U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell today delivered the following statement during a Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee hearing on the State Department FY’05 budget request:
“Mr. Secretary, I want to begin my remarks this afternoon by thanking you and the President’s foreign policy team for your collective efforts to promote freedom across the globe. Nowhere is this more apparent than in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“Having traveled to the Middle East and South Asia some six months ago, I can attest that the citizens of those countries are better off today than they were under the repressive misrule of Saddam Hussein and the Taliban, respectively.
“I saw this firsthand through bustling, free commerce in the streets, freedom of expression that takes many forms, and through the words of grateful Iraqis and Afghanis whose once bleak future now holds promise and hope.
“To be sure, Islamic extremists are working hard to undermine these new-found freedoms and in desperation are increasingly attacking soft targets: innocent men, women and children. These terrorists know that each step toward democracy is yet another step in the death march for their hateful and intolerant ideology.
“In Iraq, we should expect increased terrorist activities in the days and months before the June 30th transition. Beginning July 1st – and under your watchful eye at the State Department – I am confident that the Iraqi people will not only stay the course but continue to further consolidate the significant gains they have achieved in such a short time.
“However, freedom is not free. This Senator thanks the many soldiers and civilians serving on the front lines of the global war on terrorism – whether American, Iraqi or Afghani.
“Today’s hearing affords this Subcommittee an opportunity to glean additional information on the President’s $21 billion, FY 2005 budget request for foreign operations. It would be helpful to have your insights into the request, both as Secretary of State and Chairman of the Millennium Challenge Corporation.
“I know several of my colleagues share my concern with the proposed funding levels for the SEED and FSA accounts, and while we support graduation of countries from U.S. foreign assistance we are troubled by developments in such places as Russia and Serbia. I want to commend you for giving voice to shared concerns during your trip to Russia earlier this year, and for not certifying Serbia’s cooperation on war crimes issues last week.
“It would also be useful to have your views on the proposed $100 million U.S. Emergency Fund for Complex Foreign Crises. This strikes me as a good idea given the need to respond with maximum flexibility to unanticipated events and opportunities, particularly in the Middle East and on the African continent. Libya comes readily to mind.
“Let me close with a few comments on Burma.
“Congress will begin the process of sanctions renewal in the next few weeks, and I deeply appreciate the President’s continued interest and leadership on this issue. I hope – and expect – that we can count on your support, Mr. Secretary, for continued sanctions, given the total absence of irreversible progress toward democracy in that country.
“It is simply not enough that Aung San Suu Kyi be released, or that she be given a last minute seat at the table. We can pretend that the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC) is serious about a constitutional convention – as Thailand seems intent on doing – but we should not have short or selective memories.
“Justice is due for the May 30th attack on Suu Kyi and the NLD, and the SPDC must be held accountable for its actions.
“I encourage you to renew and reinvigorate efforts to secure sanction regimes from the European Union and other professed supporters of freedom around the world. Unfortunately, I am hearing that international financial institutions – particularly the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank – are keen on re-engaging Burma. They do so at their own risks, and should begin finding other funding sources for the upcoming fiscal year because none will be forthcoming from this Subcommittee.
“Again, welcome Mr. Secretary. I look forward to your testimony.”
