Speech #920233662

I am suggesting today a four part program. First. because of our desperate need to know the details of the slaughter in Burundi. I propose that the Senates Subcommittee on Refugees attempt to ascertain: First. the extent of the killing. second. whether it is continuing. third. the number and location of refugees. and. fourth. what assistance the United States can provide. through multilateral or international organizations. Second. because the problem in Burundi is essentially an African problem. the United States should. first. request a report from the Organization of African Unity as to the nature and extent of the strife in Burundi. and. second. offer to assist the OAU in meeting the urgent needs of the people in Burundi. Third. because the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has already been informed that Burundi refugees are in Zaire. and because refugees might also be in Tanzania and Rwanda. our Government should request the U.N. SecretaryGeneral to instruct the High Commissioner for Refugees to conduct a thorough investigation of problems facing refugees as a result of the Burundi matter. Fourth. because the suffering is primarily within the country of Burundi itself. the U.S. Government should request the SecretaryGeneral of the United Nations to conduct a separate and thorough inquiry of the tragedy and report back to the United Nations as to how individual nations. such as the United States. might assist the United Nations in providing assistance to the people of Burundi. I am submitting three resolutions today which would incorporate my final three suggestions. calling upon the OAU. the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees. and the U.N. SecretaryGeneral to act and offering appropriate American assistance. Mr.