[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 144 (Thursday, October 6, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 6, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
    OPPOSITION TO FROSTING A BURNT CAKE IN REBUILDING MOSCOW EMBASSY

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                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 5, 1994

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, on a number of occasions over the years I 
have expressed my concerns about the construction plans for the Moscow 
Embassy. This is a highly sensitive post and warrants the most secure 
facility we can build. The State Department has advised Congress based 
on earlier budget decisions, that it intends to follow the so-called 
hard hat building plan. That option would reconstruct the Russian 
built, and Russian penetrated building, instead of tearing down the 
structure and starting anew. The distinguished Congresswoman from Maine 
[Ms. Snowe] and I strongly oppose this approach because we do not 
believe such an important project should be decided on narrow budgetary 
grounds alone. The previous administration supported a complete tear 
down option, even though the cost was higher because it provided 
critically important security.
  Today several of our colleagues have joined in signing a letter to 
Secretary of State, Warren Christopher expressing our disapproval of 
the ill-advised Moscow Embassy construction plan. They share our 
concern that we are taking needless risks with our national security 
with such an ill-conceived building plan.
  Let us not put any frosting on a burnt cake.

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