Speech #900155938

Mr. Speaker. recently. I traveled in Europe for the purpose of reviewing refugee. migration. and related activities in the principal asylum countries. namely. Austria. Germany. and Italy. I also had an opportunity to examine the Cuban refugee problem in Spain and to receive briefings from representatives of the Jewish Voluntary Agencies on the situation of Jewish communities in the Arab countries. For more detailed information on these two points. I refer you to supplement A and supplement B which I will include in my remarks. I was accompanied on these visits by Ambassador James Wine. special assistant to the Secretary of State for Refugee and Migration Affairs. and Mr. James L. Carlin. chief. refugee. migration. and Red Cross affairs. U.S. mission. Geneva. My legislative experience in the field of immigration and refugees extends now over a period of two decades. This experience. as well as my participation in some international activities related to the refugee and migration field. have given me what I believe to be a good appreciation of the refugee problem. still. it is a firsthand visit such as the one I have just made that renews the impact and improves the understanding of this continuing human drama. And let there be no mistake about it. the refugee problem in Europe is a continuing one. My trip has renewed my conviction that no single solution to it is possible as long as freedom and economic opportunities beckon from the free lands to human beings oppressed by tyrannical regimes regardless of the name under which they function. Seeing thousands and talking with many of the new refugeeescapees from the various Eastern European countries in processing centers in Austria. Camp Traiskirchen. Italy. Camp Latina. and Germany. Camp Zirndorf. has provided vivid proof that not even a thaw in the cold war will stop the drive of people out from behind the Iron Curtain. On the contrary. the thaw with its attendant relaxation on travel restrictions is producing increasing numbers of refugees. Some 7.000 escapees from Communistdominated countries have sought asylum in Western European countries during the first 8 months of this year. They have been predominantly from Czechoslovakia.