Speech #960188255

Mr. President. I am introducing legislation today to provide emergency authority to respond to the growing needs of Afghanistan and Somalian refugees. A massive human crisis is developing in these two nations of major importance to the United States. In Pakistan. over a half million Afghan refugees have now flooded into its northern provinces. and in Somalia some 600.000 refugees have fled from Ethiopia. It would be a tragic error if we were to focus solely on the military and security issues along this socalled "crescent of crisis." when there is also a human crisis equally compellingand one that not only poses grave humanitarian problems. but also threatens the areas political and economic stability. I fully support the recent proposals to provide Pakistan with longterm economic aid as well as military assistance. But we must also be prepared to support substantial humanitarian assistance. to meet the human needs of refugees fleeing the Soviet invasion into Afghanistan. As Pakistans President has said. the International aid to the Afghan refugees has been "a drop in the ocean." The bill I am introducing will help meet these needs. as well as anticipate a forthcoming appeal for funds from the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees. Mr. President. I believe we must learn from the tragedy of Cambodiawhere no budget request for additional appropriations was ever received by Congress. We must act now to secure needed legislative authority. We cannot afford to wait for budget clearances that are too little and too late. while hundreds of thousands of refugees starve. And we should have no problem finding surplus American food. now that President Carter has dumped $2.8 billion in Russian grain back onto the American farmer and taxpayer. The least we can do would be to use this food. to the maximum degree possible. to support famine relief and to expand the Public Law 480 foodforpeace program. Although the administration is moving on a $5.5 million aid package for Afghan refugees. in response to the situation reported by the UNHCR many months ago. this will clearly be inadequate. Much more will be needed in the days ahead. Current reports estimate the number of Afghan refugees along the northern border of Pakistan at close to 500.000. with another 400.000 threatening to cross in the weeks ahead. especially if the fighting escalates. In Somalia. where the Ethiopian Armyequipped with Soviet weapons and reinforced by Cuban troopshas swept through the Ogaden border region. over a halfmillion refugees have already fled into Somalia. and the numbers are growing each day. We cannot stand idle in the face of this wave of human tragedy. engulfing critical areas and countries of strategic importance to the United States. We must be prepared to respond immediately to the forthcoming appeals by the UNHCR and others for funds. and to contribute our fair share.