Australia Commits Forces To Anti-terrorism Coalition

16 October 2001

Australia Commits Forces To Anti-terrorism Coalition

House Commemorates 50th Anniversary of U.S.-Australian Alliance

A resolution hailing the 50th anniversary of a defense treaty between the United States and Australia passed the House of Representatives October 16 in a 413-1 vote.

House Concurrent Resolution 217 (H. Con. Res. 217) had been planned to coincide with the visit of Australia's Prime Minister John Howard to America in September to honor the 50th anniversary of the treaty, and the relationship between the two democracies.

However, the terrorist attacks against the United States while Howard was in Washington, D.C. caused Congress to delay consideration of the resolution while America recovered from the incident that left more than 5,000 men, women, and children either dead or missing.

The resolution expresses the appreciation of Congress "to the Government and people of Australia for the support given to the United States in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001."

The two long-time allies jointly invoked Article IV of the Australia-New Zealand-United States (ANZUS) Treaty, which commits Australia and the United States to act to meet common threats, in response to the terrorist attacks on the United States.

H. Con. Res. 217 also pays tribute to the relationship between the United States and Australia and "looks forward to the continued growth and development of all aspects of the relationship."

H. Con. Res. 217 cited how the United States and Australia "have served alongside one another in many theaters of war and as part of United Nations peacekeeping operations throughout the world."

Australia and the United States have fought as allies in World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and the Gulf War. In the current war against international terrorism, Australia has once again lined up with the United States by committing troops, aircraft and naval vessels.

The resolution passed just as the Capitol Building itself became the target of an anthrax attack.

Following is the text of House Concurrent Resolution 217:

107th Congress
1st Session
H. CON. RES. 217
Concurrent Resolution

Recognizing the historic significance of the 50th anniversary of the alliance between Australia and the United States under the ANZUS Treaty, recognizing the strong support provided by Australia to the United States in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, including jointly invoking Article IV of the ANZUS Treaty, which commits both countries to act to meet a common danger, and reaffirming the importance of economic and security cooperation between the United States and Australia.

HCON 217 EH
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;

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 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 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

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That Congress--

(2) pays tribute to the relationship between the United States and Australia and looks forward to the continued growth and development of all aspects of the relationship;

(3) reaffirms the commitment of the United States to its alliance with Australia under the ANZUS Treaty and to the importance of security cooperation between the United States and Australia and the importance of their mutual security commitments, as was demonstrated by their joint decision to invoke Article IV of the Treaty, which commits both countries to act to meet a common danger;

(4) reaffirms the importance of the trade and economic relationship between Australia and the United States and expresses its commitment to further strengthen it; and

(5) expresses its strong support for continued close cooperation between Australia and the United States on economic and security issues in the Asia-Pacific region and globally.

Passed the House of Representatives October 16, 2001.

Attest:

Clerk.