107TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION H. CON. RES. 217

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Recognizing the historic significance of the 50th

anniversary of the alliance between Australia andthe United States under the ANZUS Treaty, recognizing the strong support provided by Australia to the United States in the aftermath ofthe terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, including jointly invoking Article IV of the ANZUSTreaty, which commits both countries to act tomeet a common danger, and reaffirming the importance of economic and security cooperationbetween the United States and Australia.
107TH CONGRESS

1ST SESSION H. CON. RES. 217

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

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;
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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
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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 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
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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;

and

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

the ANZUS Treaty: Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate

2 concurring), That Congress—

3 (1) expresses its appreciation to the Govern4 ment and people of Australia for the support given

5 to the United States in the aftermath of the ter6 rorist attacks on September 11, 2001;

7 (2) pays tribute to the relationship between the

8 United States and Australia and looks forward to

9 the continued growth and development of all aspects

10 of the relationship;

11 (3) reaffirms the commitment of the United

12 States to its alliance with Australia under the

13 ANZUS Treaty and to the importance of security

14 cooperation between the United States and Australia

15 and the importance of their mutual security commit-
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1 ments, as was demonstrated by their joint decision

2 to invoke Article IV of the Treaty, which commits

3 both countries to act to meet a common danger;

4 (4) reaffirms the importance of the trade and

5 economic relationship between Australia and the

6 United States and expresses its commitment to fur7 ther strengthen it; and

8 (5) expresses its strong support for continued

9 close cooperation between Australia and the United

10 States on economic and security issues in the Asia11 Pacific region and globally.

Passed the House of Representatives October 16,

2001.

Attest:

Clerk.