WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Foreign Operations held a hearing with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on the President’s fiscal year 2006 budget request and fiscal year 2005 supplemental spending request.  Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY), the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee, gave the following statement:

“I join Chairman Kolbe in welcoming Secretary Rice to her first hearing before the Foreign Operations subcommittee.  I congratulate you on your confirmation as Secretary and look forward to working closely with you.  

“I regret that we have such a short time to address such a wide range of topics. With my chairman’s indulgence, I intend to raise several concerns in my statement, and then follow up later during the question period.

“While I realize you do not have primary responsibility for conducting the war in Iraq, I expect that you will have a direct role in winning the peace.  I’m sure you’ll be working closely with Secretary Rumsfeld, General Patreus and his staff.  The General and his troops have the most difficult job imaginable, and I have great respect for them. 

“But I, and many others, have serious concerns.

“I congratulate the people of Iraq on their successful election.  The Iraqi people demonstrated to the world that they cherish the right to vote and that they will risk life and limb to exercise that right, as many peoples have done before them.  The elections were a definite and positive step towards democracy—a first step on a long road.  We all want to see a stable, democratic Iraqi government that has the support of its people.  Given that the United Iraqi alliance has captured a plurality – not a majority -- of the vote, tough negotiations lie ahead.  I would be interested in hearing your thoughts about how a friendly, representative government can emerge from the process.

“In addition to a strong democratic government, we understand that, in order to bring our troops home, it is necessary to have a trained, effective security force in place.  The Administration continues to assert that we have trained as many as 130,000 Iraqi security forces.  The actual number of effectively trained Iraqi security forces is less than half that.   I would appreciate your assessment of this situation.

“Progress also continues to be slow in reconstruction, with widespread power outages and high unemployment.  The original reconstruction plans appear to be overly rigid, and needs to constantly be adapted to the evolving realities on the ground.  I’m sure we will have a good discussion on these important issues.

“Now I would like to turn to the FY05 supplemental and FY06 requests.

“With respect to the FY 2005 Supplemental request, I applaud the request for tsunami relief, and believe that the U.S. has taken the opportunity to demonstrate our generosity and leadership in a time of global tragedy.  I remain concerned, however, that in both Sri Lanka and Indonesia, there seems to be a reluctance to draw on the shared tragedy of this event to work toward resolving long-standing conflicts.  It seems to me that this is an opportunity to move the parties towards conflict resolution, and to ensure that our reconstruction funds do not support repression of the Achenese people in the resettlement process.  Also, any form of reengagement with the Indonesian military on our part has to be accompanied with a strong push to achieving institutional reforms and respect for basic human rights. 

“I am enthusiastic about our role in what seems to be a unique opportunity in the Israel/Palestinian peace process.  Recent events have made me cautiously optimistic that both sides are truly embarking on a new future of coexistence.   I’m sure we are in agreement that we must remain vigilant in eliminating terrorist activity and infrastructure, and continue to ensure that safeguards are in place so U.S. funds support entities truly working for peace.   

“It remains unclear how the Administration plans to provide assistance to the Palestinian Authority.  I look forward to working with the Administration to advance the peace process; however, direct consultation is essential.  Far too often I am forced to rely on the media for current information.

“With respect to Afghanistan, I have grave concerns that the Administration’s proposal to begin aerial eradication of the poppy fields will destabilize an already fragile situation.  While we all regret the explosion of poppy cultivation there, spraying crops -- with no economic alternative for local farmers in place -- is a recipe for destabilization.  Skepticism about this approach is also shared by our military commanders in Afghanistan.  This proposal should not be approved until sound economic alternatives are in place. 

“I would note that the entire $82 billion supplemental request, including the $5 billion requested for international programs, is off-budget, adding to the federal budget crisis.  I was disturbed to find that almost $7 billion of the $75 billion requested for the Defense Department is for training and equipping Iraqi and Afghan forces.  Funds for these purposes have traditionally been under the oversight of the Foreign Operations Subcommittee, and should remain so.

“Turning to the FY 2006 request, I have to express my enthusiasm and disappointment.

“The 16% increase requested is a major milestone; however, the priorities selected, in my judgment, miss a golden opportunity.  We have finally achieved a consensus to increase our investment in international assistance, recognizing that it is vital to our national security.  Unfortunately, the vast majority of increased funding is going to the Millennium Challenge Corporation and for the HIV crisis.  Increased funding for the HIV/AIDS crisis is necessary and I support it.  Our challenge there is to continue a balanced approach to finding solutions. 

“However, because the organization of the new Corporation has been slow, and delivery of assistance was inevitably delayed, Congress is likely to deny a significant portion of the $3 billion requested.  Today, $2.5 billion has been appropriated, but not one dime has gone out to a qualifying country.  By my estimate, we will be fortunate if $200 million is spent in three or four countries during FY 2005.  Given that reality in a tight budget year, the $3 billion requested becomes a tempting target. 

“Unfortunately, this means lost opportunity for the world’s poor.  A careful look at the FY 2006 budget reveals that the delivery of actual assistance to many of our traditional aid recipients will actually decrease in FY 2006, if adjustments are not made.   

“This means opportunity lost on a number of fronts.  Our capacity to expand the number of countries where we conduct basic education programs diminishes.  Our capacity to spread the miracle of the political revolution in Ukraine to other former Soviet states that continue to suffer under dictatorship is lessened.  As we continue to spend billions in Colombia, we are ignoring Central America.  Their needs have been relegated to a low priority, despite the emergence of leaders’ intent on reform, and the rapid rise of gang activity and drug trafficking. Nicaragua is in the midst of a political crisis.  The resurging popularity of the Sandinista party may have been avoided with more concentrated and consistent U.S. help. 

“Programs to stem the rise of terrorism in secular Muslim countries outside the Middle East such as basic education, cultural and scholastic exchanges, and democracy building have gone unfunded.  Countries in crisis in Africa such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia and Liberia have received scant attention, and have unmet needs right now.

“I know you are well aware of the challenges ahead, Madame Secretary, and I appreciate your expertise and commitment, as well as the dedication and hard work of the State Department staff.  I hope we can work together to address the many challenges we share, and I look forward to your remarks.”