Compacts of Free Association Amendments Act of 2007

COMPACTS OF FREE ASSOCIATION AMENDMENTS ACT OF 2007 -- (House of Representatives - November 13, 2007)

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Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2705, the Compacts of Free Association Amendments Act of 2007.

The United States shares a uniquely close history and friendship with the Pacific Island nations of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and Palau.

In the aftermath of World War II, the United States administered those islands as Trust Territories until they became independent, sovereign nations in the 1980s and the 1990s. Our relations with those countries are governed by compacts of free association which guarantees certain forms of U.S. assistance and cooperation in exchange for defense rights and obligations that are unique in the world.

Those Pacific nations remain stalwart friends of the United States and dependable partisans in the United Nations General Assembly. Some of their citizens continue to serve with great distinction and personal sacrifice in the United States Armed Forces, including Iraq and Afghanistan.

The 108th Congress extended and significantly restructured the compacts of free association with Micronesia and the Marshall Islands in the Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2003. This bill makes technical corrections, updates, and minor changes to that act, as well as to the Palau Compact. Most importantly, it improves the disaster assistance agreements required by section 105 of the act, which were subsequently negotiated between the parties and presented to Congress.

I want to thank the author, the gentlelady from the U.S. Virgin Islands (Mrs. Christensen) for providing us this opportunity to reaffirm our friendship with the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau.

The measure before us today has also been modified to include the text of H.R. 3912, the Naval Vessel Transfer Act of 2007, which was requested by the Department of Defense and introduced by the gentleman from California, our great chairman, Tom Lantos.

According to the Secretary of the Navy, authority to transfer surplus vessels is an important aspect of our ship disposition strategy. It enables the Navy to manage its inventory while strengthening the ties with our allies by transferring the ships that enhance their defense capabilities.

This bill authorizes the transfer of eight decommissioned naval vessels to certain friends and allies of the United States, specifically Lithuania and Turkey and Taiwan. Five ships will be transferred on a grant basis, as excess defense articles, and three will be transferred through foreign military sales under section 21 of the Arms Export Control Act.

Importantly, the legislation also requires that any expense incurred by the United States in connection with a transfer authorized by this bill shall be charged to the recipient. Likewise, it states that, to the maximum extent feasible, repair and refurbishment of these vessels shall take place in U.S. shipyards.

I urge support of this legislation.

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