19658 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS September 6, 1989 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS IMPORTANT ISSUES IN area leaders the importance the U.S. places the U.S. presence in Southeast Asia was im­ SOUTHEAST ASIA on its two major bases in the Philippines: portant and that he would provide enhanced Subic Bay Naval Station and Clark Air Base. access for U.S. forces into Singapore if the HON. WM. S. BROOMFIELD These two bases simply cannot be replicat­ United States were to leave the Philippines. OF MICHIGAN ed. But if the Philippine Government places The U.S. is now considering the Singapore IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES conditions on our continued use of the bases offer. that are too costly or too restrictive, we will In our discussion with Philippine leaders and Wednesday, September 6, 1989 simply have to walk away from them. We the leaders of the other Southeast Asian na­ Mr. BROOMFIELD. Mr. Speaker, from made this clear to Mrs. Aquino and other Phil­ tions, we explained that in our view, the bases August 11-27, Congressman DANTE FASCELL ippine officials, as well as other leaders in the in the Philippines were extremely important for and I led a House Foreign Affairs Committee area. both United States and Philippine security in­ delegation to discuss important trade and se­ Virtually every leader we met agreed either terests and for the security of the Southeast curity issues with top officials in the ASEAN publicly or privately that it is important for Asian region. We also expressed the view that nations of Southeast Asia. Also on the trip America to maintain these bases. They know we were not locked into any position but we were two Foreign Affairs Committee members, that the presence of American power provides also would not be "blackmailed" over the BEN GILMAN and BEN BLAZ, as well as much-needed stability in the region, and bene­ bases. Ulitmately, we said, the decision would SANDER LEVIN and BILL RICHARDSON, both of fits them every bit as much as it benefits the be up to the Philippines: if they wanted us to whom have a keen interest in issues in this United States. They welcome our presence in leave, we would leave; if they wanted us to area. the area because they know that we protect stay, we would stay. The trade issue, in particular, confronted us them from others whose intentions toward Many of the ASEAN leaders agreed, public­ every day we drove around the streets of the their countries might not be so benign. ly or privately, that our presence in the Philip­ cities we visited. In city after city, we saw These and other key issues were at the top pines was crucial for regional security inter­ Hondas and Toyotas and precious few Ameri­ of the agenda in our meetings, and I believe ests. But, except for Singapore's Lee Kuan can automobiles. the following account of what we learned from Yew, they would not speak out publicly at this In Bangkok, we met with members of the those meetings might be of interest to fellow time in support of our bases remaining in the American chamber of commerce in Thailand. members who are also concerned about Philippines. These are businessmen with long experience America's future role in Southeast Asia. CAMBODIA AND THE PARIS PEACE TALKS in the area. They told us that unless some­ REGIONAL SECURITY AND THE PHILIPPINE BASES As part of our discussion on regional securi­ thing is done to recapture America's competi­ The most important issue discussed on the ty, the delegation also sought the views of the tiveness in this area, U.S. business w9uld lose trip was the question of regional security as it ASEAN leaders regarding a possible Cambo­ its foothold in Soulheast Asia within 5 years. related to the U.S. air and naval facilities at dia settlement. Many said that a comprehen­ That would be a major loss to the United Clark Field and Subic Bay Naval Station in the sive peace settlement could not be reached States. Southeast Asia has some of the most Philippines. These two facilities are key ele­ dynamic economies in the world today. Should ments in the U.S. military presence in the during the first round of negotiations, although we be unable to compete in those markets, region. Not only are they major facilities for considerable progress was being made. Views American workers will lose jobs, American U.S. forces stationed in the Philippines but were expressed that the provision of U.S. businesses will lose the income necessary to also for the transit and training of our armed lethal aid at this time could exacerbate the sit­ invest in rebuilding its competitive position, services. American military and diplomatic offi­ uation there. We were also told that the and America itself will suffer a great loss of cials in the area agreed that if we were to United States must realize that all four par­ prestige. leave Clark and Subic, we could not replicate ties-the Vietnam-installed Hun Sen Govern­ During the trip we discussed what to do them. ment, the factions led by Prince Sihanouk, about this situation. While much of the burden This past October, the United States com­ Son Sam, and the Khmer Rouge-must be of rebuilding our trade with this area lies with pleted a scheduled review of the agreement party to any agreement and an interim govern­ American business, the Federal Government covering the facilities. It was a protracted and ment. has a role to play as well. acrimonious negotiation, with ill-considered Thai leaders also raised the point that the In meetings with a number of Government words said on both sides of the Pacific. An United States must look beyond a Cambodian officials we stressed the importance we place agreement was finally reached with the United settlement and devise a post-settlement on creating a level playing field for trade. We States agreeing to increase its assistance policy. It was their view that we should join in encouraged all of these nations to lower their levels to the Philippines to approximately $485 partnership with Thailand to increase trade trade barriers, and in particular, urged Indone­ million during 1989 and 1990, the remaining 2 and development in Southeast Asia, including sia, Singapore and Thailand to improve their years of the current agreement. Vietnam. They argued that with development, protection of intellectual property rights. This November President Corazon Aquino there would be greater assurances of peace Our economic presence in this area goes will be coming to the United States for a State in the region. hand-in-hand with our role in providing military visit. It is hoped that negotiations for a new TRADE RELATIONS AND THE FUTURE OF U.S. security for the region. base agreement can start in December of this BUSINESSES IN SOUTHEAST ASIA Lee Kuan Yew, the Prime Minister of Singa­ year. The current agreement will expire by Trade issues were also a major interest to pore, has been quite open in his support of September 1991. These negotiations will cer­ the delegation. The Asian region is an eco­ the United States role in providing for regional tainly be difficult, and will be affected by deep­ nomic dynamo. Its growth rates in some coun­ security. He candidly told us that America's seated feelings of Philippine nationalism. The tries are as high as 10-11 percent. The area participation in the Vietnam war gave most of Philippine Government will work hard to get is changing from an agricultural economy to the nations in the area the time to bolster the best terms possible. an industrial economy, and requires a great their defenses against the Communist threat. During our visit in the Philippines, the Chair­ deal of internal and foreign investment. As Without that assistance, Mr. Lee said, virtually man of the Philippine Senate Foreign Rela­ peace gradually comes to Indochina, that all of Southeast Asia would have fallen to the tions Committee introduced legislation calling area, too, will provide great opportunities for Communists. for the phase-out of U.S. bases in the Philip­ U.S. business. While in Southeast Asia, we impressed on pines. At the same time President Lee Kuan In response to this economic growth, U.S. President Aquino of the Philippines and other Yew of Singapore announced that he believed trade levels with Asia are now greater than e This "bullet" symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor. Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor. September 6, 1989 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS 19659 our trade with Europe. However, while the PHILIPPINES tween worthwhile domestic and foreign uses U.S. presence in Asia is large, the Japanese Since 1986 with the beginning of her admin­ of the funds and that authorization for foreign presence is larger. As part of our inquiry, the istration, Philippine President Corazon Aquino assistance programs were being examined delegation met with the leaders of the Ameri­ has made major gains in the political and eco­ very carefully. can Chamber of Commerce in Thailand. Their nomic development of her nation. When she The delegation also made an investigative message was clear that without changes in took office in March 1986, the Philippines had tour of the island of Corregidor. Two years U.S. policy, and in the policies of many Ameri­ a negative economic growth, a growing Com­ ago, our colleague, Congressman SONNY can companies, the United States could basi­ munist insurgency, and a government that had MONTGOMERY found that the historic sites and cally be closed out of the Southeast Asian lost the political mandate of its people.