[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 107 (Friday, July 25, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8147-S8149]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       AMBASSADORIAL NOMINATIONS

  Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, partisan politics, I guess, is a game like 
football, baseball, or checkers, and that game has, no doubt, been 
played in the Senate for as long as there has been a Senate. In it, you 
win some, you lose some, and, as the saying goes, some are rained out. 
It has been suggested from time to time that maybe a time or two I have 
played a little bit of it myself, and I plead nolo contendere to the 
suggestion.
  But the game, it seems to me, that the distinguished minority leader, 
Mr. Daschle, has been playing of late has sometimes been marked by a 
rather interesting degree of misstatements of fact--unintentional, I'm 
sure--and curious conclusions. That, too, has not been unknown 
heretofore in the history of the Senate. And I do not suggest that the 
minority leader's misstatements or insinuations are deliberate, and I 
am willing to assume that his errors are accidental and unintentional.
  Just the same, my observations this afternoon are based on my 
incredulous reaction early this morning when I read an article in the 
Washington Post, page A21, under a headline reading ``Confirmation 
Process Frustrates President.'' That was, of course, Mr. Clinton, with 
whom Senator Daschle says he met this past Wednesday night. It 
indicates that Senator Daschle confided to the Washington Post's very 
competent reporter, Helen Dewar, that--and I quote from Ms. Dewar's 
story--``The President . . . expressed probably the highest level of 
exasperation I've heard him express on the subject, Daschle said, 
making clear that he (Senator Daschle) shares Clinton's frustration.''
  Further, according to Ms. Dewar's report, ``[Senator] Daschle 
estimated that there are 30 ambassadorial nominations awaiting action 
for countries that, according to a Senate list, include Britain, 
France, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Bosnia, and, as of Tuesday, Mexico.''
  Well, Mr. President, if Mr. Clinton and Mr. Daschle are suffering 
their ``highest levels of exasperation,'' and if the President uttered 
the ``choice words'' attributed to him by Senator Daschle regarding the 
work of the Senate's Foreign Relations Committee, then I suggest that 
both gentlemen dismount their high horses, examine the true facts, and 
correct their joint misstatements about the excellent work of the 
Foreign Relations Committee, which I have the honor of serving as 
chairman, with Senator Joe Biden as the ranking member.
  What the President is purported to have implied--and Mr. Daschle says 
he agrees with it--is nonsense, I say respectfully; it is nonsense 
regarding the work and cooperation of the staff of the Senate Foreign 
Relations Committee, of which Adm. ``Bud'' Nance is the Chief of Staff. 
Bud Nance is among the top chiefs of staff ever to serve the Senate's 
committees, and I believe Mr. Clinton's State Department will join

[[Page S8148]]

me in that assessment of the committee staff members, both majority and 
minority.
  Now, let's look at some specific things and respond to the President 
with what the actual facts are.
  First, Thomas Pickering left the position of Ambassador to Russia on 
November 1, 1996. The Foreign Relations Committee received the 
nomination of James Collins to succeed Tom Pickering 7 months later, on 
June 2, 1997. Let me just remind anybody who may be interested that 
Russia is selling sophisticated weaponry to terrorist states, such as 
Iran, and Russia barely maintains control of its 20,000 warhead nuclear 
arsenal. Now, by Mr. Clinton's own choice, the position of Ambassador 
to Russia went vacant for 7 months. We didn't get a piece of paper from 
the White House. When we did get the nomination, we expedited the 
hearing process for this nomination, and we are prepared to send it to 
the full Senate--that is, the nomination of James Collins --next week.
  Second, Charles Redman left the position of Ambassador to Germany on 
June 20, 1996, over a year ago. The Foreign Relations Committee 
received the nomination of John Kornblum for this position on May 22 of 
this year, 1997. Now, Mr. President, Germany is the most powerful 
country in Europe and is central to virtually every decision made by 
our European allies. By the White House's own choice, don't you see, 
the position of Ambassador to Germany was vacant for almost a full 
year. The committee scheduled a hearing after finally getting the 
papers on the nomination of Mr. Kornblum, and we are prepared to send 
the nomination to the Senate next week.
  Third, John Menzies left the position of Ambassador to Bosnia in 
December 1996. The Foreign Relations Committee received the nomination 
of Richard Kauzlarich on July 8, 1997, just a couple of weeks ago. Now, 
it was the White House's choice that the position of Ambassador to 
Bosnia was vacant for more than 8 months before we got a scrap of paper 
from the White House in the Foreign Relations Committee. Of course, 
thousands of American soldiers have been kept in Bosnia for 8 months, 
but for 8 months the White House has delayed sending the nomination of 
the successor, Mr. Kauzlarich. The committee, again, has scheduled a 
hearing to consider this nomination. We are prepared to send it to the 
Senate next week.

