Speech #940043579

It simply could not be the case under the terms of this legislation as written. We have said that the money which we would authorize may be used for the evacuation of American citizens. dependents of American citizens. and permanent residents of the United States. Vietnamese nationals eligible for immigration to the United States by reason of their relationships to American citizens. and such other nationals to whose lives a direct and imminent threat exists. However. we have stated that only such forces to accomplish the evacuation of the first three categories may be used. We have said further that they may not use force except as a last resort. We do have. also. a time limitation. by the expiration of the fiscal year. The practical fact is that nobody intends In this bill any kind of military adventures on the part of American soldiers. I would support. however. our fulfillment of our responsibilities to American citizens. their dependents. and those people who are eligible for immigration as a matter of moral responsibility. and I would endorse the idea of our doing what we can for those other Vietnamese who. by their long association with us. by. in some cases. their relationships to people who have now become wives of American soldiers or former soldiers in Vietnam. those whose lives may be on the line. because of an association in good faith with us over a period of years. or relationships to American citizens. We have a clear and firm moral responsibility to do what we can for those people. It would appear to me that the limitations intended by the committee and written into the bill. coupled with the war powers resolution. coupled with section 7 of the bill which states that any of the provisions of this act may be rescinded by concurrent resolution of the Congress. that these things together comprise a very clear set of limitations marking the clear intent of the committee. which I must assure the Members Is the clear intent of the President and administration. that we simply do not involve ourselves in another military Intervention in Southeast Asia.