Political Quotes

“I would like to echo the remarks of my friend, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Payne). I feel that he knows more and has done more than probably most anyone else in this body for the people of Africa. He has been there many times. He knows it well and he has worked hard. The chairman of the subcommittee, the gentleman from California (Mr. Royce) has worked equally hard and, I feel, been equally effective. What does this bill call for? This bill calls for support of democratic institutions. It calls for a free press and independent media. And yes, it calls for the rule of law, including private property rights. These seem like simple expectations, but yet they would be major, major advances for the people of Zimbabwe. What does this bill offer? What does it threaten? First, there are no sanctions involved. There is the offer of debt relief and there is the offer of aid for land reform if the people of Zimbabwe, if the Government of Zimbabwe is able to carry out these changes. Land reform seems to be the major issue. I appreciate those calling for land reform and I agree that land reform is the key to Zimbabwe's future. But why has land reform not worked in Zimbabwe? Basically Mugabe has essentially stolen the money that he had that had been given to this country to carry out land reform.”