  Fourth, James Blanchard left the position of Ambassador to Canada in 
April 1996, over a year ago. The Foreign Relations Committee received 
the nomination of Gordon Griffin on June 26, 1997. The Foreign 
Relations Committee held a hearing on July 15, after we had gotten all 
of the papers prepared, and reported his nomination to the full Senate 
on July 17, where it is pending on the Executive Calendar of the 
Senate. The United States is engaged in foreign policy and trade 
disputes with Canada, ranging from the Pacific Northwest to Cuba, and 
the position to Ambassador to Canada was vacant--not the responsibility 
of the Foreign Relations Committee, but of the White House--the White 
House--for more than a year.
  Fifth, the post of United States Ambassador to France has been vacant 
since the death of Ambassador Pamela Harriman. She died on February 5 
of this year. And then, after that, there was a month-long public 
battle between several of President Clinton's political supporters and 
a career Foreign Service officer who wanted the post, and the President 
finally selected one of the substantial donors to the Democratic Party 
for this position. Now, that is not unusual. The point is that all this 
time elapsed. It was not the Foreign Relations Committee staff's fault. 
It was the White House's fault. Mr. Daschle is bound to have known 
that.
  Let me say that the French leaders have opposed the United States on 
almost every foreign policy decision regarding United States-European 
relations, but by President Clinton's choice, the position of 
Ambassador to France, nevertheless, was vacant for just about 6 months.
  The committee again has scheduled a hearing to consider the 
nomination next Tuesday, less than a week after the papers got up to us 
from the White House. So who is delaying all of these nominations, Mr. 
President? I think the facts speak for themselves.
  Then there is the nomination of Philip Lader. I believe it came on 
July 22, just a few days ago. The committee has immediately scheduled a 
hearing for Mr. Lader for next Tuesday, less than a week after 
receiving this nomination.
  Seventh, the President has yet to name ambassadors for Japan and 
South Korea. Now, these Embassies have been minus ambassadors since the 
end of last year, nearly 8 months--not the fault of the Foreign 
Relations Committee, not the fault of the Senate, not the fault of 
anybody in the Senate, but the White House.
  Let me reiterate and emphasize that there has been a high degree of 
cooperation between the State Department and the Senators who serve on 
the Foreign Relations Committee and, I might add, between the excellent 
staff of the committee and the State Department staff. I think that the 
cooperation between the various entities has been remarkable and 
unheard of for several years prior to this year and last year. In fact, 
we have done our best to work with and consult with the White House.
  Therefore, statements made by Senator Daschle are not acceptable. To 
the extent that the President has stated or has implied that any lag in 
the ambassadorial nomination process is the fault of the Senate Foreign 
Relations Committee, I have to say, no, sir; you are wrong.
  Some time back the White House publicly identified a possible--a 
possible--nomination about which I had and still have a problem. I have 
tried to be as candid and up front about my position regarding that 
nomination since long before the nomination was made. When? Just this 
past week.
  I feel that it will be useful to have the Congressional Record 
reflect the specific names, dates, and places involved in diplomatic 
nominations. Therefore, I ask unanimous consent, since I have discussed 
several specific nominations, the entire list be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the list was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

           Clinton Administration Nominations--July 25, 1997


                      hearings have been scheduled

       James W. Pardew, Jr., (NC) for rank of Amb as U.S. Special 
     Representative for Military Stabilization in the Balkans--
     referred 5/20; file complete 6/18; hearing scheduled for 7/
     29.
       Anne Marie Sigmund (C) to be Amb to Krygzy Republic--
     referred 6/26; file complete 7/22; hearing scheduled for 7/
     29.
       Keith C. Smith (C) to be Amb to Lithuania--referred 6/26; 
     file complete 7/22; hearing scheduled for 7/29.
       Richard D. Kauzlarich (C) to be Amb to Bosnia & 
     Herzegovina--referred 7/8; file complete 7/22; hearing 
     scheduled for 7/29.
       Daniel V. Speckhard (C) to be Amb to Belarus--referred 6/
     26; file complete 7/22; hearing scheduled for 7/29.


