IV

107TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION H. CON. RES. 217

Recognizing the historic significance of the fiftieth anniversary of the alliance

between Australia and the United States under the ANZUS Treaty,

paying tribute to the United States-Australia relationship, reaffirming

the importance of economic and security cooperation between the United

States and Australia, and welcoming the state visit by Australian Prime

Minister John Howard.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

SEPTEMBER 6, 2001

Mr. HYDE (for himself, Mr. LANTOS, Mr. LEACH, Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA, and

Mr. ISSA), submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on International Relations

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Recognizing the historic significance of the fiftieth anniversary of the alliance between Australia and the United

States under the ANZUS Treaty, paying tribute to the

United States-Australia relationship, reaffirming the importance of economic and security cooperation between

the United States and Australia, and welcoming the state

visit by Australian Prime Minister John Howard.

Whereas the relationship between the United States and Australia goes well beyond security cooperation and is based

on common values, mutual respect, and the desire to see

a world at peace in which all peoples can enjoy the bene-
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fits of democratic governance, fundamental human rights,

and the prosperity that market-oriented economies bring;

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
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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 members 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 the 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
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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;

Whereas September 1, 2001, marks the 50th anniversary of

ANZUS; and

Whereas Australian Prime Minister John Howard is making

a state visit to Washington from September 8 to September 12, 2001: Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate

2 concurring), That Congress—

3 (1) pays tribute to the relationship between the

4 United States and Australia and looks forward to

5 the continued growth and development of all aspects

6 of the relationship;

7 (2) reaffirms the commitment of the United

8 States to its alliance with Australia under the

9 ANZUS Treaty and to the importance of security

10 cooperation between the United States and Australia

11 and the importance of their mutual security commit12 ments;
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1 (3) reaffirms the importance of the trade and

2 economic relationship between Australia and the

3 United States and expresses its commitment to fur4 ther strengthen it;

5 (4) expresses its strong support for continued

6 close cooperation between Australia and the United

7 States on economic and security issues in the Asia8 Pacific region and globally; and

9 (5) welcomes the state visit by Australian

10 Prime Minister John Howard.

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