Ill STAT. 1886 PUBLIC LAW 105-85 —NOV. 18, 1997 (4) The Quadrennial Defense Review lists "the loss of U.S. access to critical facilities and lines of communication in key regions" as one of the so-called "wild card" scenarios covered in the review. (5) The National Defense Panel states that "U.S. forces' long-term access to forward bases, to include air bases, ports, and logistics facilities, cannot be assumed". (b) SENSE OF CONGRESS. —It is the sense of Congress that— (1) the President should develop alternatives to the current arrangement for forward basing of the Armed Forces outside the United States, including alternatives to the existing infrastructure for forward basing of forces and alternatives to the existing international agreements that provide for basing of United States forces in foreign countries; and (2) because the Pacific Rim continues to emerge as a region of significant economic and military importance to the United States, a continued presence of the Armed Forces in that region is vital to the capability of the United States to timely protect its interests in the region. (c) REPORT REQUIRED.— Not later than March 31, 1998, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committee on Armed Services of the Senate and the Committee on National Security of the House of Representatives a report on the overseas infrastructure requirements of the Armed Forces. (d) CONTENT.— The report shall contain the following: (1) The quantity and t)rpes offerees that the United States must station in each region of the world in order to support the current national military strategy of the United States. (2) The quantity and t)rpes of forces that the United States will need to station in each region of the world in order to meet the expected or potential future threats to the national security interests of the United States. (3) The requirements for access to, and use of, air space and ground maneuver areas in each such region for training for the quantity and types of forces identified for the region pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2). (4) A list of the international agreements, currently in force, that the United States has entered into with foreign countries regarding the basing of United States forces in those countries and the dates on which the agreements expire. (5) A discussion of any anticipated political opposition or other opposition to the renewal of any of those international agreements. (6) A discussion of future overseas basing requirements for United States forces, taking into account expected changes in national security strategy, national security environment, and weapons systems. (7) The expected costs of maintaining the overseas infrastructure for foreign based forces of the United States, including the costs of constructing any new facilities that will be necessary overseas to meet emerging requirements relating to the national security interests of the United States. (e) FORM OF REPORT. — The report may be submitted in a classified or unclassified form.
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