Speech #1000014451

I think the chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee might want to explain why he would object to something as sensible and necessary as the amendment I intended to offer. which is that we have a new resolve clause. to wit: The Congress hereby strongly urges the President to convey to the Government of the Soviet Union that the United States supports a negotiated political settlement to the Afghanistan conflict that: (A) Has the broad support of the Afghan people. I cannot imagine why the chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee would object to that. (B) Provides for selfdetermination of the Afghan people free from outside interference or coercion. I cannot imagine why Senator PELL would object to that. (C) Provides for the prompt. complete. and irrevocable withdrawal of all Soviet troops from Afghanistan. based on logistical criteria for such withdrawal. (D) Provides for the return of all Afghan refugees with safety and honor. and (E) Provides for the restoration of the independent and nonaligned status of Afghanistan. That is the sum and substance of the amendment which I intended to offer. which would have sensibly toughened the joint resolution before us now. and the offering of which has been blocked by the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. as I understand it. I regret that.