I know he holds a legitimate desire to bring a peaceful solution to this longrunning conflict. But sometimes I wonder if the administration truly appreciates what is at stake here. The administration seems to believe there is an organic connection between settlements in the occupied territories and humanitarian aid to the refugees. The administration apparently thinks we can end the ArabIsraeli conflict. indeed we can do away with a millenium of cultural animosity. if only we can put a halt to the settlements. The administration has somehow come to the bizarre conclusion that cutting humanitarian assistance for needy refugees is the key to peace. It is a concept only George Orwell could appreciate. More than that. Mr. President. it is a recipe for failure. I stood here 3 months ago and said it then. and I will repeat it this morning: if the President really believes the refugees are the key to a geopolitical solution. I would like to see him try to explain it to them. Seventeen years ago. the JacksonVanik amendment to the Trade Act of 1974 called on the Soviet Union to let down her borders and allow her people to emigrate. Seventeen years ago. we made the principle of free emigration. the right of people to live anywhere in the world they choose. one of the cornerstones of our foreign policy. Now that the barriers to emigration are coming down. during the next 5 years over one million Jews will leave the former Soviet Union. And most of them. Mr. President. will choose to live in Israel. Id like to see how the President would explain to these refugees. the ultimate realization of the JacksonVanik dream. that we will link humanitarian aid to the settlement issue. That we will make them pawns in a dispute they did not create and want no part in. That we will hold them hostage to a dispute that runs so deep.
Keywords matched
emigrate emigration refugees