16 October 2001

Lawmakers Note Australia's Efforts to Fight Terrorism

Lawmakers took to the floor of the House of Representatives October 16 to celebrate the strength of the U.S.-Australia alliance and to note Australia's efforts thus far to help combat terrorism.

Lawmakers approved House Concurrent Resolution (H. Con. Res. 217) in a 413-1 vote. The resolution, which commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Australia-New Zealand-United States (ANZUS) Treaty, had been planned to coincide with the visit of Australia's Prime Minister John Howard in September but was delayed by the September 11 terrorist attacks.

The bonds that link the United States and Australia "are far deeper than those outlined in a simple piece of paper, regardless of its undoubted importance," said Representative Henry Hyde (Republican of Illinois), the chairman of the House International Relations Committee.

The two peoples, Hyde continued, "share common origins, common political institutions and governing principles, a common commitment to peace and freedom around the world."

Hyde noted that the commitment of the two nations has been tested "many times in the past century, when Australian and U.S. forces fought side by side in a series of conflicts from World War I and World War II to the wars in Vietnam and the Persian Gulf."

Many of America's fallen, he added, share "common graves" with their Australian allies.

"The knowledge that we do not face our challenges alone, that we will meet them with steadfast partners such as Australia, is of incalculable importance and reassurance to the United States," Hyde told fellow lawmakers.

"It is for these and other reasons that I call up this resolution, recognizing the historic significance of the 50th anniversary of the alliance between Australia and the United States under the ANZUS Treaty," Hyde said.

Representative Tom Lantos (Democrat of California), the ranking minority member of the House International Relations Committee and the co-chairman of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus, said Australia's "outstanding response" to the September 11 terror attacks "has given us a firsthand opportunity to appreciate fully the strength of the relationship between the United States and Australia and the role that this treaty can play in furthering our relationship."

Howard was in Washington when the terror attacks occurred, Lantos noted, and on September 12 "joined us in this very hall to hear President Bush address the Nation."

Prime Minister Howard "had already offered his full and complete support for a strong and united response against the acts of terrorism. And President Bush rightfully acknowledged that strong support," he continued.

Lantos added that on September 14 Australia invoked Article IV of the ANZUS Treaty, which requires the United States and Australia to act to meet a common danger.

On September 28, Lantos said, "Australia froze the assets of all 27 terrorist organizations identified by the President in an executive order, including Osama bin Laden and his cohorts."

On October 4, Lantos continued, "Australia formally committed a wide range of air, ground, and naval forces to join with American forces in the fight against terrorism."

Representative Douglas Bereuter (Republican of Nebraska), a member of the House International Relations Committee and the vice chairman of the House Select Committee on Intelligence, said freedom "flourishes in both countries."

Now the two democracies "are facing a potentially long and complicated war in a world very different from the one which necessitated the ANZUS Treaty," Bereuter said.

The Nebraska Republican urged fellow lawmakers to vote for H. Con. Res. 217 "to show continued support for Australia -- our international cousin, our friend, and our very valuable and trusted ally."

Following are excerpts from the October 16 Congressional Record:

Recognizing Historic Significance Of united States-australian Relationship

House of Representatives

October 16, 2001

Mr. HYDE. Madam Speaker, of the United States' many formal relationships around the world, our alliance with Australia is among the most important and enduring. This year, we celebrate the 50th anniversary of that alliance, one which I am pleased to say is as strong today as when the ANZUS Treaty was signed half a century ago. But the bonds connecting the United States and Australia are far deeper than those outlined in a simple piece of paper, regardless of its undoubted importance. We share common origins, common political institutions and governing principles, a common commitment to peace and freedom around the world. That commitment was tested many times in the past century, when Australian and U.S. forces fought side by side in a series of conflicts from World War I and World War II to the wars in Vietnam and the Persian Gulf. Many of the fallen share common graves.

Today, we recognize not only the past importance of our alliance with Australia but its continuing significance in a new century of unfamiliar challenges and unplumbed dangers. The strength of that alliance was newly demonstrated in the wake of the terrorist attacks on America September 11 when our Australian ally immediately pledged its unconditional support for the United States. That support included the decision by the Australian government to invoke article IV of the ANZUS Treaty which commits both countries to cooperate in responding to an attack. I should note this was the first time that article IV has been jointly invoked in the 50-year history of the ANZUS alliance.

In this new century, the United States and Australia will have need of reliable friends and proven allies. The knowledge that we do not face our challenges alone, that we will meet them with steadfast partners such as Australia, is of incalculable importance and reassurance to the United States. It is for these and other reasons that I call up this resolution, recognizing the historic significance of the 50th anniversary of the alliance between Australia and the United States under the ANZUS Treaty. I look forward to the day when we will celebrate the first century of that alliance.

Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Con. Res. 217.

I would first like to commend Chairman HYDE for introducing this important resolution. . . .

Madam Speaker, 5 weeks ago today, the House was scheduled to consider this important resolution which commemorates the 50th anniversary of the ANZUS treaty. This critical treaty established the strong security bonds between the United States and our friend Australia. Then came the horrendous attacks on the twin towers and the Pentagon. The Capitol was evacuated and the congressional schedule was dramatically altered.

