Smith
Writes Several Provisions of Key
Foreign Relations Bill that Passes House
WASHINGTON, D.C. The House of Representatives
approved a wide-ranging foreign relations bill that contains several
provisions authored by Congressman Chris Smith, Vice Chairman of the
House Committee on International Relations. The bill passed the House
this afternoon by a vote of 382-42.
Among the provisions authored by Smith is his Vietnam Human Rights Act,
which will prohibit any increase in U.S. non-humanitarian aid
to Vietnam unless Hanoi makes significant progress toward releasing
political and religious prisoners and respecting the human rights of
ethnic minorities, among other things. The language, authored by Smith
as a stand-alone bill and then incorporated into the larger foreign
authorization legislation, will also authorize funds to overcome Hanois
jamming of Radio Free Asia.
Other provisions authored by Smith include an investigation of
anti-Semitic rhetoric and glorification of Palestinian suicide bombers
found in textbooks given to children in Palestinian refugee camps, as
well as a provision to enable the U.S. government to provide additional
assistance to real refugees while maintaining national security
standards.
Smith also successfully offered an amendment on the House floor
to prohibit U.S. taxpayer dollars from going to organizations that
perform or promote abortions under the guise of family
planning.
The FY 04 Foreign Relations Authorization bill is a strong
pronouncement of our nations human rights goals and our commitment to
helping those throughout the world who suffer from oppression and
tyranny,Smith said. Human rights must be a central ideal and goal
of our foreign policy, especially if we expect other nations to grant
such fundamental rights to their own citizens.
I am particularly pleased that HR 1950 includes my Vietnamese Human
Rights Act, which will ensure the U.S. government does not engage in
activity to benefit the Peoples Republic of Vietnam as long as that
nation continues to abuse and maltreat its citizens,Smith added.
Following are brief summaries of the other policy provisions in the
bill authored by Smith.
" The addition of $310.6 million over two years as well as significant
policy changes to help the U.S. provide additional humanitarian relief
to refugees people who have fled their homes to escape persecution,
torture, and death threats while ensuring all candidates are properly
screened to meet stringent qualification and security standards.
" An investigation of several instances of anti-Semitic rhetoric and
the glorification of terrorist groups and terror attacks that have been
found in textbooks and other education materials provided to
Palestinian refugees by a United Nations relief agency (UNRWA).
" A doubling, to $1 million, of the scholarship funds available to help
students of the new nation of East Timor attend college in the United
States. East Timors university was destroyed by the Indonesian military
in 1999. The additional funds will increase the number of students from
five or six to 12 to 15.
" Language that calls upon Indonesia to cooperate with the effort to
bring to justice perpetrators of war crimes in East Timor. Also
authorization of $50 million in aid to East Timor over the next two
years.
" Increasing by $1 million ($6 million total) the FY 04 U.S.
contribution to the UN Voluntary Fund for the Victims of Torture.
Authorizes funding for FY 05 at $7 million and funding for FY 06 at $8
million.
" An amendment to prohibit U.S. funds from going to any organizations
that perform or promote abortions, such as the United Nations
Population Fund, which has given support to Chinas policy of forced
abortion and forced sterilization.
" Portions of the Belarus Democracy Act which will increase
U.S. support for efforts to promote democracy and human rights by
aiding activities promoted by non-governmental organizations,
independent media, and other means was included in the
legislation. It also calls for free and fair elections unlike
those held in 2000 and 2001 that were tainted and fixed by the current
dictatorial regime of Alexander Lukashenka.
" Language that calls for an increased U.S. role in trying to
peacefully resolve the 16-year conflict in Northern Uganda that has
resulted in the deaths of nearly 25,000 people, about half of whom were
civilians.
###
For Immediate Release: July 16, 2003
Contact: Nick Manetto (202) 225-3765
FVA Home Page