Mr. Speaker. the plight of refugees In Cambodia has concerned. a number of us in Congress for some time. This concern has persisted despite efforts by executive branch officials. particularly In the Department of State. to play down the refugee situation in wartorn Cambodia and to disavow any responsibility on the part of the United States to assist directly Khmer war victims. Reports on the situation have been developed by the Government Accounting Office. by the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Refugees and Escapees. and by investigators for the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. These reports portray a different picture of the Cambodian refugee situation than that described by U.S. officials. These congressionally sponsored studies have indicated that large numbers of refugees in Cambodia are living in extremely undesirable circumstances and are suffering. because of inadequate nutrition. miserable living quarters. and insufficient medical attention. Believing that the United States bears some responsibility for the plight of these war victims. I sponsored an amendment to the Foreign Assistance Act of 1972 earmarking $2 million for their assistance.
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Refugees refugee refugees