[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 115 (Thursday, September 4, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1656]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      FOREIGN OPERATIONS, EXPORT FINANCING, AND RELATED PROGRAMS 
                        APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 1998

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. SCOTTY BAESLER

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 3, 1997

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2159) making 
     appropriations for foreign operations, export financing, and 
     related programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 
     1998, and for other purposes:


  Mr. BAESLER. Mr. Chairman, some of our colleagues continue their 
efforts to limit or eliminate development assistance to India as part 
of the foreign operations appropriations bill. I strongly oppose these 
efforts.
  On August 15, India celebrated its 50th anniversary of democratic 
self-rule. Last year, India held the world's largest democratic 
elections. With nearly 300 million people going to the polls, the 
election was called epic by the New York Times, and extraordinary by 
the Washington Times. Any attempt to unfairly stigmatize India by 
placing limits on the small amounts of development assistance that the 
United States provides would have a devastating impact on United 
States-India relations.
  The relationship between the United States and India continues to 
thrive and the United States is now India's largest overseas investor 
and its biggest trading partner. During the past 6 years, India's 
ambitious economic reform program has allowed United States business in 
India to grow dramatically. Exports from the United States were up 40 
percent in 1996, and between 1991 and 1996 United States investment in 
India was 29.5 percent of all investment.
  And throughout this economic boom, India's human rights record has 
steadily improved. India abolished the Terrorist and Disruptive 
(Prevention) Act which was the subject of objection by several human 
rights activists. An independent National Human Rights Commission has 
been established and is widely believed to be aggressively pursuing 
human rights. And the most recent United States State Department human 
rights report praised the commission's independence and noted that 
India has made substantial progress in the area of human rights.
  Any effort to limit or eliminate development assistance should be 
opposed. As India continues to develop politically, economically, and 
socially, I believe it is important that the United States continue to 
send positive signals of support and understanding to the world's 
largest democracy.

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