Speech #920233663

The unprecedented tragedy that swept the land and people of Bangladesh last year has rightly brought an unprecedented humanitarian response from the American people and Congress. Despite the slowness of our Government to react. the American people and the Congress have seen the birth of Bangladesh as a saga of human courage and tragedy rarely witnessed in modern timesa saga deserving of our concern and our help. Last year millions of Bengalis perished in the violence of the Pakistan Armys repression. while millions more sought refuge In India. and countless thousands died of disease and malnutrition in the refugee camps. Today. because of this violence and dislocation. more millions face severe food shortages and homeless nights. Never has there been so massive a shift in population. in as short a span of time. as the flow of nearly 10 million refugees into India last year. and their spontaneous return this year to a free and independent Bangladesh. It is. and will likely remain. one of the greatest human migrations of the 20th century. Last year the Congress voted $200 million to help return and rehabilitate these refugees who fled famine and war. and to help rebuild their lives and lands devastated by both manmade and natural disasters. This year. we must continue this help. I fully appreciate the Foreign Relations Committee report and why it did not recommend the full $100 million authorization for refugee relief assistance in Bangladesh. as requested by the administration. At the time of the report there was no public announcement as to how the administration planned to use the additional funds. In addition. the committee expressed its concern that the United States might get itself into the position of assuming the primary responsibility for the relief program in Bangladesh. The committees concerns are legitimate. and I commend its insistence upon proof from the administration of the capacity to program the funds in accordance with sound management standards and consideration for the contribution of other donor nations. However. -as chairman of the Subcommittee on Refugeesfrom my own close observation of this problem. both here and during my visit to Dacca in February of this yearI believe that the full $100 million is not only justified but is absolutely essential to permit the United States to continue to play the leadership role on which the entire international humanitarian effort depends. Although the administration refused to recognize Bangladesh and was unconscionably lethargic in providing the emergency assistance which was needed last January and February. nonetheless AID has now signed a $90 million agreement with the Government of Bangladesh. The agreement brings the total amount obligated out of the $200 million. to $168 million.