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Statement of Congressman Dana Rohrabacher
Amendments to H.R. 825

"The United States - Macau Policy Act of 1999"
March 4, 1999

Mr. Chairman:

I have three amendments to H.R. 825 that would protect the national security of the United States in U.S. trade and export relations with Macau and would further promote democracy and human rights in student and cultural exchanges with Macau after that Portuguese colony is handed over to the People's Republic of China in December 1999.

The recent findings of the bipartisan Select Committee on Technology Transfers to China describes the ongoing effort by Chinese communists to acquire sensitive American technology to further the unprecedented military buildup which is aimed at the United States and our democratic allies in the Pacific region. The current unclassified CIA country report on Macau states that among Macau's leadership are many "procommunist merchants representing China's interests;" and administratively, “since 1967 the Macau government acceded to China's demands that gave China veto power over administration." The Basic Law between Portugal and China *that sets the terms for the status of Macau under Chinese rule specifically provides for all defense and foreign policy matters to be under the control of China, which assures a dominant presence of the People's Liberation Army and their front companies in all facets of Macau's political and commercial relations with the world.

My first two amendments to Title Two of the Bill are intended to help to prevent the flow of sensitive U.S. dual-use technologies into communist China. The first amendment would assure that the U.S. Commerce Department places Macau, which now has the same liberal U.S. export control status as Portugal, in the same Commerce Department administrative category as the People's Republic of China. The second amendment would delete a clause on export control that is would be covered by my first amendment.

I understand that a primary reason that Mr. Berman proposed that a student and cultural exchange program with the people of Macau be added to the bill is to support the building of democratic institutions in China. My third amendment to Title Three of the Bill would help to assure that democracy and human rights are an important component of student and cultural exchanges with the people of Macau by requiring the participation of the International

Republican Institute and National Democratic Institute in the process of selecting candidates for the exchange program.

Mr. Speaker,

First, I like to applaud the Minority Leader for his efforts to harmonize the arms export policies of different countries to guarantee respect for human rights, democracy, norms of non-aggression, and transparency in arms transfers.

As many of you know, the issue before us is very important to me. Two years ago Representative Rohrabacher and I introduced the Code of Conduct on Arms Transfers Legislation to stop U.S. arms sales to countries that are not democratic or fail to adhere to international standard for human rights. We plan to reintroduce that legislation later this year.

While the bill before us is less ambitious in its scope than our Code of Conduct, it represents in important step forward in the international effort to rein in weapons transfers to rogue nations, and I encourage my colleagues to support it.

WITH IT, we will enshrine into law clear, unambiguous standards for weapons transfers and put us on an equal footing with the 15 nations of the European Union that passed a similar Code of Conduct last year.

WITH IT, we can join the efforts lead by Oscar Arias and 16 of his fellow Nobel Peace laureates to promote an International Code of Conduct in an uncompromised position. Indeed, this legislation will establish the United States in its rightful role as a leader in this international effort.

WITH IT, we will take an important step forward in passing what Defense News described as an "a useful tool to shine light on some nations? darkest human rights and other unsavory secrets."

Still, this bill represents a step forward, not an end unto itself. Thus I am extremely pleased by the commitment made to me yesterday by my colleague, Mr. Gejdenson, to work with me in supporting separate legislation that will identify countries that do not meet the criteria defined in this bill so the Congress can take appropriate action.

And I am hopeful that we will work together to present to this Committee language that will alter U.S. foreign policy with respect to military assistance and weapons transfers. As the sole remaining superpower and leading arms merchant

in the world, the United States must first to lead by example, and then reach out to other arms-exporting nations.

We also have a responsibility to our troops. We know that weapons sold to the Shah or Iran became the arsenal of the Ayatollah Khomeini, and we know that in recent mobilizations of U.S. forces - in Panama, Iraq, Somalia, and in Haiti -- U.S. soldiers were killed and wounded by weapons and/or weapons technology exported from the United States.

Finally, we have a moral responsibility to deny our direct, or indirect support to those who do not share our values of democracy and respect for human rights. As parents, I have no doubt that we have all told our children at one time or another, that it does not matter what the other kids are doing – or what the parents of other kids let them do. We simply do not allow our children to embark on dangerous or morally dubious adventures simply because so-and-so down the street can. We must insist on the same common-sense approach to arms transfer policies.

Again, I commend the leadership of my colleague Mr. Gejdenson on this issue and look forward to working with him as we establish the same moral values for our country that we insist upon from our children.

Peace out y all.

106TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION

H.R. 825

H.L.C.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Mr. Manzullo, and Mr. Falecimavringa Mr. BEREUTER (for himself, Mr. LANTOS, and Mr. BERMAN introduced the referred to the Committee

following

bill; which

was

on

1

A BILL

To set forth the policy of the United States with respect

to Macau, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa

2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

3 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

4

This Act may be cited as the "United States-Macau

5 Policy Act of 1999".

6 SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND DECLARATIONS.

7

The Congress makes the following findings and dec

8 larations:

H.L, C.

[blocks in formation]

2

(1) The Congress recognizes that under the April 13, 1987, Joint Declaration of the Government

of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Portugal on the Question of

Macau

(A) the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Portugal have agreed that the People's Republic of China will resume the exercise of sovereignty over Macau on December 20, 1999, and until that time, Portugal will be responsible for the administration of Macau;

(B) the Macau Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, beginning on December 20, 1999, will continue to

enjoy a high degree of autonomy on all matters.

other than defense and foreign affairs;

(C) there is provision for implementation of a "one country, two systems" policy, under which Macau will retain its current lifestyle and legal, social, and economic systems until at

least the year 2049;

(D) the legislature of the Macau Special Administrative Region has been constituted by elections; and

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