[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 101 (Thursday, July 28, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: July 28, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                                 RWANDA

  (Mrs. CLAYTON asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. CLAYTON. Mr. Speaker, the human disaster associated with recent 
atrocities in Rwanda should shake the conscience and civility of all 
humanity and Members of this body. This human catastrophe, which has 
been graphically portrayed in televised footage of the refugee camps in 
Goma, Zaire, and the massive destruction of Kigali, calls into question 
many pertinent issues relating to United States foreign policy and the 
responsibility of the world community of nations.
  The question is begged: How much human tragedy and mass genocide must 
occur before the world recognizes its collective responsibility to act? 
How many more deaths must we witness in nations like Rwanda before we 
are compelled to take decisive action? I believe that these questions 
demand that we probe deeper into the nature and focus of American 
foreign policy in a post-cold-war era--a time in which we as Americans 
must rethink and redefine what constitutes American interest.

  Despite attempts to treat American economic interest and respect for 
human rights separately, I believe that appropriate U.S. foreign policy 
must attempt to harmonize these concepts. In the big picture, a more 
stabilized and civil world directly serves our interests. In order to 
maximize and expand global market opportunities for our industries, our 
trading partners, or potential trading partners, must have stable, 
free, and civil societies where the rule of law is the standard.
  In an ever dangerous world which continues to see bloodshed, famine, 
and unrest, we must carefully analyze how American military and 
diplomatic resources are utilized. As Americans, we must solicit other 
nations to share in a collective responsibility. As a community of 
nations, we must diligently work to prevent future conflicts from 
resulting in the same degree of suffering seen in Rwanda.
  In defining our new American interest in the post-cold-war era, one 
thing is certain--we must act. We must act as leaders.

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