                        hearings to be scheduled

       Wyche Fowler, Jr., (NC) to be Amb to the Kingdom of Saudi 
     Arabia--referred 2/25; file complete 3/6; hearing to be 
     scheduled.
       Richard W. Bogosian (C) for rank of Amb as Special 
     Coordinator for Rwanda/Burundi--referred 1/9; file complete 
     2/4; hearing to be scheduled. (Left pending on Executive 
     Calendar at end of 104th Congress.)
       Brian Dean Curran (C) to be Amb to Mozambique--referred 4/
     16; file complete 4/22; hearing to be scheduled.
       Susan E. Rice (NC) to be Assistant Secretary of State for 
     African Affairs-referred 6/12; file complete 6/20; hearing to 
     be scheduled.
       Timberlake Foster (C) to be Amb to Islamic Republic of 
     Mauritania--referred 6/11; file complete 6/24; hearing to be 
     scheduled.
       Amelia E. Shippy (C) to be Amb to Republic of Malawi--
     referred 6/11; file complete 6/24; hearing to be scheduled.
       Donna Jean Hrinak (C) to be Amb to Bolivia--referred 7/8; 
     file not complete 7/22; hearing to be scheduled.


                           files not complete

       Stanley A. Riveles (C) for the rank of Amb during his 
     tenure of service as U.S. Commissioner to the Standing 
     Consultative Commission--referred 1/30; file not complete.
       Nancy Jo Powell (C) to be Amb to Republic of Ugandas--
     referred 6/11; file not complete (in w/Patti for review).
       Martin Indyk (NC) to be Assistant Secretary of State for 
     Near Eastern Affairs--referred 6/23; file not complete (in w/
     Patti for review).
       Curtis W. Kamman (C) to be Amb to Colombia--referred 6/26; 
     file not complete (in w/Patti for review).
       Felix G. Rohatyn (NC) to be Amb to France--referred 7/17; 
     file not complete.
       Philip Lader (NC) to be Amb to United Kingdom of Great 
     Britain & Northern Ireland--referred 7/22; file not complete.
       Harold C. Pachios (NC) to be Member, U.S. Advisory 
     Commission on Public Diplomacy

[[Page S8149]]

     for term exp 7/1/99 (reappointment))referred 7/22; file not 
     complete.
       William F. Weld (NC) to be Amb to Mexico--referred 7/23; 
     file not complete.


   nominations that could be placed on business meeting agenda if no 
                            objections heard

       Marc Grossman (C) to be Assistant Secretary of state for 
     European and Canadian Affairs--referred 5/22; file complete 
     6/18; hearing held 7/15. Wellstone questions (6) sent down 
     7/16; no reply. Helms' questions (4) FAX'd 7/18; no reply.
       Stephen R. Sestanovich (NC) to be Amb at Large & Special 
     Adviser to the Secretary of State for the New Independent 
     States--referred 6/19; file complete 6/20; hearing held 7/15. 
     Helms' questions (7) FAX'd 7/18; no reply.
       John C. Kornblum (C) to be Amb to Fed Rep of Germany--
     referred 5/22; file complete 6/18; hearing held 7/15. Helms' 
     questions (2) FAX'd 7/18; no reply.
       James F. Collins (C) to be Ambassador to the Russian 
     Federation--referred 6/2; file complete 6/20; hearing held 7/
     15. Helms' questions (2) sent down 7/18; no reply.
       Stanley O. Roth (NC) to be Assistant Secretary of State for 
     East Asian & Pacific Affairs--referred 5/22; file complete 6/
     18; hearing held 7/22. Questions all submitted 7/23: 
     Wellstone (7); no reply. Ashcroft (5); no reply. Feingold 
     (6); no reply. Helms (8); no reply. Lugar (4); no reply. 
     Biden (16); no reply.
       Bonnie R. Cohen (NC) to be Under Secretary of State for 
     Management--referred 5/23; file complete 6/18; hearing held 
     7/24.
       James P. Rubin (NC) to be Assistant Secretary of State for 
     Public Affairs--referred 5/23; file complete 6/18; hearing 
     held 7/24.
       Edward William Gnehm, Jr., (C) to be Director General of 
     the Foreign Service--referred 4/28; file complete 7/21; 
     hearing held 7/24.
       David Andrews (NC) to be Legal Adviser of the Department of 
     State--referred 6/11; file complete 7/19; hearing held 7/24.
       Wendy R. Sherman (NC) to be Counselor of the Department of 
     State, with rank of Amb during tenure of service--referred 6/
     26; file complete 7/21; hearing held 7/24.
       George Munoz (NC) to be President, Overseas Private 
     Investment Corporation--referred 6/26; file complete 7/21; 
     hearing held 7/24. Wellstone questions (5) FAX'd 7/24; no 
     reply.
       James F. Mack (C) to be Amb to Guyana--referred 6/26; file 
     complete 7/24; hearing held 7/25.
       Maura Harty (C) to be Amb to Paraguay--referred 6/26; file 
     complete 7/24; hearing held 7/25.


