Speech #920118485

I imagine the distribution of food. at least. in India. is on a little bit more orderly basis. I call to the attention of the Senator that the committee adopted this amendment "to stress its concern that governmenttogovernment channels be minimized in the distribution of relief and to forestall the possible buildup within the Agency for International Development of a large operating arm to carry out disaster relief programs": Such assistance shall be distributed. to the maximum extent practicable. under the auspices of and by international institutions and relief agencies or United States voluntary agencies. This was an effort to avoid what the Senator is asking about. the intervention of the Government or the diversion of this food or material. clothing. and so on. to activities other than caring for the refugees themselves. There is a very considerable limit to what a committee can do or what Congress can do. other than state the policy that this is the way it ought to be. I think the committee has done what it can to say this is the way it ought to be.