IV

103D CONGRESS

1ST SESSION H. CON. RES. 180

Expressing the sense of the Congress with respect to the South Pacific

region.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

NOVEMBER 15, 1993

Mr. ACKERMAN (for himself, Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA, and Mr. LEACH) submitted

the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee

on Foreign Affairs

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Expressing the sense of the Congress with respect to the

South Pacific region.

Whereas the United States has strong and enduring economic, political, and strategic ties with the South Pacific

region, which are integral to the achievement of a New

Pacific Community;

Whereas the countries of the region play a constructive international role, were supportive of the United States

throughout the Cold War and continue to support its role

in ensuring regional stability and security, and share a

commitment to democratic values, free-markets, and

human rights;

Whereas the United States is geographically and historically

a member of the Pacific community and has unique rela-
2

•HCON 180 IH

tionships with, and responsibilities to, its Pacific Island

territories, freely associated states, and former territories;

Whereas the United States has significant and expanding

commercial interests in the South Pacific and enjoys a

substantial trade surplus with countries of the region,

and the promotion of commercial links between the

United States and countries of the region is welcomed as

providing a necessary foundation for future economic

well-being;

Whereas the region’s fisheries resources are of vital importance to the economic well-being of Pacific Island countries and have provided lucrative commercial opportunities for the United States fishing industry, and the effective management of these resources and the continued

functioning of the South Pacific Fisheries Treaty are

essential;

Whereas the United States has been welcomed as a member

of South Pacific regional organizations, including the

South Pacific Commission and the South Pacific Regional Environmental Program, and as a dialogue partner of the South Pacific Forum;

Whereas environmental issues can bear directly on the economic and physical security of countries in the South Pacific region, have the potential to effect the well-being of

United States citizens in the Pacific region, and can only

be dealt with effectively at the regional and global level;

Whereas peoples of the South Pacific have actively contributed to the development of a peaceful international community through their constructive participation in international forums, including the United Nations and its

peacekeeping operations, and through support for the
3

•HCON 180 IH

South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone, the Treaty on the NonProliferation of Nuclear Weapons, and the Chemical

Weapons Convention;

Whereas United States leadership in extending its nuclear

testing moratorium is warmly welcomed by countries of

the South Pacific, and countries of the South Pacific

have shown understanding for United States efforts to

dispose of its chemical weapons stockpile while emphasizing the importance of the United States commitment to

close the Johnston Atoll Chemical Agent Destruction

System when the current program of chemical weapons

and agent destruction is completed;

Whereas there has been only one Heads-of-Government summit involving the President of the United States and Pacific Island leaders, and there is considerable value in

dialogue at a senior political level with all countries of the

region;

Whereas the United States has reduced its diplomatic presence in the South Pacific to a minimum, and there are

reports that the Agency for International Development is

considering closing posts in the region and concerns that

the current very modest program of United States foreign assistance to Pacific Island countries may be reduced; and

Whereas the United States has an opportunity to bolster its

links with the Pacific Island countries through the negotiation of a Joint Declaration of Cooperation: Now, therefore, be it

1 Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate

2 concurring), That it is the sense of the Congress that—
4

•HCON 180 IH

1 (1) it is in the national interest for the United

2 States to remain actively engaged in the South Pa3 cific region as a means of supporting the important

4 United States commercial and strategic interests,

5 and to encourage the consolidation of democratic

6 values;

7 (2) the United States should encourage eco8 nomic, trade, and investment relationships with the

9 countries of the South Pacific, in particular through

10 the Joint Commercial Commission and its working

11 group, and through other Asia/Pacific regional

12 forums;

13 (3) the United States should seek to maintain

14 its diplomatic presence, and its Agency for Inter15 national Development missions, in the South Pacific

16 region;

17 (4) notwithstanding current fiscal constraints,

18 the executive branch, particularly the Department of

19 State, should work actively with the Congress to at

20 least maintain, and if possible increase, the very

21 modest levels of foreign assistance provided to the

22 region and to encourage the active participation in

23 the region of other international donors;

24 (5) the United States has interests in preserv25 ing the natural resources and biodiversity of the
5

•HCON 180 IH

1 South Pacific region, and is uniquely positioned to

2 promote sustainable development through active par3 ticipation in the South Pacific Regional Environ4 mental Program and the United Nations Global

5 Conference for the Sustainable Development of

6 Small Island States and through implementation of

7 the Biodiversity and Climate Conventions;

8 (6) the United States should cooperate closely

9 with regional governments to strengthen sustainable

10 management principles and practices as they apply

11 to the region’s fisheries resources;

12 (7) the United States should avail itself of the

13 opportunity for contact with leaders of all South Pa14 cific countries through regular Ministerial/Cabinet

15 level meetings, including at the South Pacific Forum

16 dialogue, to ensure that the views of regional govern17 ments are given consideration in policy deliberations;

18 and

19 (8) the United States should take an active in20 terest in the proposed Joint Declaration of Coopera21 tion between the United States and certain Pacific

22 Island governments as an opportunity for the United

23 States to renew its commitment to the region.

Æ