b. Reaffirming the United States Commitment to the North Atlantic Alliance Public Law 96-9 [H.J. Res. 283], 93 Stat. 22, approved April 19, 1979 JOINT RESOLUTION Reaffirming the United States commitment to the North Atlantic Alliance. Whereas April 4, 1979, marks the thirtieth anniversary of the signing in Washington of the North Atlantic Treaty; Whereas the alliance created by the treaty constitutes the manifestation of the ties which bind the democracies of Europe and North America and of their determination to preserve their common heritage of individual liberties, the rule of law, and the dignity of humankind; Whereas the peace and stability insured by the alliance for thirty years has fostered the well-being and freedom of nearly six hundred million human beings; Whereas the conditions for political stability and economic prosperity derive from the military security provided by the alliance; and Whereas the search for world peace, mutual respect among the nations of the world, and reduction in armaments are attainable only in a secure environment: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the North Atlantic Alliance be reaffirmed as a vital commitment and cornerstone of United States foreign policy, and that the bipartisan spirit that inspired its birth be rededicated to the purpose of strengthening it further in the cause of peace and security. SEC. 2. The Congress recognizes the contribution of the Canadian and European Allies to the common defense and to the preservation of the civilization and common heritage of the West. SEC. 3. On the occasion of this thirtieth anniversary, the Congress pledges its support for the Alliance as the indispensable basis for the achievement of our mutual security, the reduction of tensions, and the pursuit of improved relations among all nations. SEC. 4. The Congress requests that the President of the United States forward copies of this resolution to the Chiefs of State of all member countries of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and to the Secretary General in recognition of his contribution to the strength and confidence of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. c. Reaffirming the Unity of the North Atlantic Alliance Public Law 95-287 [S.J. Res. 137], 92 Stat. 280, approved May 30, 1978 JOINT RESOLUTION Reaffirming the unity of the North Atlantic Alliance commitment. Whereas thirty years ago the Congress passed the Vandenberg Resolution, which has come to represent the highest qualities of bipartisan statesmanship; and Whereas the North Atlantic Alliance has preserved the peace in Europe for an entire generation, allowing its members to attain unprecedented levels of prosperity and well-being for their people; and Whereas the leaders of the Alliance will gather in Washington, D.C., on May 30 and 31, 1978, to renew their adherence to its principles and rededicate themselves to its objectives; and Whereas this meeting will be the capstone of efforts to ensure that the needs of collective security will be met over the next decade: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the North Atlantic Alliance be reaffirmed as a vital commitment and cornerstone of United States foreign policy, and that the bipartisan spirit that inspired its birth be rededicated to the purpose of strengthening it further in the cause of peace and security. SEC. 2. The Congress recognizes the extraordinary success of the North Atlantic Alliance in fulfilling its goals of safeguarding the freedom, common heritage and civilization of its peoples, founded on the principles of democracy, individual liberty and the rule of law. SEC. 3. On the occasion of the NATO summit meeting in Washington, the Congress declares its support for efforts to reaffirm the unity of the North Atlantic Alliance, to strengthen its defensive capabilities to meet threats to the peace, and on this basis to persevere in attempts to lessen tensions with the Warsaw Pact States. 7. Taiwan Relations a. Taiwan Relations Act Public Law 96–8 [H.R. 2479], 93 Stat. 14, approved April 10, 1979; as amended by Public Law 98-164 [Department of State Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1984 and 1985; H.R. 2915], 97 Stat. 1017 at 1061, approved November 22, 1983 AN ACT To help maintain peace, security, and stability in the Western Pacific and to promote the foreign policy of the United States by authorizing the continuation of commercial, cultural, and other relations between the people of the United States and the people on Taiwan, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SHORT TITLE SECTION 1. This Act may be cited as the "Taiwan Relations Act". FINDINGS AND DECLARATION OF POLICY SEC. 2.1 (a) The President having terminated governmental relations between the United States and the governing authorities on Taiwan recognized by the United States as the Republic of China prior to January 1, 1979, the Congress finds that the enactment of this Act is necessary— (1) to help maintain peace, security, and stability in the Western Pacific; and (2) to promote the foreign policy of the United States by authorizing the continuation of commercial, cultural, and other relations between the people of the United States and the people on Taiwan. (b) It is the policy of the United States (1) to preserve and promote extensive, close, and friendly commercial, cultural, and other relations between the people of the United States and the people on Taiwan, as well as the people on the China mainland and all other peoples of the Western Pacific area; (2) to declare that peace and stability in the area are in the political, security, and economic interests of the United States, and are matters of international concern; (3) to make clear that the United States decision to establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China rests upon the expectation that the future of Taiwan will be determined by peaceful means; (4) to consider any effort to determine the future of Taiwan by other than peaceful means, including by boycotts or embar 1 22 U.S.C. 3301. goes, a