Mr. Speaker. in 1974 the Congress established a special requirements fund of $100 million. under the foreign assistance act. to help "foster a climate conducive to increased economic development. thereby contributing to a community of free. secure. and prospering nations in the Middle East." The foreign aid measure also expressed the sense of Congress that funds should not be provided "to any nation which denies its citizens the right or opportunity to emigrate." In January the President advised the Congress of his intention to make $25 million in agricultural aid available to Syria. Although Syrian Jews are forbidden to leave their countryeven to be reunited with families in countries distant from Syriaa resolution of disapproval was not offered at that time. primarily because of Secretary Kissingers efforts to negotiate a settlement in the strifetorn Middle East. However. some 82 House Members urged. in a letter to Dr. Kissinger. that efforts be made to "prevail upon the Syrian Government to give those Syrian Jews who wish to leave their country the right to do so." Unfortunately. no substantive progress has been made and Syrian Jews continue to be captives in their own land. Syria is in clear violation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rightsto which it is a signator and which guarantees freedom of emigration. Thus. when the administration late last month informed the Congress of Its intention to obligate an additional $58 million in aid to Syria under the special requirements fund. I felt that the United States could not continue to furnish assistance to any nation which denies its citizens the freedom of movement and emigration. Accordingly. I drafted a resolution of disapprovalin accordance with the provisions of section 903(b) (2) of the Foreign Assistance Actand introduced it last week.
Keywords matched
emigrate emigration