[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 99 (Friday, June 16, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1284-E1285]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      STATEMENT OF H.R. 1561, THE AMERICAN OVERSEAS INTERESTS ACT

                                 ______


                             HON. JACK REED

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 16, 1995

  Mr. REED. Mr. Speaker, during the week of June 12, the House of 
Representatives considered H.R. 1561, the American Overseas Interests 
Act. Although this bill is not perfect, I voted in favor of this 
legislation because it includes several important provisions which I 
have historically supported.


                        humanitarian assistance

  H.R. 1561 included language from the Humanitarian Aid Corridor Act 
which restricts U.S. aid to any country that prohibits or restricts the 
transport or delivery of U.S. humanitarian assistance to other 
countries. I strongly believe that we should not allow humanitarian 
assistance to be used as a political weapon while innocent victims are 
deprived of food, fuel, and medical supplies.


                        streamlining government

  The consolidation of USAID, ACDA, and USIA into the State Department 
in H.R. 1561 was one of the most contentious issues during debate. 
While I support the work of these agencies, I also believe that we must 
remain committed to streamlining government. Secretary of State 
Christopher proposed a similar consolidation earlier this year. The 
Department of Defense is now more efficient and productive due in part 
to the consolidation.
  I supported Representative Ackerman's amendment which would have 
required the Congressional Budget Office and the Office of Management 
and Budget to conduct a cost-benefit analysis prior to the 
implementation of this bill. Regrettably, this failed. Congress has 
been considering cutbacks and elimination of virtually every Federal 
agency, and, as such, none should be immune from efforts to reduce 
Government spending.


                     commitment to israel and egypt

  H.R. 1561 also recognizes the United States' ongoing commitments to 
Egypt and Israel and maintains critical funding for the Middle East. As 
our steadfast ally in the Middle East, Israel has served as a leader in 
the efforts to bring stability to the region. We are sending a strong 
message of support to this region, but we are also acting in our own 
national self-interest to support a strong and democratic Israel. This 
region was once considered to have the potential to initiate a major 
world war. Today, we are witnessing the development of a lasting peace. 
To withdraw our moral and practical support at this point in the peace 
process would preempt what we have accomplished thus far.


                  the u.s. role in the united nations

  H.R. 1561 also attempts to redefine our Nation role in the United 
Nations. This is not to say we should abandon the basic principles of 
the United Nation, but this bill would make the United Nation more 
accountable for its programs and practices. By extending current law, 
H.R. 1561 ensures that the United States maintains a voice in the U.N. 
budget process by allowing the President to withhold up to 20 percent 
of appropriated funds for the United Nation if it fails to effect 
consensus-based decisions. The bill will also give greater authority to 
the inspector general [IG] of the United Nation. H.R. 1561 withholds 20 
percent of the U.N. budget and 50 percent of the peacekeeping budget 
until the President certifies that the United Nation has increased the 
powers of the IG, and has given the IG access and sufficient resources 
to conduct investigations and protect the identity of whistleblowers.
  Having witnessed firsthand peacekeeping operations in Somalia, 
Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Haiti, I believe we must reevaluate the 
position of the United States within the United Nations, and define the 
role in which the United States can best serve not only the interests 
of the United Nations but also those of the American people.


                               east timor

  There are provisions in this bill which I do not support. H.R. 1561 
authorizes the resumption of International Military and Education 
Training [IMET] for Indonesia. The IMET Program was eliminated for 
Indonesia in 1992 due to flagrant human rights abuses by the military 
in East Timor. This bill authorizes funding for this program, yet there 
has been no significant improvement in cases of human rights 
violations. I had planned to introduce an amendment to H.R. 1561 which 
would have eliminated the authorization of United States funding for 
military training in Indonesia. This issue is not about the efficacy of 
American military training and the value of exposing foreign military 
personnel to the professional and ethical standard of the American 
Armed Services. Rather, it is whether we will ignore continuous human 
rights abuses and use our dollars to pay for this training.
  Unfortunately, time constraints prevented me from bringing my 
amendment to the floor. I believe that American taxpayers should not be 
asked to pay for this. We should not tolerate human rights abuses by 
the military in East Timor and I will continue to work in the 
appropriations process to help the people of East Timor.


                                 bosnia

  I voted against lifting the arms embargo against Bosnia-Herzegovina 
because I believe it would have a detrimental effect in the absence of 
a larger, more coherent strategy. Although the intent is to strengthen 
the Bosnian Moslems' position in the field, I am concerned that if the 
embargo is lifted, a large scale offensive would be initiated by the 
Bosnian Serbs against highly populated urban centers. The health and 
safety of civilians, as well as U.N. peacekeeping forces, would be put 
in greater risk.
  Ending the arms embargo could also force the evacuation of U.N. 
forces. Both the administration and the House Republican leadership 
have stated that this would require a commitment of U.S. troops. I 
believe we need to pursue a more comprehensive strategy to address the 
situation in Bosnia and reach a negotiated and enduring peace. 
Implementing only one aspect of an inherently complicated 

[[Page E1285]]
plan will only result in further suffering of the Bosnian people.


                       africa and latin american

  Finally, I hope two issues will be addressed during the 
appropriations process as well as when the Senate considers its version 
of the reauthorization. H.R. 1561 cut assistance to Africa and Latin 
America far below the administration's request. I voted in favor of two 
amendments to increase funding for the Development Fund for Africa by 
$173 million and to increase assistance to Latin America and the 
Caribbean by $9 million. While both amendments failed, an engaged 
debate brought to light the concerns over drastic cuts to these regions 
which are certain to be addressed again during the appropriations 
process.


                               conclusion

  I anticipate many changes to this legislation as it progresses to the 
conference report. I hope that the conference report represents a 
continuing commitment by the United States to play a leadership role in 
the world while recognizing the profound changes in the world and the 
many demands, both at home and abroad, on our resources.