Because of these features and because I believe it is in our national interest to pass a foreign assistance bill which provides at least some policy framework for our assistance programs. I have decided to support H.R. 5119. I want to congratulate the distinguished chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs for his leadership and for his acumen in structuring H.R. 5119. which represents. "the art of the possible." As chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus Task Force on Haitian Refugees. I am especially appreciative of section 803 contained in title VIII. which concerns itself with. "Promoting the development of the Haitian people and providing for orderly emigration from Haiti." In this section. the Committee on Foreign Affairs expresses its concern for the promotion and protection of human rights in Haiti by conditioning assistance on the certification by the President that the Government of Haiti "is making a concerted and significant effort to improve the human rights situation in Haiti by implementing the political reforms which are essential to the development of democracy in Haiti. including the establishment of political parties. free elections. and freedom of the press." Section 803 also states thatIf the President cannot make such a determination. fiscal year 1985 economic and military training assistance to the Government of Haiti cannot be obligated. however. under section 123(e) of the Foreign Assistance Act economic assistance can continue to be provided through PVOs. and Public Law 480 food assistance programs can continue. I very much appreciated the committees cooperation in structuring this section which reflects a shared concern with equitable. bottom up development. and human rights. Section 803 provides a narrative on recent developments in the human rights area which are not reflective of forward movement in this area.
Keywords matched
Refugees emigration