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[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 217 Referred in Senate (RFS)]

  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 217

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            October 17, 2001

      Received and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

 
 Recognizing the historic significance of the 50th anniversary of the 
   alliance between Australia and the United States under the ANZUS 
  Treaty, recognizing the strong support provided by Australia to the 
 United States in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on September 
 11, 2001, including jointly invoking Article IV of the ANZUS Treaty, 
   which commits both countries to act to meet a common danger, and 
reaffirming the importance of economic and security cooperation between 
                    the United States and Australia.

Whereas the relationship between the United States and Australia extends beyond 
        security cooperation and is based on common values, mutual respect, and 
        a shared desire to see a world at peace in which all peoples can enjoy 
        the benefits of democratic governance, fundamental human rights, and the 
        prosperity that market-oriented economies bring;
Whereas the United States and Australia are jointly committed to combating 
        terrorism around the world;
Whereas the United States and Australia share a wide range of common interests 
        in Asia and the Pacific, such as growth and liberalization of 
        international trade, regional cooperation on economic development, 
        environmental protection, and the peaceful settlement of disputes;
Whereas the United States and Australia share the goals of effective 
        multilateral cooperation in arms control and nonproliferation, halting 
        the spread of weapons of mass destruction, and ensuring the effective 
        operation of 
        nonproliferation and arms control regimes;
Whereas the Australia-United States Trade and Investment Framework Agreement 
        (TIFA) provides for consultations on trade and investment policy issues;
Whereas since 1985 the United States and Australia have held annual bilateral 
        Australia-United States Ministerial Talks (AUSMIN) to develop and 
        enhance their relationship;
Whereas United States Presidential visits to Australia in 1991 and 1996 and 
        visits of the Australian Prime Minister to the United States in 1995, 
        1997, and 1999 have underscored the strength and closeness of the 
        alliance;
Whereas the Sydney Declaration of 1996 reaffirmed and strengthened the defense 
        alliance between the United States and Australia and the intention of 
        both countries to work cooperatively with other states in the region and 
        to encourage collective solutions to problems and security challenges in 
        the region;
Whereas the United States and Australia are committed to close bilateral 
        cooperation on legal, counternarcotics, and other global issues through 
        the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) of 1997;
Whereas the United States and Australia have worked together closely in the 
        World Trade Organization (WTO), as active members of the Asia-Pacific 
        Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, and as strong supporters of the 
        Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the ASEAN Regional 
        Forum (ARF) to encourage and improve regional cohesion;
Whereas the various phases of the multinational and United Nations operations in 
        East Timor were a striking example of regional cooperation to achieve 
        shared goals;
Whereas as evidenced by the recent situation in East Timor and the economic 
        crisis of 1997, the international and economic security in the Asia-
        Pacific region is dynamic and the vitality and relevance of the alliance 
        since the end of the Cold War is obvious;
Whereas the alliance between the United States and Australia during World War II 
        was formalized in a 1951 security treaty commonly referred to as the 
        ``ANZUS Treaty'', which provides that the United States and Australia 
        will act to meet a common danger in the event of an armed attack in the 
        Pacific against either country and strengthen the fabric of peace in the 
        Pacific region;
Whereas Australia and the United States have maintained a close relationship 
        with one another, and with the United Nations, regional organizations, 
        associations, and other authorities in the Pacific region as a means to 
        maintain international peace and security;
Whereas forces of the United States and Australia have served alongside one 
        another in many theaters of war and as part of United Nations 
        peacekeeping operations throughout the world;
Whereas the alliance between the United States and Australia has been 
        characterized by an extraordinary degree of cooperation that includes 
        information sharing, combined exercises, joint training and educational 
        programs, and joint facilities;
Whereas the Australia-United States security relationship, having proved its 
        value for five decades, will remain a cornerstone of Asia-Pacific 
        security into the 21st century; and
Whereas September 1, 2001, marks the 50th anniversary of the ANZUS Treaty: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That Congress--
            (1) expresses its appreciation to the Government and people 
        of Australia for the support given to the United States in the 
        aftermath of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001;
            (2) pays tribute to the relationship between the United 
        States and Australia and looks forward to the continued growth 
        and development of all aspects of the relationship;
            (3) reaffirms the commitment of the United States to its 
        alliance with Australia under the ANZUS Treaty and to the 
        importance of security cooperation between the United States 
        and Australia and the importance of their mutual security 
        commitments, as was demonstrated by their joint decision to 
        invoke Article IV of the Treaty, which commits both countries 
        to act to meet a common danger;
            (4) reaffirms the importance of the trade and economic 
        relationship between Australia and the United States and 
        expresses its commitment to further strengthen it; and
            (5) expresses its strong support for continued close 
        cooperation between Australia and the United States on economic 
        and security issues in the Asia-Pacific region and globally.

            Passed the House of Representatives October 16, 2001.

            Attest:

                                                 JEFF TRANDAHL,

                                                                 Clerk.
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