[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 15]
[Senate]
[Pages 20490-20491]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       ASSISTANCE TO AFGHANISTAN

  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, it is now just more than a year since our 
Armed Forces started Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. This is 
a fitting time to look back at what we have accomplished, and ahead at 
the challenges that remain.
  I am reminded of a young Army private from Midland, SD, whom I met in 
Uzbekistan last February. He had gone to Uzbekistan just after 
completing a tour of duty in Bosnia, foregoing leave, because, he told 
me, that is where our country needed him.
  I am certain that each member of this body knows someone from his or 
her State who has made a contribution to our successful effort in 
Afghanistan. On behalf of every member of the Congress and the American 
people, let me say how proud and grateful we are for those efforts.
  Our military quickly and effectively accomplished its objective of 
removing the repressive Taliban regime. The challenge before us now is 
whether we can promote peace and economic and political stability as 
effectively as we waged and won the war. I am pleased to see the senior 
Senator from Vermont on the floor. I am wondering if he would engage in 
a brief colloquy with me on the subject of our humanitarian and 
reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan.
  Mr. LEAHY. Yes, I would.
  Mr. DASCHLE. As our colleagues know, Senator Leahy is the Chairman of 
the Foreign Operations Subcommittee. Two weeks ago, I listened with 
interest to the Senator's speech on Iraq, part of which he rightly 
dedicated to the situation in Afghanistan. Afghanistan is our first, 
and most visible effort in the war on terrorism. The eyes of the region 
and the world are watching whether we are willing to do what is needed 
to follow through in Afghanistan. I would like Senator Leahy to, once 
again, share his views on the developments in Afghanistan.
  Mr. LEAHY. I thank the distinguished majority leader for his 
question. Much has been accomplished in

[[Page 20491]]

Afghanistan over the course of the last year. The brutal Taliban regime 
has been vanquished to the ash heap of history. Thousands of Afghans 
have returned to their homes, and our humanitarian efforts have raised 
the standard of living of many Afghans.
  We have spent billions to win the war. I fear, however, that unless 
we dramatically increase our efforts there we could lose the peace. The 
humanitarian situation in Afghanistan remains critical. Thousands of 
people are still homeless and as winter comes, so too will the very 
real threat of widespread hunger, even famine. Afghans whose homes were 
mistakenly bombed have not been helped. There are reports that some 
Afghans are starting to return to refugee camps in Pakistan. It is a 
very dire situation.
  We have a moral duty to help the people of Afghanistan. Beyond that, 
there are critical U.S. interests at stake in ensuring that this 
country becomes peaceful and prosperous. That's why I was pleased when, 
earlier this year, President Bush called for a Marshall Plan for 
Afghanistan.
  I commended him for that important announcement, but since that time 
we have not seen the resources put behind these statements. No one is 
asking the Administration to spend 13 percent of the entire federal 
budget, as we did with the original Marshall Plan. But the 
Administration did not even ask Congress for a single cent for 
Afghanistan in its budget for fiscal year 2003. The Foreign Operations 
Subcommittee was advised informally that the Administration planned to 
spend $98 million for relief and reconstruction activities in 
Afghanistan. The Subcommittee felt that this amount was still 
insufficient to adequately address the needs in Afghanistan, and 
provided $157 million, an additional $59 million.
  I would also add that the Senate is not alone in its concern for the 
situation in Afghanistan. Just yesterday, I received a letter from the 
President of CARE, a non-partisan, relief organization with significant 
operations in Afghanistan, which stated:

       President Bush has committed the United States Government 
     to work ``in the best traditions of George Marshall'' and 
     help the people of Afghanistan rebuild their country. For 
     this goal to be achieved, CARE believes that the 
     international community, led by the United States Government, 
     must do two things. We must provide at least $10 billion in 
     reconstruction funding over the next five years, and we must 
     respond positively to the requests of the Afghan Government 
     to expand the International Security Assistance Force beyond 
     Kabul as part of a comprehensive plan to improve security for 
     all Afghans

  This letter goes on to say that a CARE report, ``finds that the U.S. 
Government has actually exceeded its one-year Tokyo pledge of $297 
million, primarily in the form of humanitarian assistance. Our concern, 
however, is that the Administration, to date, has not made any long-
term commitment to Afghan reconstruction.''
  Mr. DASCHLE. I thank the Senator from Vermont. There is clearly still 
much to be done in Afghanistan.
  Mr. LEAHY. I agree with the majority leader. As I have said over and 
over, it is one thing to topple a regime, but it is equally important, 
and sometimes far more difficult, to rebuild a country to prevent it 
from becoming engulfed by factional fighting. If such nations cannot 
successfully rebuild, there is a real risk that they will once again 
become havens for terrorists.
  Mr. DASCHLE. I would like to ask the Senator from Vermont if the 
Congress provided additional funding for Afghanistan in the 
Supplemental Appropriations bill that was passed earlier this year. 
Isn't it true that the Congress fully funded the Administration's 
request for a range of activities in Afghanistan during fiscal year 
2002? And weren't you subsequently told by officials in the State 
Department and USAID that this request was not nearly enough to address 
some of the most acute problems in that country? And isn't it true that 
the Congress added $94 million for humanitarian, refugee, and 
reconstruction assistance to Afghanistan, only to be told later by the 
President that he would not provide this additional assistance to 
Afghanistan?
  Mr. LEAHY. That is correct. Now, some relief organizations have 
already been told that they may have to shut down programs for lack of 
funds. This is happening in a country that desperately needs the most 
basic staples such as water, education and medical care.
  I agree with those who point out that many other nations have yet to 
fulfill pledges of assistance to Afghanistan. But, if the President is 
serious about a Marshall Plan, and I believe he is right, then we need 
to do much more to help rebuild that country.
  Mr. DASCHLE. I agree with the Senator. We need to find additional 
resources for humanitarian efforts in Afghanistan, but I know that the 
Senator, like me, is concerned about the deteriorating security 
situation. For months, in the form of letters to the Administration and 
amendments here on the Senate floor, we have been urging the President 
to expand the International Security Assistance Force beyond greater 
Kabul. Coalition forces provide much needed security throughout the 
country, but significant concerns remain, highlighted by the 
assassination attempt on President Karzai just last month. I know that 
the Senator agrees with me that expanding ISAF could play a central 
role in improving this worsening security situation.
  Mr. LEAHY. I strongly agree with the Majority Leader and thank him 
for this colloquy.

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