Larry Pressler: “I rise today to discuss the most recent in what seems to be a never ending list of crises we have had in the past year…”

“I rise today to discuss the most recent in what seems to be a never ending list of crises we have had in the past year with the Government of Japan regarding international aviation relations. The root of the current problem, and a number of those which have preceded it, is the Government of Japan's continued refusal to fully comply with the United States-Japan bilateral aviation agreement. The Government of Japan incorrectly believes selective compliance with our bilateral aviation agreement is acceptable. The Japanese are badly mistaken. Nothing short of full compliance with the United States-Japan bilateral aviation agreement is acceptable. Let me explain. The United States-Japan bilateral aviation agreement guarantees three United States-carriers--United Airlines, Northwest Airlines, and Federal Express--``beyond rights'' which authorize them to fly to Japan, take on additional passengers and cargo, and then fly to another country. That agreement requires the Government of Japan to authorize new beyond routes no more than 45 days after one of these three carriers files notice of an intention to initiate new beyond service.”