               nominations pending on executive calendar

       Jeffrey Davidow (C) to be a Member of the Board of 
     Directors of the Inter-American Foundation for a term 
     expiring September 20, 2002--referred 1/21; file complete 3/
     27; sent out by memo dated 3/27. Reported 5/8.
       Marilyn E. Hulbert, a Career Member of the Foreign Service 
     of the U.S. Information Agency, for promotion into the Senior 
     Foreign Service to Class of Counselor. Reported 7/17.
       FSO Promotion List, Swallow et al.--referred 4/25; file 
     complete 7/16; (sent out by memo dated 6/20). Reported 7/17.
       Ralph Frank (C) to be Amb to the Kingdom of Nepal--referred 
     6/11; file complete 6/18; hearing held 7/10. Helms' questions 
     (1) sent down 7/11; reply recv'd 7/16. Additional Helms' 
     questions (3) sent down 7/14; reply recv'd 7/16. Reported 7/
     17.
       Karl F. Inderfurth (NC) to be Assistant Secretary of State 
     for South Asian Affairs--referred 6/11; file complete 6/24; 
     hearing held 7/10. Helms' questions (25) sent down 7/11; 
     reply recv'd 7/16. Reported 7/17.
       John C. Holzman (C) to be Amb to People's Republic of 
     Bangladesh--referred 6/11; file complete 6/24; hearing held 
     7/10. Helms' questions (3) sent down 7/11; reply recv'd 7/16. 
     Reported 7/17.
       Linda Jane Zack Tarr-Whelan (NC) for rank of Amb as U.S. 
     Representative to the Commission on the Status of Women of 
     the Economic & Social Council of the United Nations--referred 
     4/15; file complete 6/18; hearing held 7/15. Reported 7/17.
       Richard Sklar (NC) to be US Rep to the UN for UN Management 
     and Reform, w/rank of Amb--referred 5/6; file complete 6/18; 
     hearing held 7/15. Reported 7/17.
       A. Peter Burleigh (C) to be Deputy U.S. Representative to 
     the UN, w/rank of Ambassador--referred 5/20; file complete 6/
     18; hearing held 7/15. Reported 7/17.
       David J. Scheffer (NC) to be Amb at Large for War Crimes 
     Issues--referred 5/22; file complete 6/18; hearing held 7/15. 
     Feinstein questions (12) transmitted 7/15; reply received 7/
     23. Reported 7/17.
       Gordon D. Giffin (NC) to be Amb to Canada--referred 6/26; 
     file complete 7/7; hearing held 7/15. Questions (5) sent down 
     to State 7/16; reply recv'd 7/17. Reported 7/17.


                      notice of intent to nominate

       Lange Schermerhorn (C) to be Amb to Djibouti--7/9/97.
       Victor Marrero (NC) to be US Rep to Organization of 
     American States, w/rank of Amb--7/15/97.
       George E. Moose (C) to be US Rep to European Office of the 
     UN, w/rank of Amb--7/16/97.

  Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, I know I have delayed the recess of the 
Senate this afternoon. For that I apologize. I suggest the absence of a 
quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

                          ____________________