[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 116 (Thursday, August 1, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1432]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               THE ADMINISTRATION'S FOREIGN POLICY RECORD

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LEE H. HAMILTON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 1, 1996

  Mr. HAMILTON. Mr. Speaker, Secretary of State Christopher testified 
on July 31, 1996, before the International Relations Committee. It is 
an appropriate time to review the administration's foreign policy, and 
I would like to submit for inclusion in the Congressional Record my 
opening remarks.

  Opening Statement Before the House International Relations Committee

                          (By Lee H. Hamilton)

       Mr. Secretary, welcome to the Committee. I look forward to 
     your testimony. Since this may be one of the last times you 
     testify before this committee during the 104th Congress, I 
     also want to commend you personally for your efforts, and 
     foreign policy accomplishments.
       These have not been the easiest four years. We have had a 
     difficult time defining our interests since the end of the 
     Cold War. The single overwhelming threat from the Soviet 
     Union is gone, replaced by any number of threats, including 
     ethnic conflict, weapons proliferation, drugs, rogue states 
     and terrorism.
       Amidst this difficult environment, I believe the 
     Administration has achieved a number of important foreign 
     policy successes. They include reform in Russia, and Middle 
     East peace.
       On the most difficult question--U.S. intervention--the 
     President has made the tough calls and achieved tangible 
     results: in Haiti and Bosnia, and on the financial side, in 
     Mexico. Let's face it: Without U.S. leadership during the 
     past four years, thugs would be ruling Haiti, Bosnia would 
     still be at war, and the Mexican economy would be in a free 
     fall. We all know these successes are fragile; in today's 
     world, no foreign policy achievement is permanent. But so 
     far, so good.
       The Administration has also had important success in arms 
     control: the permanent extension of the Nuclear 
     Nonproliferation Treaty; the removal of all nuclear weapons 
     from Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Belarus; and a freeze on North 
     Korea's nuclear program.
       The economic record is also impressive. The President has 
     tied together economic and foreign policy as well as any 
     Administration in memory. During the first three years of the 
     Administration, U.S. exports grew 31%. The U.S. economy has 
     created a net 9 million new jobs since the Administration 
     took office: Europe has lost 3 million jobs. The trade 
     agreements initiated or concluded by the Administration have 
     kept the world trading system open and unlocked new markets 
     for U.S. products--with direct benefits for American 
     consumers.
       Most important of all, the United States is at peace. That 
     is not small achievement.
       You have unfinished business and some difficult tests ahead 
     of you: relations with China; the Comprehensive Test-Ban 
     talks; next steps in Bosnia; and keeping the Middle East 
     peace process on track. I am sure these questions will come 
     up today.
       What impresses me most is that the President has decided 
     that America must lead. He has decided that protecting and 
     promoting our interests requires American leadership. This 
     comes at a time when there are strong voices and actions by 
     the Congress to cut resources and the American presence 
     overseas. As he showed at the recent G-7 summit in France, 
     the President is a skilled and highly respected world leader. 
     Mr. Secretary, I commend you, and the President, for your 
     record of accomplishment.
     
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