Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 99 Part 2.djvu/716

 99 STAT. 1826

Post, p. 1827.

Ante, p. 1818. Post, p. 1829. Defense and national security. Ante, p. 1824.

PUBLIC LAW 99-239—JAN. 14, 1986

than one Joint Committee. Each Joint Committee shall follow such procedures, including the establishment of functional subcommittees, as the members may from time to time agree. (d) Unresolved issues in each Joint Committee shall be referred to the Governments concerned for resolution, and the Government of the Marshall Islands or the Federated States of Micronesia shall be afforded, on an expeditious basis, an opportunity to raise its concerns with the United States Secretary of Defense personally regarding any unresolved issue which threatens its continued association with the Government of the United States. Section 352 In the exercise of its authority and responsibility under Title Three, the Government of the United States shall accord due respect to the authority and responsibility of the Governments of the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia under Titles One, Two and Four and to their responsibility to assure the wellbeing of their peoples. Section 353 (a) The (jovernment of the United States shall not include any of the (Governments of the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia as named parties to a formal declaration of war, without their respective consent. (b) Absent such consent, this Compact is without prejudice, on the ground of belligerence or the existence of a state of war, to any claims for damages which are advanced by the citizens, nationals or Government of the Marshall Islands or the Federated States of Micronesia, which arise out of armed conflict subsequent to the effective date of this Compact and which are: (1) petitions to the Government of the United States for redress; or (2) claims in any manner against the government, citizens, nationals or entities of any third country. (c) Petitions under Section 353(b)(l) shall be treated as if they were made by citizens of the United States. Section 354 (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Compact, the provisions of this Title are binding from the effective date of this Compact for a period of fifteen years between the Government of the United States and the Governments of the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia and thereafter as mutually agreed or in accordance with Section 231, unless earlier terminated by mutual agreement pursuant to Section 441, or amended pursuant to Article ffl of Title Four. (b) The Government of the United States recognizes, in view of the special relationship between the Government of the United States ^^^j ^j^^ Governments of the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia, and in view of the existence of separate agreements with each of them pursuant to Sections 321 and 323, that, even if this Title should terminate, any attack on the Marshall Islands or the Federated States of Micronesia during the period in which such separate agreements are in effect, would constitute a threat to the peace and security of the entire region and a danger to the United States. In the event of such an attack, the Government of the United States would take action to meet the danger to the

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