[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 46 (Thursday, April 17, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E692]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




[[Page E692]]



   PRESIDENTIAL SUPPORT FOR ASSISTANCE TO THE NEW INDEPENDENT STATES

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LEE H. HAMILTON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 17, 1997

  Mr. HAMILTON. Mr. Speaker, on March 17, 1997 I wrote to the President 
to express my support for his $900 million budget request for the New 
Independent States [NIS] of the former Soviet Union. On April 11, 1997 
I received a reply from the President, outlining why he believes his 
budget request for the NIS serves the American national interest, 
promotes market and democratic reform, and merits full bipartisan 
support. I commend the correspondence to the attention of my 
colleagues. The text follows:

                                    Congress of the United States,


                                     House of Representatives,

                                   Washington, DC, March 17, 1997.
     Hon. William J. Clinton,
     President of the United States, The White House, Washington, 
         DC.
       Dear Mr. President: I write to commend you for your Fiscal 
     Year 1998 budget request for increased funding for the New 
     Independent States of the former Soviet Union. I support your 
     request for $900 million, including your Partnership for 
     Freedom initiative to encourage economic growth, sustain 
     civil society and promote people-to-people linkages in the 
     New Independent States.
       Your direct involvement and leadership in 1993 made the 
     difference in the decision by Congress to appropriate the 
     very large sum of $2.5 billion in assistance for the New 
     Independent States. I believe your direct involvement and 
     leadership will also be essential to win Congressional 
     support for your FY 1998 budget request.
       Democratic and market reform in Russia and the NIS are in 
     the national security interests of the United States, and 
     your assistance request promotes these critical U.S. 
     interests.
       I urge you to speak out in support of your budget request, 
     and to resist earmarks that impair the effectiveness of the 
     U.S. assistance program.
       I look forward to working with you in support of this 
     important initiative.
       With best regards,
           Sincerely,
                                                  Lee H. Hamilton,
     Ranking Democratic Member.
                                                                    ____



                                              The White House,

                                       Washington, April 11, 1997.
     Hon. Lee H. Hamilton,
     House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Lee: Thank you for your letter supporting my FY 1998 
     budget request for $900 million to reinforce the next phase 
     of reform in the New Independent States of the former Soviet 
     Union. These funds will help us seize a historic opportunity: 
     to turn the nascent foundations of market economies in the 
     NIS into competitive, open markets that benefit their 
     citizens and Americans alike.
       Already, two-thirds of the people in the NIS live under 
     democratically elected leaders in emerging market economies. 
     Reforms are taking hold, but it is clear that the NIS still 
     has a long way to go. Our timely, targeted investments in 
     democracy and market economies can make the crucial 
     difference.
       Priority one is to tackle barriers to investment, lock in 
     economic reform and, at the same time, open the region's vast 
     resources to American business. The changes we support today 
     in tax laws, commercial codes, judicial systems and legal 
     protections against crime and corruption will resonate for 
     decades to come. And these investments in good policy can 
     leverage billions of dollars in trade and investment, which 
     means jobs for Americans at home.
       Priority two is to bolster generational change, and in so 
     doing strengthen the social underpinnings of democracy. Our 
     proposal will allow us to double people-to-people exchanges 
     that will forge lasting ties with today's pioneers of reform 
     and the young people who will be tomorrow's leaders. With 
     carefully targeted support, we can work hand-in-hand with 
     American foundations, universities, business associations and 
     volunteer groups to nurture an emerging civil society. 
     Indeed, the seeds planted today through thousands of reforms 
     and grassroots networks will become a bedrock for pluralism 
     and good governance.
       This funding request also gives us the opportunity to 
     complete structural reforms still under way in Ukraine, 
     Central Asia and the Caucasus. Many of these countries face 
     the challenge of completing their privatization programs, 
     restructuring energy systems and unleashing the potential of 
     small business. The impact will be seen in thousands of 
     private sector jobs that will be the driving force for 
     economic growth.
       I am even more convinced, following the Helsinki Summit, 
     that the time is ripe for this initiative. President Yeltsin 
     pledged to pursue a bold new reform agenda to stimulate 
     investment and growth in Russia. Our assistance can bolster 
     him in this effort. And the leaders of Ukraine, Georgia and 
     many of the region's other countries have committed to take 
     steps to make reform irreversible.
       This initiative--what I call a true Partnership for 
     Freedom--has my strongest commitment. By helping to entrench 
     democratic practices and market economies in the NIS, it 
     advances our overarching national interest in seeing that 
     these countries develop as partners of America. The 
     Partnership for Freedom merits full bipartisan support.
           Sincerely,
     Bill Clinton.

                          ____________________