After all. the Soviets still owe the United States some $11 billion for World War II lendlease loans. and we all know those loans will never be repaid. I am not opposed to foreign Eximbhnk transactions in general. but I am opposed to loans of this nature. Trade is commendable only when it advances the causes for which this Nation stands. and until such time as the Soviets and other Communist nations demonstrate by deedsnot just wordsthat d6tente is possible. that they are willing to permit greater individual freedom for their citizens. that they are willing to allow freedom of emigration for their citizens. I think we have no oause to take that extra step to help those governments overcome their economic problems. This is especially true at a time when we are spending billions of dollars for defense against this very same Communist nation. Congress has already let the administration and Eximbank know where it stands on these issues. The House has already passed the Trade Reform Act which requires these credits not be extended until freedom of emigration is allowed. A majority of the Senate and House have expressed support for that measure. The Comptroller General of the United States has ruled that credits can be extended only when a specific determination that it is in the national interestof the United Stateshas been made by the President. something which was not done prior to the credit extension last week.
Keywords matched
emigration