[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 35 (Thursday, March 24, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 24, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                     HUMANITARIAN AID CORRIDOR ACT

                                 ______


                         HON. RICHARD H. LEHMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 24, 1994

  Mr. LEHMAN. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing the Humanitarian Aid 
Corridor Act which is designed to restore credibility to our Nation's 
Foreign Aid Program by ensuring that U.S. humanitarian assistance is 
properly distributed to people in need.
  This legislation stipulates that countries who receive U.S. foreign 
assistance must--as a condition of receiving U.S. assistance--not 
obstruct nor delay the delivery of U.S. humanitarian assistance.
  During these difficult budgetary times, it is essential that our 
Foreign Aid Program is run in a manner which maximizes the usage of 
each foreign aid dollar. Therefore, it simply makes no sense for our 
Government to continue to provide assistance to countries which 
deliberately impede the delivery of U.S. humanitarian assistance. The 
refusal to allow medicine, food, and other essential items to be 
delivered to people in need is reprehensible. However, what is even 
more appalling is that our Government continues to give millions of 
dollars to governments which deliberately deny the delivery of 
humanitarian assistance.
  The approval of this act will send a message around the world that 
the United States will no longer tolerate actions which impede U.S. 
efforts to assist people in need. No longer will countries such as 
Turkey for example, be able to thumb their nose at the State Department 
and deny congressionally approved humanitarian assistance from being 
delivered to starving people.
  Turkey's actions are atrocious and have forced desperately needed 
assistance destined for Armenia to be channeled through the war-torn 
Republic of Georgia. Not only does this unnecessary diversion cost more 
money, but it jeopardizes the lives of Armenians. The time has come for 
this Nation to tell countries, like Turkey, that if they wish to 
continue to receive United States assistance, that they must act in a 
responsible manner.
  Mr. Speaker, allowing a major recipient of U.S. assistance to deny 
the delivery of food and medicine undermines the goal of our foreign 
policy program. Therefore, I urge my colleagues to join me in 
cosponsoring this urgently needed legislation which ensures that people 
in need will be provided with the necessary resources.

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