Political Quotes

“I rise to oppose this well intentioned amendment by the distinguished Senator from Pennsylvania. Obviously, when the United States does make international loans, we should have assurances that the recipient will be able to repay them. Granting loans to countries in the former Soviet Union is in our best interest. A solvent Russia is imperative if democracy is to flourish there. Russia is in serious need of assistance. And we will regret it in the long run if we turn our backs on the reformers in that country. Adopting this measure, which singles out the countries of the former Soviet Union, will lend the appearance that the United States is seeking to gain possession of the natural resources of those countries. We do not require other countries to use collateral, but the issue is beyond that. Nationalists will argue that this provision converts loans into a Trojan horse for foreign domination, strengthening the radicals. Zhirinovsky will relish this. He will announce that the true aims of the United States toward Russia have surfaced; that now that we have crippled them we are set to plunder their resources. These are clearly not our aims and I would not want them to be misconstrued as such. Every effort must be made to encourage democratic reforms in the former Soviet Union and to assist in economic reforms. This amendment strays from that purpose and must be opposed.”