threat to the peace and security of the Western Pacific area and of grave concern to the United States; (5) to provide Taiwan with arms of a defensive character; and (6) to maintain the capacity of the United States to resist any resort to force or other forms of coercion that would jeopardize the security, or the social or economical system, of the people on Taiwan. (c) Nothing contained in this Act shall contravene the interest of the United States in human rights, especially with respect to the human rights of all the approximately eighteen million inhabitants of Taiwan. The preservation and enhancement of the human rights of all the people on Taiwan are hereby reaffirmed as objectives of the United States. IMPLEMENTATION OF UNITED STATES POLICY WITH REGARD TO TAIWAN SEC. 3.2 (a) In furtherance of the policy set forth in section 2 of this Act, the United States will make available to Taiwan such defense articles and defense services in such quantity as may be necessary to enable Taiwan to maintain a sufficient self-defense capability.3 (b) The President and the Congress shall determine the nature and quantity of such defense articles and services based solely upon their judgment of the needs of Taiwan, in accordance with procedures established by law. Such determination of Taiwan's defense needs shall include review by United States military authorities in connection with recommendations to the President and the Congress. (c) The President is directed to inform the Congress promptly of any threat to the security or the social or economic system of the people on Taiwan and any danger to the interests of the United States arising therefrom. The President and the Congress shall determine, in accordance with constitutional processes, appropriate action by the United States in response to any such danger. APPLICATION OF LAWS; INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS SEC. 4.4 (a) The absence of diplomatic relations or recognition shall not affect the application of the laws of the United States with respect to Taiwan, and the law of the United States shall apply with respect to Taiwan in the manner that the laws of the United States applied with respect to Taiwan prior to January 1, 1979. (b) The application of subsection (a) of this section shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following: (1) Whenever the laws of the United States refer or relate to foreign countries, nations, states, governments, or similar enti 2 22 U.S.C. 3302. 3 Sec. 23 of the International Security Assistance Act of 1979 (Public Law 96-92; 93 Stat. 710) provided authorization for the President to transfer to Taiwan war reserve material and other property during calendar years 1980 and 1981. For text of sec. 23, see Legislation on Foreign Relations Through 1993, vol. I-A, page 509. 4 22 U.S.C. 3303. ties, such terms shall include and such laws shall apply with respect to Taiwan. (2) Whenever authorized by or pursuant to the laws of the United States to conduct or carry out programs, transactions, or other relations with respect to foreign countries, nations, states, governments, or similar entities, the President or any agency of the United States Government is authorized to conduct and carry out, in accordance with section 6 of this Act, such programs, transactions, and other relations with respect to Taiwan (including, but not limited to, the performance of services for the United States through contracts with commercial entities on Taiwan), in accordance with the applicable laws of the United States. (3)(A) The absence of diplomatic relations and recognition with respect to Taiwan shall not abrogate, infringe, modify, deny, or otherwise affect in any way any rights or obligations (including but not limited to those involving contracts, debts, or property interests of any kind) under the laws of the United States heretofore or hereafter acquired by or with respect to Taiwan. (B) For all purposes under the laws of the United States, including actions in any court in the United States, recognition of the People's Republic of China shall not affect in any way the ownership of or other rights or interests in properties, tangible and intangible, and other things of value, owned or held on or prior to December 31, 1978, or thereafter acquired or earned by the governing authorities on Taiwan. (4) Whenever the application of the laws of the United States depends upon the law that is or was applicable on Taiwan or compliance therewith, the law applied by the people on Taiwan shall be considered the applicable law for that purpose. (5) Nothing in this Act, nor the facts of the President's action in extending diplomatic recognition to the People's Republic of China, the absence of diplomatic relations between the people on Taiwan and the United States, or the lack of recognition by the United States, and attendant circumstances thereto, shall be construed in any administrative or judicial proceeding as a basis for any United States Government agency, commission, or department to make a finding of fact or determination of law, under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Act of 1978, to deny an export license application or to revoke an existing export license for nuclear exports to Taiwan. (6) For purposes of the Immigration and Nationality Act, Taiwan may be treated in the manner specified in the first sentence of section 202(b) of that Act.5 5 Sec. 714 of the International Security and Development Cooperation Act of 1981 (Public Law 97-113; 95 Stat. 1548) provided the following: "Sec. 714. The approval referred to in the first sentence of section 202(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act shall be considered to have been granted with respect to Taiwan (China).". The first sentence of such sec. 202(b) stated: “Each independent country, self-governing dominion, mandated territory, and territory under the international trusteeship system of the United Nations, other than the United States and its outlying possessions shall be treated as a separate Continued |