Assyrian Christian. Iraqi Jewsre likely to move toward the border areas as United States and other allied forces pull out. taking with them the umbrella of protection they provide for Iraqs minorities. But the Mideast is not the only area where we see the need for increased refugee fundIng. Throughout the world--In Africa. Latin and Central America. and along the ThaiCambodia border--conditions are dire. This aid could mean the difference between life and death for hundreds of thousands. if not millions. America just cannot look away. and we will not. This bill also provides $75 million to help Israel absorb the hundreds of thousands of Soviet Jewish refugees who arrive In that country daily. This year. even with the threatand then the realityof war. 225.000 refugees will arrive. Last year. 184.730 came to the Jewish state. The present cost of transporting Soviet Jews to Israel is $200 million a year. The refugee assistance funds in this bill will allay these costs. It also will assist Romanian and Iranian Jews. as well as the Ethiopians who are arriving daily in substantial numbers. It is important to note that none of the funds In this bill will be used to settle refugees beyond Israels 1967 borders. It is a longestablished policy of the United Israel Appeal. which administers this program. that United States Government fundsas well as funds raised privatelyonly be spent within the socalled green line. In short. I am pleased to support this legislation. Earlier there had been the fear that we would increase aid for one group of refugees by reducing aid for another. Mr. BERMAN has made clear from day one that it was his intention that we increase the overall authorization so that we would not pit one group of needy people against another.
Keywords matched
refugee refugees