[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 114 (Thursday, August 5, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1748]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      FOREIGN OPERATIONS, EXPORT FINANCING, AND RELATED PROGRAMS 
                        APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2000

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                               speech of

                           HON. ROBERT WEXLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, August 2, 1999

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2606) making 
     appropriations for foreign operations, export financing, and 
     related programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 
     2000, and for other purposes:

  Mr. WEXLER. Mr. Chairman, I strongly oppose the Burton Amendment to 
H.R. 2606, the Foreign Operations Appropriations bill, which would 
limit U.S. foreign aid to India.
  This amendment, which cuts essential aid to India, sends the wrong 
message to the government in Dehli. U.S./India relations have 
significantly improved since the end of the cold war. In reaching out 
to the United States and the international community, India has 
undertaken dramatic economic policy reforms to become a market-oriented 
economy. As of today, the United States is India's largest trading 
partner and largest investor.
  The Indian government has also taken constructive steps to improve 
its human rights record. We must recognize the Indian government's 
efforts and progress, and assist them in taking further steps to reduce 
human rights abuses in their country.
  Although the Indian government has made progress with respect to 
economic reforms and human rights, they face a much tougher goal of 
providing for a population of close to a billion people with a rapid 
population growth of 1.7 percent per year. Forty percent of India's 
urban population and half of the rural population live below the 
poverty level. The Burton amendment would cut crucial U.S. humanitarian 
aid to India that is desperately needed for disease control, population 
control, malnutrition, and rural development.
  India which is an important strategic ally of the United States 
borders Iran and Communist China. Like the United States, India has 
many security concerns, including the direct threat of terrorism. 
Radical terrorist outfits trained in Afghanistan and Pakistan, 
including that of Osam Bin Laden, have targeted and executed innocent 
civilians in Kashmir.
  I believe that the United States and India have already begun to see 
the benefits of improved bilateral relations. Unfortunately, this 
amendment reverses the gains made between our two democracies and 
denies humanitarian assistance to the most needy in India. I urge my 
colleagues to defeat this amendment.

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