Australia's outstanding response to the September 11 attacks has given us a firsthand opportunity to appreciate fully the strength of the relationship between the United States and Australia and the role that this treaty can play in furthering our relationship.

On the 12th of September, Madam Speaker, Australian Prime Minister John Howard, in Washington for an official visit, joined us in this very hall to hear President Bush address the Nation. The Prime Minister had already offered his full and complete support for a strong and united response against the acts of terrorism. And President Bush rightfully acknowledged that strong support.

On the 14th of September, Australia invoked article IV of the treaty which requires the United States and Australia to act to meet a common danger. And on the 28th of September, Australia froze the assets of all 27 terrorist organizations identified by the President in an executive order, including Osama bin Laden and his cohorts.

On the 4th of October, Australia formally committed a wide range of air, ground, and naval forces to join with American forces in the fight against terrorism, including a detachment of special forces and air-to-air refueling aircraft.

The Australian Government announced that it is ready to consider further military contributions as well.

Madam Speaker, the last 5 weeks have shown that the United States-Australia relationship is stronger than it has ever been, and the reasons for considering this important resolution are more important and compelling today than ever before.

But we should not be surprised at the overwhelmingly positive response of our Australian friends to the September 11 attack. From human rights to trade to international peacekeeping, the United States and Australia have a common agenda, and the relationship between our two nations simply could not be closer.

Australia assumed the leadership role in the Asia-Pacific region and has contributed greatly to the economic and political stability of the region. East Timor is the perfect example of Australia's leadership in the Asia-Pacific area. The Australians led the charge in bringing peace and stability to the troubled island after the Indonesians and the militias they support burned their way out of East Timor. Their military peacekeepers have been the backbone of the United Nations peacekeeping force still in East Timor. We are all pleased, Madam Speaker, that the East Timorese have recently conducted their first free elections since becoming independent from Indonesia.

The resolution before the House today recognizes the importance of the 50th anniversary of the treaty; and it reaffirms the importance of close economic security, political and cultural ties between the United States and our friends in Australia. Our resolution recognizes the strong support provided by Australia to the United States in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist outrage.

Madam Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support H. Con. Res. 217.

Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, as a co-sponsor of House Concurrent Resolution 217, this Member rises in strong support for the bill which recognizes the historic significance of the fiftieth anniversary of the alliance between Australia and the United States under the ANZUS Treaty. The measure also pays tribute to the United States-Australia relationship, reaffirms the importance of economic security cooperation between the United States and Australia, and welcomes the state visit by Australian Prime Minister John Howard.

This member would like to commend the efforts of the distinguished gentleman from Illinois and Chairman of the International Relations Committee (Mr. HYDE), and the distinguished gentleman from California and Ranking Minority Member of the International Relations Committee (Mr. LANTOS) for introducing and moving forward this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, when the ANZUS Treaty was signed on September 1, 1951, no one could have anticipated that 50 years later, Australia would invoke Article 4 of the treaty to assist the U.S. in its efforts against the threat of terrorism. Indeed, the treaty was negotiated and signed during the Cold War when the spread of Communism to Pacific countries loomed as the major threat. It was considered much more likely at that time that the U.S. would need to invoke the treaty to aid and defend the other signatories. Now, the threat of Communism has disappeared, but U.S.-Australian military ties remain very strong and, in fact, poised to defeat the new threats to global security, including threats to financial, transportation, and immigration systems.

Currently, Australia has offered the services of 150 elite Special Air Service soldiers and 2 Royal Australian Air Force Boeing 707 refueling aircraft. Additionally, the Australian Government has indicated that, if necessary, they could contribute long-range surveillance support and an amphibious command ship to the war on terrorism.

Mr. Speaker, this commitment on the part of the Australians is to be commended as is the role it has previously played in defending the shared interests of the U.S. and Australia. Indeed, in every major 20th Century conflict--World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and the Gulf War, Australian forces have joined American forces on the front lines. It is important to note that Australia's defense forces have cooperated and coordinated closely with the U.S. The command, control, and communications systems of both countries in important respects are integrated. Also, Australia has long been designated as one of America's most important non-NATO allies. Japan is the only other country in the Asia-Pacific region to share this distinction.

Not only has Australia been a key ally to the U.S. in previous conflicts and continues to be so in this current conflict, it has been a stabilizing force in its neighborhood. Australia did not shirk from its regional responsibilities when a crisis erupted in East Timor. Australia stepped forward readily, early, and decisively to lead the multi-national peacekeeping intervention in East Timor and it remains a principal guarantor of security there. Australia's continued leadership in the Pacific will be critical following the terrorist attacks of September 11th as Indonesia, a neighbor and the world's most populous Muslim country, and the Philippines grapple with their response to the attacks.

Mr. Speaker, the U.S. and Australia share similar backgrounds as former British colonies and as destinations for huge numbers of immigrants who were seeking a fresh start. Freedom flourishes in both countries. Indeed, the U.S. and Australia are very much like close cousins. Now, we, as cousins, are facing a potentially long and complicated war in a world very different from the one which necessitated the ANZUS Treaty. This Member urges his colleagues to vote for H. Con. Res. 217 to show continued support for Australia--our international cousin, our friend, and our very valuable and trusted ally.

end excerpts