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[Congressional Bills 112th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 208 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

112th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 208

   Expressing the sense of the Senate regarding Mongolian President 
Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj's visit to Washington, D.C., and its support for 
    the growing partnership between the United States and Mongolia.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             June 15, 2011

   Mr. Kerry (for himself, Mr. McCain, Ms. Murkowski, and Mr. Webb) 
 submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
   Expressing the sense of the Senate regarding Mongolian President 
Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj's visit to Washington, D.C., and its support for 
    the growing partnership between the United States and Mongolia.

Whereas the United States Government established diplomatic relations with the 
        Government of Mongolia in January 1987, followed by the opening of a 
        United States Embassy in Ulaanbaatar in June 1988;
Whereas in 1990, the Government of Mongolia declared an end to 1-party Communist 
        rule and initiated lasting democratic and free market reforms;
Whereas the United States Government has a longstanding commitment, based on its 
        interests and values, to encourage economic and political reforms in 
        Mongolia, having made sizeable contributions to that end since 1991;
Whereas in 1991, the United States--

    (1) signed a bilateral trade agreement that restored normal trade 
relations with Mongolia; and

    (2) established a Peace Corps program in Mongolia that has had 869 
total volunteers since 1991;

Whereas in 1999, the United States granted permanent normal trade relations 
        status to Mongolia;
Whereas the Government of Mongolia has increasingly participated in the 
        International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, 
        and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, among other 
        international organizations;
Whereas in 2007, the House Democracy Partnership began a program to provide 
        parliamentary assistance to the State Great Khural, the Parliament of 
        Mongolia, to promote transparency, legislative independence, access to 
        information and government oversight;
Whereas on May 24, 2009, the people of Mongolia completed the country's fourth 
        free, fair, and peaceful democratic election, which resulted in the 
        election of opposition Democratic Party candidate Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj;
Whereas in July 2011, Mongolia will assume the 2-year chairmanship of the 
        Community of Democracies;
Whereas in 2013, Mongolia will host the Seventh Ministerial Meeting of the 
        Community of Democracies in Ulaanbaatar;
Whereas the Government of Mongolia continues to work with the United States 
        Government to combat global terrorism;
Whereas Mongolia deployed about 990 soldiers to Iraq between 2003 to 2008 and 
        currently has 190 troops in Afghanistan;
Whereas in 2010, the Government of Mongolia deployed a United Nations Level II 
        hospital in Darfur, Sudan;
Whereas the Government of Mongolia has actively promoted international 
        peacekeeping efforts by sending soldiers--

    (1) to protect the Special Court of Sierra Leone;

    (2) to support the North Atlantic Treaty Organization mission in 
Kosovo; and

    (3) to support United Nations missions in several African countries;

Whereas the Government of Mongolia has built a successful partnership since 2003 
        with the Alaska National Guard that includes humanitarian and 
        peacekeeping exercises and efforts;
Whereas the United States Government and the Government of Mongolia share a 
        common interest in promoting peace and stability in Northeast Asia and 
        Central Asia;
Whereas in 1991 and 1992, the Government of Mongolia signed denuclearization 
        agreements committing Mongolia to remain a nuclear weapons-free state;
Whereas in 2010, Mongolia became the Chair of the Board of Governors of the 
        International Atomic Energy Agency;
Whereas in 2010, the United States and Mongolia signed a Memorandum of 
        Understanding to promote cooperation on the peaceful use of civil 
        nuclear energy;
Whereas the National Nuclear Security Administration and the Nuclear Energy 
        Agency of the Government of Mongolia successfully completed training on 
        response mechanisms to potential terrorist attacks;
Whereas between 1991 and 2011, the United States Government granted assistance 
        to Mongolia--

    (1) to advance the legal and regulatory environment for business and 
financial markets, including the mining sector;

    (2) to promote the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions; and

    (3) to support good governance programming;

Whereas in 2007, the Millennium Challenge Corporation signed an agreement with 
        Mongolia to promote sustainable economic growth and to reduce poverty by 
        focusing on property rights, vocational education, health, 
        transportation, energy, and the environment;
Whereas Mongolia's plan to enhance its rail infrastructure promises to diversify 
        its trading and investment partners, to open up new markets for its 
        mineral exports, and to position Mongolia as a bridge between Asia and 
        Europe;
Whereas the United States has assisted Mongolia's efforts--

    (1) to address the effects of the global economic crisis;

    (2) to promote sound economic, trade, and energy policy, with 
particular attention to the banking and mining sectors;

    (3) to facilitate commercial law development; and

    (4) to further activities with Mongolia's peacekeeping forces and 
military;

Whereas in January 2010--

    (1) the United States Government and the Government of Mongolia agreed 
to promote greater academic exchange opportunities;

    (2) the Mongolian Ministry of Education, Culture and Science pledged to 
financially support the U.S.-Mongolia Fulbright Program; and

    (3) the United States Department of State announced its intention to 
increase its base allocation for the U.S.-Mongolia Fulbright Program in 
fiscal year 2010;

Whereas in 2011, Mongolia is celebrating the 100 year anniversary of its 
        independence;
Whereas on June 16, 2011, President Elbegdorj, during a working visit to the 
        United States, is scheduled to meet with President Barack Obama, 
        Congressional leaders, academics, and representatives of the business 
        community;
Whereas in late 2011, Vice President Joseph Biden is scheduled to travel to 
        Mongolia to highlight our shared interests and values;
Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that--
            (1) Mongolian President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj's historic 
        visit to Washington, D.C. cements the growing friendship 
        between the governments and peoples of the United States and 
        Mongolia;
            (2) the continued commitment of the Mongolian people and 
        the Government of Mongolia to advancing democratic reforms, 
        strengthening transparency and the rule of law, and protecting 
        investment deserves acknowledgment and celebration;
            (3) the United States Government should--
                    (A) continue to promote economic cooperation; and
                    (B) consider next steps in securing increased 
                investment and trade to promote prosperity for both 
                countries;
            (4) the United States Government should continue to support 
        the Government of Mongolia as it works with the International 
        Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, and 
        the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to improve 
        its economic system and accelerate development; and
            (5) the United States Government should continue to expand 
        upon existing academic, cultural, and other people-to-people 
        exchanges with Mongolia.
                                 <all>
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