[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 141 (Tuesday, September 12, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S13477-S13478]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


        THE IMPORTANCE OF AN INDEPENDENT U.S. INFORMATION AGENCY

 Mr. HEFLIN. Mr. President, I firmly support the continuation 
of a strong, independent U.S. Information Agency. The USIA serves a 
vital purpose in telling America's story to the rest of the world. It 
serves the critical function of advancing public diplomacy, 
broadcasting through its radios and Worldnet, enabling educational and 
cultural exchange programs, distributing information, and promoting a 
sense of shared cultural values. These programs not only serve our 
national security interests. They also provide direct economic benefits 
and foster a climate where American businesses can develop overseas 
markets, producing jobs, and providing wages for American workers.
  We must remember the important distinctions between the official type 
of diplomacy conducted by our State Department and what is known as 
public diplomacy. The State Department conducts a quiet, often secret, 
dialog between countries with an emphasis placed on accommodation, 
negotiation, and compromise. These are all important, since they 
nurture relationships between countries to achieve broader goals. 
Public diplomacy such as that conducted by USIA seeks to foster direct 
economic relationships, engages in democratic institution-building, and 
encourages mutual understanding and a shared sense of values.
  A classic illustration of the parallel nature of the two types of 
diplomacy occurred during the period when martial law was declared in 
Poland. At a time when private organizations, including the AFL-CIO, 
were engaged in a massive effort to assist the Polish trade union 
Solidarnosc, the Reagan administration was taking steps to ease 
economic sanctions that had been imposed on the Jaruzelski government. 
Because of the arms-length distance between the government and the 
private sector, both could pursue their goals. This was true also in 
Russia, South Africa, the Philippines, and Chile. If this bill passes 
without the Lieberman amendment, such distance will disappear, and this 
type of dual diplomacy will prove impossible. If USIA is folded into 
the State Department, its public diplomacy functions will be severely 
diminished, particularly in areas where democracy needs them the most 
in order to survive.
  Another major reason for my support of a continued independent USIA 
stems from its programs of exchanges for emerging foreign and American 
political leaders. Over the years, these programs have brought young 
local and Federal officials to America for a first-hand look at our 
Government and how it works. More than 30 current heads of state had 
their first exposure to the people and institutions of the United 
States through the USIA Exchange Program. Hundreds of cabinet 
ministers, mayors, governors, and Members of Parliament around the 
world formed their first opinions of America by coming here and meeting 
people where they work and live.
  Hundreds of other leading political figures both here and abroad have 
gained valuable international experience through USIA's support for 
programs like that of the American Council of Young Political Leaders. 
Twenty-five Members of Congress and countless State and local officials 
around the Nation are alumni of these programs. All will testify to the 
positive impact of these programs.
  The USIA's rule of law program is an example of its efforts in 
assisting developing democracies worldwide. This particular program has 
been actively engaged in the area of judicial reform in Romania, 
perhaps once the most oppressive of the former Communist regimes. 
Through the posting of American judges at the Ministry of Justice for 
long-term projects, programs to strengthen the Magistrates' Training 
Institute, and ongoing support for the newly founded Magistrates' 
Training Association, USIA has established itself as a leader in 
assisting Romania in its attempts to establish an independent 
judiciary. American judges and academics have traveled to Romania under 
the auspices of USIA's Fulbright Program and have been posted to law 
schools throughout the country to teach and develop curricula and to 
work with the judiciary on numerous issues of importance. Romanian 
judges have also visited the United States under the Agency's 
International Visitor Program for 30-day observation and consultation 
trips to witness first hand the American judiciary and to gather 
information to assist in their judicial reform efforts.

[[Page S 13478]]

  The USIA also supports such projects as the American People 
Ambassador Program, a program of people to people international. This 
program arranges face-to-face professional, scientific, technical, and 
community exchanges between Americans and their counterparts around the 
world. Each one explores a different topic, but all share the personal 
exchange of information, ideas, goals, and experiences with leading 
public and provide sector citizens of foreign countries.
  One such program in my State is the torch of Birmingham Award 
Program, which seeks to honor Russian companies and those in the Newly 
Independent States who are succeeding despite difficult economic 
conditions. In September, over 400 Russian business and government 
leaders will be coming to Birmingham to participate in this event. They 
will represent every imaginable segment of the Russian economy, and 
will network with leading Alabama business, political, and community 
leaders. The USIA and its resources are essential to organizations like 
the American People Ambassador Program which operate exchanges around 
the world.
  All of us are keenly aware of the budgetary constraints we face. But 
we must not be short sighted by eliminating investments in our Nation's 
future and security. Who can say whether or not educational and 
cultural exchange programs will be maintained if they are placed in a 
department with a significantly different mission, set of priorities, 
and official purpose?
  The world remains just as dangerous as it has ever been. new threats 
have replaced some of those which ended with the cold war. But they are 
just as real and threatening to international peace and stability. The 
world looks to us for leadership--leadership with a strong voice. I 
applaud Senator Lieberman's efforts to ensure that America continues to 
have that strong voice through an independent USIA, and look forward to 
working with him on this issue when the State Department 
reauthorization bill is again brought before the Senate.


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