[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 86 (Tuesday, May 23, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H5388]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              AMERICAN OVERSEAS INTERESTS ACT IS MIXED BAG

  (Mr. PALLONE asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, the American Overseas Interests Act 
legislation that we will be debating today is a mixed bag at best. In 
some respects the bill represents a retreat from America's role of 
promoting democracy in those lands that were formerly part of the 
Soviet Union.
  The bill authorizes $145 million less than the administration's 
fiscal year 1996 request and $76 million less than the 1995 level. We 
need to draw a distinction between Russia and the other Soviet 
Republics. After spending billions guarding against Moscow's aggressive 
expansionism during the cold war, I believe it is still an important 
American interest to continue promoting the transition to democracy in 
the former captive nations of the Soviet Union.
  Also I do want to express praise for one provision of the bill 
included by the gentleman from New Jersey [Mr. Smith], known as the 
Humanitarian Aid Corridor Act. That act would withhold U.S. aid to 
nations which are blocking congressionally approved humanitarian 
assistance to other countries. It requires all of U.S. aid recipients 
to allow unencumbered delivery of humanitarian assistance.
  The Republic of Turkey has imposed a blockade on the neighboring 
Republic of Armenia, preventing delivery of food, medicine and other 
humanitarian relief supplies from reaching Armenia. Much of this aid 
originates in the United States.
  This Humanitarian Aid Corridor Act would prevent countries like 
Turkey from receiving aid if they prevent this aid from getting 
through.


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