Speech #900177398

A great deal of time at the session was also devoted to the subject of the finances. It appears that even though ICEM has been receiving reduced contributions from the United States it has endeavored to carry on its full functions with diminished revenues. The delegates developed a revised budget and plan for expenditure which provided for a further reduction in the administrative personnel of the organization and authorized a transfer of funds from the migration loan fund and from the refugee loan fund. both of which have balances which may be devoted to operational expenses during the succeeding year. In addition. it will be necessary for the various member nations to increase their contributions by a total of approximately $350.Support for the revised budget plan appeared to be consistent with the sound policy of living within existing revenues and establishing both a top limit on expenditures and a schedule of priorities. I While this was my first introduction to ICEM and its activities. I was impressed initially by the scope of ICEM operations and its relationship with such other international bodies concerned with refugee and migration problems as the United Nations. the Council of Europe. the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. as well as nongovernmental organizations such as the International Council of Voluntary Agencies. the International Catholic Migration Commission. the International Rescue Committee. and the World Council of Churches. It is important that the Members of the House should be aware of the significant contribution to our national welfare and interest made by ICEM and to contemplate both the difficulties and the added expenses which would be encountered if ICEM activities were to be discontinued. I noted. for instance. that a large percentage of the refugees who now turn from the Communist East to the free world West are both skilled and educated. They abandon their former homes with a fervent desire to progress in the freer atmosphere of the West. Their talents are in great demand in many of the Latin American nations. as well as in Australia. To the extent that we are able to provide technical and educational assistance through this multination refugee program. the pressures for unilateral financial and technical assistance can be reduced. This is particularly so in Latin America. It is my expectation that the House Committee on the Judiciary will prepare a detailed report on this years session of the Intergovernmental Committee on European Migration which will be available later for distribution to all the Members of the House. In addition. I would like to comment on one further aspect of my experience. namely. my visit to the ICEM refugee center in Latina. Italy. My visit included conferences with Mr. James Wagner of the Divsion of Immigration at our U.S. Embassy in Rome and Mr. Charles Rogers. director of ICEM activities in Italy. Both of these gentlemen accompanied me on my inspection tour of the Latina center. Some 800 refugees. mainly from Yugoslavia. were being processed at the Latina Refugee Center at the time of my visit. It is my understanding that a total of some 3.000 will have received assistance at Latina in the course of 1967. Here. the refugees are interviewed by representatives of countries to which they may desire to emigrate and receive some language training in preparation for their intended environment. The Italian Government makes an independent contribution and assumes a major responsibility for many aspects of the work at this refugee center. This is probably a responsibility which the Italian Government could not very easily renounce. since the refugees cross from Yugoslavia to Italy and require humane and compassionate treatment such as no nation could very well withhold. In addition. a large percentage of the refugees at the present time have suffered religious discrimination and seek the support which they find available in Italy and the Western World. It was my feeling that the language instruction program at Latina was not adequate and that many of the refugees were merely receiving a type of institutional care while awaiting resettlement in the United States. Australia. Latin America. or elsewhere. There also seemed to me -to be opportunities for utilizing more fully the time and talents of the refugees in supporting the operations of the center. including the improvement of its appearance and the accommodations available there. Such observations. however. should not be interpreted as criticisms since as I have indicated. a substantial contribution to the Latina refugee center and its activities is from the Italian Government itself and the ICEM role is limited both in financial support and in overall management. In considering the work carried on at Latinawhich is duplicated in other ICEM refugee centers In Austria. and elsewhereit is well to keep in mind that if established and operated by our Nation independently the expense would probably be so great as to be virtually prohibitive. Refugees with education and skills are sought and sorely needed in Latin America and other developing nations. However. it appears that too few migrate to the places where they are most needed. While ICEM policy appears to be to permit migration to countries where refugees desire to move. the most serious consideration should be given to encouraging resettlement of refugees in areas where they are most needed. The economic gap between the developing nations appears to be widening and ways and means must be found for narrowing this gap. Certainly. our Nations participation in the work of ICEM can contribute to this end.