Speech #990280455

Mr. Speaker. further reserving the right to object. I rise in support of House Resolution 594. commending the Royal Thai Government for its extraordinary humanitarian contribution to the large. diverse refugee community in Thailand and for its continued willingness to remain a country of first asylum open to those fleeing repressive regimes in Indochina. As the ranking minority member of the Subcommittee on Asian and Pacific Affairs of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. I am pleased to be a cosponsor of the resolution introduced by our distinguished colleague. the gentleman from Massachusetts . and also cosponsored by the distinguished chairman of the subcommittee . It is both timely and appropriate to offer special recognition and appreciation to the Government and people of Thailand for providing a safe haven for nearly 2 million Indochinese who have fled from Vietnam. Cambodia. and Laos. in the wake of Communist takeover in those countries. The generous humanitarian response of the Thais has not been without great cost to that nation. in spite of outside assistance from the United States. the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and other governments and international refugee agencies. Congressional support in sustaining adequate U.S. assistance to these refugees is essential in ensuring that the United States fulfills its obligation to carry a fair share of the burden of caring for the thousands of Indochinese who remain in Thailand today. Clearly. there are continuing concerns in Congress with respect to such matters as the safety and protection of individuals on the border. the review of rejected Khmer cases. family reunification. education. piracy. and a number of other issues. I would urge the administration to work closely with the Thai in ensuring a satisfactory resolution to these ongoing problems. In this connection. I would also like to take the opportunity to commend the distinguished former Governor of Iowa. the Honorable Robert D. Ray. who recently chaired the IndoChina Refugee Panel established at the request of the Secretary of State. and which issued a report in April 1986. reviewing the refugee situation in Southeast Asia and making recommendations to ensure the responsiveness of U.S. refugee policies and programs to the humanitarian needs which still exist in that part of the world. The United States. a new homeland for over 800.000 Indochinese refugees. is honored to be in partnership with the Thai in this endeavor and we hope to maintain that close working relationship in the future. Again. Mr.