[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 148 (Wednesday, October 27, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H10866]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        FAILED POLICY IN AFRICA

  (Ms. McKINNEY asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Ms. McKINNEY. Mr. Speaker, America is supposed to be a force for good 
in the world, but with our failed policy in Africa I am beginning to 
wonder if that is really so. How can a mother allow the world's 
children to be offered up as the most innocent victims of U.S. foreign 
policy?
  Madeleine Albright's first stop in Africa was a stark example of our 
continued failure on that continent. It was U.S. policy to do nothing 
to help the fledgling democracy of Sierra Leone. Only after that policy 
became a shameful embarrassment, the U.S. brokered the peace that gave 
important ministries in government to rebels whose hallmark was to rape 
little girls and chop off their arms.
  Unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, a share in government for rapists and 
mutilators is in Albright's own words the necessary price of peace, 
just like 5,000 dead kids a month in Iraq. After standing in line to 
shake hands with the victims of her do - nothing - to - help - when - a 
- little - help - can - make - a - difference policy, Albright 
remarked, ``It's hard to extend your hand to shake hands with people 
who don't have hands.''
  Mr. Speaker, the President has allowed his Africa policy to become 
insensitive, uncaring, and shameful.

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