America will continue to play a crucial role in the preservation of peace and the prevention of wars in crisis areas. Foreign aid Is needed more than ever to meet our foreign policy and economic challenges around the world. The foreign operations appropriations bill for fiscal year 1993 contains funding for important programs--including $417 million for the Commonwealth of Independent States. $400 million for Eastern Europe. almost $670 million for refugee programs. $800 million for assistance to Africa. and $835 million for United States export and trade programs. Strengthening the emerging democracies of Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States will not only ensure international stability. but will create great trade and investment opportunities for U.S. businesses. These business opportunities will come at a time of shrinking gljbal markets. and Americas increasing dependence on foreign exports.