[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 29 (Tuesday, March 17, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E398]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            COMMISSION ON SECURITY AND COOPERATION IN EUROPE

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                       HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 17, 1998

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, last week the Appropriations 
Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, State, and Judiciary heard testimony 
in support of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe's 
Fiscal Year 1999 budget request. In my written submission for the 
committee, I shared portions of a poignant letter I recently received 
from the National Director of the Union of Councils of Soviet Jews, 
Micah Natfalin. Mr. Naftalin's words and observations are well said and 
heartfelt, and frankly, he reflects observations about the Commission 
and its work that many NGOs and public policy analysts have shared with 
me over the years.
  The Commission is aggressive in pursuing its mandate to monitor and 
encourage compliance with the Helsinki Accords. Through its hearings, 
public briefings, bilateral communications and encouraging strong 
statements by the U.S. delegation at OSCE meeting, the Commission 
encourages compliance through public diplomacy and suasion. The 
Commission's work is significantly enhanced by the diligent work of 
non-governmental organizations both here in the United States and in 
the field. The commitment and effectiveness of the Commission and the 
staff which are expressed in this letter from the Union of Councils 
speaks for themselves. Mr. Speaker, these complimentary words about the 
work of the Commission and particularly the expertise of the staff are 
not uncommon. For the record, I would like to share excerpts from the 
March 10 letter.

       The Union of Councils for Soviet Jews has been a close 
     observer of the Commission's work since its inception. . . . 
     In the vast desert of policy and think tank meetings, largely 
     concerned with questions of economics, military defense, and 
     environmental protection, the Helsinki Commission stands as 
     the single oasis where those concerned with human rights, and 
     especially the grassroots efforts to support common citizens 
     in their quest to hold their national and local governments 
     accountable to the standards of democracy, rule of law and a 
     civil society, can invariably receive a responsive and 
     understanding hearing.
       The power and moral influence of the Helsinki Commission 
     lies in the commitment of its entirely bi-partisan membership 
     in the House and Senate. Its strength and the quality of its 
     assessments derive from one of the most dedicated and 
     professionally expert staffs I have encountered since I was a 
     Congressional staff member in the early 1960s. . . . The 
     Helsinki Commission's high standard of quality tends to 
     obscure the limitations in its scope and reach. While it is 
     difficult to measure quantifiably the opportunities thus 
     lost, those of us in the human rights community can attest 
     that the success of your work demands greater resources. No 
     other institution can match the Helsinki Commission. It would 
     seem incumbent on the Congress to strengthen your ability to 
     expand the staff, which is your most precious resource.

     

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