries of the Asia-Pacific region, and that the people of

Okinawa deserve recognition for their contributions toward ensuring the

treaty’s implementation.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

FEBRUARY 13, 1997

Mr. ROTH (for himself, Mr. THOMAS, Mr. MACK and Mr. ROCKEFELLER) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on

Foreign Relations

RESOLUTION

To state the sense of the Senate that the Treaty of Mutual

Cooperation and Security Between the United States of

America and Japan is essential for furthering the security interests of the United States, Japan and the countries of the Asia-Pacific region, and that the people of

Okinawa deserve recognition for their contributions toward ensuring the treaty’s implementation.

Whereas the Senate finds that the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security Between the United States of America

and Japan is critical to the security interests of the

United States, Japan and the countries of the Asian Pacific region;
2

SRES 58 IS

Whereas the security relationship between the United States

and Japan is the foundation for the security strategy of

the United States in the Asia-Pacific region;

Whereas strong security ties between the two countries provide a key stabilizing influence in an uncertain post-cold

war world;

Whereas this bilateral security relationship makes it possible

for the United States and Japan to preserve their interests in the Asia-Pacific region;

Whereas forward-deployed forces of the United States are

welcomed by allies of the United States in the region because such forces are critical for maintaining stability in

the Asia-Pacific region;

Whereas regional stability has undergirded economic growth

and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region;

Whereas the recognition by allies of the United States of the

importance of United States armed forces for security in

the Asia-Pacific region confers on the United States irreplaceable good will and diplomatic influence in that region;

Whereas Japan’s host nation support is a key element in the

ability of the United States to maintain forward-deployed

forces in that country;

Whereas the Governments of the United States and Japan,

in the Special Action Committee on Okinawa Final Report issued by the United States-Japan Security Consultative Committee established by the two countries, have

made commitments to reducing the burdens of United

States forces on the people of Okinawa;

Whereas such commitments will maintain the operational capability and readiness of United States forces;
3

SRES 58 IS

Whereas the people of Okinawa have borne a disproportionate

share of the burdens of United States military bases in

Japan; and

Whereas gaining the understanding and support of the people

of Okinawa in fulfilling these commitments is crucial to

effective implementation of the Treaty: Now, therefore,

be it

1 Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that—

2 (1) the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Se3 curity Between the United States of America and

4 Japan remains vital to the security interests of the

5 United States and Japan, as well as the security in6 terests of the countries of the Asia-Pacific region;

7 and

8 (2) the people of Okinawa deserve special rec9 ognition and gratitude for their contributions toward

10 ensuring the treaty’s implementation and regional

11 peace and stability.

Æ