*EPF509 10/27/00
Text: House Approves Pacific Charter Commission Bill
(Commission to study diplomatic, trade relations with Asia) (410)

The U.S. government will fund a special commission to study diplomatic and trade relations with Asia under a bill passed by the House of Representatives October 27.

Following is the text of the House International Relations Committee press release on the bill:

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HOUSE INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE
PRESS RELEASE

DATE: October 27, 2000

FOR RELEASE: Immediate

HOUSE APPROVES GILMAN'S PACIFIC CHARTER COMMISSION BILL

WASHINGTON (Oct. 27) -- The U.S. government will fund a special commission to study diplomatic and trade relations with Asia under a bill passed by the House of Representatives today. The legislation, authored by U.S. Rep. Benjamin A. Gilman (20th-NY), Chairman of the House International Relations Committee, passed vote of 384-2 and now awaits final Senate approval.

"It is gratifying that the House has taken this step to prepare our nation in the Pacific region for the 21st Century," said Gilman.

"As our trading and diplomatic ties to Asia grow over the coming years, it is imperative that we set the standards and milestones that will guide our governmental policies. The Pacific Charter Commission will help our nation achieve a bipartisan, productive policy toward the nations of Asia," Gilman continued.

The legislation, S. 2943, authorizes $2.5 million for each of fiscal years 2001 and 2002 for the establishment of a Pacific Charter Commission to carry out and monitor projects in the Pacific region of Asia with regard to human rights, rule of law, and security issues and to advise the Congress on significant foreign policy issues of interests to the United States.

The Pacific Charter Commission will provide independent policy analysis with regard to the manner in which the foreign policy of the United States is carried out and be of great service to the Congress and to the American people.

Gilman noted that the Pacific Charter is "based on the concept of the Atlantic Charter of 1941, and will foster our basic interests of democracy, human rights and the rule of law in the Pacific region."

The Commission will be comprised of seven members with appropriate expertise. The bill permits the selection of an executive director and the Commission will conclude its work within five years of the date of the bill's enactment.

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(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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