[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 90 (Tuesday, June 18, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1109-E1110]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      FOREIGN OPERATIONS, EXPORT FINANCING, AND RELATED PROGRAMS 
                        APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 1997

                                 ______


                               speech of

                             HON. JACK REED

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 11, 1996

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration of the bill (H.R. 3540) 
     making appropriations for foreign operations, export 
     financing, and related programs for the fiscal year ending 
     September 30, 1997, and for other purposes:

  Mr. REED. Mr. Chairman, on June 11, 1996, I voted in favor of H.R. 
3540, the foreign operations appropriations bill. While I still have 
some concerns about this legislation, including the continued 
restrictions on international family planning and funding of expanded-
IMET for Indonesia, overall I believe this legislation includes several 
important provisions which deserve the support of the House.
  First, this bill provides crucial funding for our allies in the 
Middle East. H.R. 3540 recognizes our ongoing commitments to Israel and 
Egypt, providing $3 billion and $2.1 billion respectively in economic 
and military aid.
  As our Democratic ally in the Middle East, Israel has been a leader 
in the effort to bring peace to this region of the world. The peace 
process is under tremendous pressure and we need to continue to show 
our strong support as Israel and its neighbors continue to seek peace. 
It is crucial that we maintain this funding and continue our efforts on 
behalf of the peace process in the Middle East.
  H.R. 3540 also takes important steps to strengthen the Humanitarian 
Corridor Act. As a cosponsor of the Humanitarian Aid Corridor Act, I 
was extremely troubled with the President's waiver of the Humanitarian 
Aid Corridor Act for Turkey on May 16, 1996. I am pleased that the 
House overwhelming approved Mr. Visclosky's amendment which cut 
economic aid to Turkey by $25 million until it lifts its blockade of 
U.S. humanitarian relief to Armenia. This amendment will send a strong 
message to Turkey that the United States will not condone its continued 
illegal occupation of Northern Cyprus and the internationally condemned 
blockade of U.S. humanitarian assistance to Armenia. We should not 
allow humanitarian assistance to be used as a political weapon while 
innocent victims are deprived of food, fuel, and medical supplies, 
whether it be in the wake of a natural disaster or armed aggression.
  I also supported Mr. Radanovich's amendment to withhold a small 
portion of aid to Turkey until the government acknowledges the Armenian 
genocide. We cannot ignore the atrocities that the Armenian people 
suffered between 1925 and 1923 or the continued denial of this horrible 
chapter in history. The victims of this holocaust, as well as the 
survivors and their families, deserve the recognition of this crime 
against humanity.

  As I stated earlier, I remain concerned about several provisions in 
the bill. I offered an amendment with my colleague, Mr. Frank of 
Massachusetts, to prohibit funding of E-IMET for Indonesia. The 
Indonesian Government continues to commit egregious human

[[Page E1110]]

rights abuses against the people of east Timor, and, indeed, incidents 
of abuse by the Indonesia military increased over the past year, 
according to the State Department. While I am disappointed that this 
amendment did not pass, I urge my colleagues to continue to pressure 
the Indonesian government to adhere to international human rights 
standards and to hold Indonesia accountable for its human rights 
record.
  Overall, this bill provides $11.9 billion for foreign aid operations, 
a cut of $460 million from last year's level of funding. I believe it 
is in the best interest of the U.S. to maintain a strong presence 
abroad. This legislation supports our commitment to the international 
community while addressing the fiscal realities we face here at home. 
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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