Neither can Congress deny responsibility for the effects of executive actions. A fine line must be walked between refusing to endorse the singleminded policy of one branch of government and the collective responsibility we must all assume for U.S.-initiated policies. Under the circumstances it would seem that the most reasonable and compassionate approach is for Congress to authorize a significant upgrading of humanitarian assistance to all refugees in the region. regardless of the side they may have chosen in the conflict. and to funnel this assistance through the International Committee of the Red Cross and the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees to ensure that such assistance is not provided in such a way as to assist military units preparing for armed struggle. The debate this evening pits those who seek to have the United States identified with interventionist policies against those who would prefer a more pristine legal neutrality. In this regard. it is my belief that every Member of this body. whether or not supportive of the notion that covert action against Nicaragua may be efficacious. should be morally incensed that the law of the land which we ourselves crafted and the law of nations as reflected in treaties and covenants to which our country is party have been so cavalierly disregarded.
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Refugees refugees