Mr. President. as so often in the past. we see today a refugee crisis which is global in scope and tragic in its dimensions. Refugee problems afflict every region of the globe today and they present even greater challenges to our Nations foreign policy and humanitarian assistance programs. There seems to be no end in sight to the countless men. women. and children who continue to flee their homes and lands for all the reasons that lie behind the violence and conflict and persecution of our times. This past year the need for assistance and protection of refugees has grown substantially in many countries of first asylum. and there remain large numbers of refugees requiring thirdcountry resettlement. Refugees must be of concern to the United States. not only because of our Nations long and proud history in welcoming the homeless to our shores. but because refugees also pose critical international and foreign policy problems. We know from recent history that massive refugee movements can unbalance peace and stability in the world as much as any arms race or political or military confrontation. Yesterday. the Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration and Refugee Policy held a hearing to review the U.S. program of assistance to refugees. and to consult with the Presidents representatives on the number of refugees to be admitted to the United States In 1984. At the hearing. our distinguished colleague from Oregon. Senator HATFIELD. testified on his recent visit to Southeast Asia and his recommendations for the Indochinese refugee program. I believe this testimony puts into perspective the dimensions of our refugee resettlement program when he notes that this past year only about 5 percent of those individuals entering the United States are refugeesa very small number and hardly justifying the negative rhetoric we have heard from many quarters. Mr. President.
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