•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 impor-
tance to the economic well-being of Pacific Island coun-
tries and have provided lucrative commercial opportuni-
ties for the United States fishing industry, and the effec-
tive 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 Re-
gional Environmental Program, and as a dialogue part-
ner of the South Pacific Forum;
Whereas environmental issues can bear directly on the eco-
nomic and physical security of countries in the South Pa-
cific 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 contrib-
uted to the development of a peaceful international com-
munity through their constructive participation in inter-
national forums, including the United Nations and its
peacekeeping operations, and through support for the
•HCON 180 IH
South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone, the Treaty on the Non-
Proliferation 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 emphasiz-
ing 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 sum-
mit involving the President of the United States and Pa-
cific 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 pres-
ence 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 for-
eign assistance to Pacific Island countries may be re-
duced; and
Whereas the United States has an opportunity to bolster its
links with the Pacific Island countries through the nego-
tiation of a Joint Declaration of Cooperation: Now, there-
fore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That it is the sense of the Congress that—
•HCON 180 IH
(1) it is in the national interest for the United
States to remain actively engaged in the South Pa-
cific region as a means of supporting the important
United States commercial and strategic interests,
and to encourage the consolidation of democratic
values;
(2) the United States should encourage eco-
nomic, trade, and investment relationships with the
countries of the South Pacific, in particular through
the Joint Commercial Commission and its working
group, and through other Asia/Pacific regional
forums;
(3) the United States should seek to maintain
its diplomatic presence, and its Agency for Inter-
national Development missions, in the South Pacific
region;
(4) notwithstanding current fiscal constraints,
the executive branch, particularly the Department of
State, should work actively with the Congress to at
least maintain, and if possible increase, the very
modest levels of foreign assistance provided to the
region and to encourage the active participation in
the region of other international donors;
(5) the United States has interests in preserv-
ing the natural resources and biodiversity of the
•HCON 180 IH
South Pacific region, and is uniquely positioned to
promote sustainable development through active par-
ticipation in the South Pacific Regional Environ-
mental Program and the United Nations Global
Conference for the Sustainable Development of
Small Island States and through implementation of
the Biodiversity and Climate Conventions;
(6) the United States should cooperate closely
with regional governments to strengthen sustainable
management principles and practices as they apply
to the region’s fisheries resources;
(7) the United States should avail itself of the
opportunity for contact with leaders of all South Pa-
cific countries through regular Ministerial/Cabinet
level meetings, including at the South Pacific Forum
dialogue, to ensure that the views of regional govern-
ments are given consideration in policy deliberations;
and
(8) the United States should take an active in-
terest in the proposed Joint Declaration of Coopera-
tion between the United States and certain Pacific
Island governments as an opportunity for the United
States to renew its commitment to the region.
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