Speech #1030126015

Mr. President. as my colleagues know. I have long been an advocate for refugees around the world. Having just returned from Southeast Asia. I feel reinforced in my commitment to the refugee cause. Thus. I rise today to voice my concerns about the reorganization of the Bureau for Refugee Programs which is included in the authorization bill before us. The State Departments reorganization plan creates a new Assistant Secretary position to head the new Bureau of Population. Refugees and Migration. It abolishes the position of the Ambassador at Large and Coordinator for Refugee Affairs. and transfers the responsibilities of the coordinator for population affairs to this new Bureau. While I am a strong supporter of population programs. I am concerned that by combining population. refugees. and migration. the emphasis on refugees will be diminished. The Bureau for Refugee Programs was created in 1979 when it became apparent that refugee affairs were not getting the focus needed under the combined Bureau of Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs. Since 1979. this Bureau has served to highlight the critical importance of overseas refugee assistance and U.S. admissions. and has for years been the central advocate for humane and effective refugee policies. I am concerned that this new combination with population policy will lessen the visibility of a Bureau that has played a critical role in operating the refugee program. In a recent report released by the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees. the current worldwide refugee population is estimated at 18.2 millionup from 11 million just 10 years ago. Although the number of refugees in Southeast Asia has decreased. significant numbers of refugees are in crisis In the former Yugoslavia. Haiti. and throughout Africa. Clearly. refugee issues are as important today as they were in 1979. when the Bureau for Refugee Programs was created. Any diminished role on refugee Issues would be a tragic mistake. I considered introducing an amendment to the pending legislation to retain the status quo by reinstating the Bureau of Refugee Programs. In fact. during the last few days I have had several conversations with State Department Counselor Tim Wirth expressing my concern about this new combination. During those conversations. I was assured by Counselor Wirth that the President will appoint the current Senior Deputy Assistant Secretary for Refugee Programs. Phyllis Oakley. to head the new Bureau of Population. Refugees and Migration. Although Ms. Oakleys refugee background is limited to her short tenure at the Bureau for Refugee Programs. she is a distinguished senior foreign service officer who has expressed her commitment to refugee affairs. It is my hope that she will use this opportunity to continue as a strong advocate for refugeesa population without a constituency. I have decided not to propose this amendment because I respect the right of the executive branch to manage its agencies. I intend. however. to keep a careful watch over this new reorganization. It is a critical time for refugees around the world and the United States cannot afford to play a lesser role in the humanitarian protection of these individuals.