Speech #1000016964

Mr. President. the text of this message has been sent to the Secretary of State. and to Deputy Secretary John Whitehead and the U.S. Coordinator for Refugee Affairs. Ambassador at Large Jonathan Moore. That is the right place to address this message. for these are the people in a position to work with Thailand to aid the refugees and others affected by the closure of KhaoIDang and by the continuing vulnerability of the border. The organizations involvedamong them several representing other countrieshave asked that the text also be brought to the attention of the Senate. and that it reach a wider audience through publication in this REcoRD. I am doing so at their request. Action is needed so that the latter stages of the Southeast Asian refugee situation will be handled in a way that lives up to the noble record set by the United States and other countries in earlier stages of the Indochinese refugee crisis. Mr. President. on March 23 I was honored to join with the distinguished senior Senator from Oregon. Mr. HATFIELD. in sponsoring a proposed Indochinese Resettlement and Protection Act of 1987. which sets forth an innovative approach to accomplishing the actions needed to aid the Khmer and other displaced persons and refugees in Southeast Asia. The proposed legislation states a recommitment to Indochinese refugeesto their assistance and protection. and. where needed. to a renewed commitment for third country resettlement. The Senator from Oregon placed a number of newspaper articles in the REcoRD describing the plight of the Khmer in Thailand and along the ThaiCambodian border. Many of the articles are written by the very able New York Times correspondent in the region. Barbara Crossette. who deserves high commendation for her intelligence and resourcefulness in covering this story. and bringing the plight of the Khmer to our continuing attention. On March 24. the New York Times added its editorial voice to Ms. Crossettes distinguished reporting. calling for a "Recommitment to Indochinese Refugees." I ask that this editorial and the statement from the voluntary agencies in Thailand be printed in the RECORD.