Speech #870124066

In authorizing the continuation of this program. the committee has included in the reportHouse Report No. 1066. pages 26 and 27certain recommendations designed to prevent the further erosion. misconstruction. and misapplication of the program as originally conceived. We are convinced that political and defense aspects of the escapee program are the sole justification for its existence. If strictly humanitarian and social welfare aspects of the escapee program were to remain as manifest in its operations as thei are evident now. the entire program could be placed in the hands of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the Intergovernmental Committee for European Migration operating jointly. The only reasons why the committee recommends that the program be continued. are considerations of the national interest in its political and defense aspects. not readily ascertainable within the last several years of the programs operations. The committee pledges to the House its continuous supervision of that particular program and wishes to serve notice that the tenor of further recommendations as to the continuation of this effort will depend on the results of an urgently needed full and complete review of the policies and operations.