Benjamin Gilman: “H.R. 4249, introduced by the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Gejdenson), seeks to focus on the policies of our Nation…”

“H.R. 4249, introduced by the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Gejdenson), seeks to focus on the policies of our Nation and the European Union with regard to Northern Europe, an area that includes the Baltic region and the northwestern region of Russia. I have been concerned that the European Union, while acknowledging the extensive problems that exist today in its own backyard in Northern Europe, has yet to take action to provide the kind of substantial aid that will be needed if those problems are going to be properly addressed. My distinguished colleague from Connecticut has graciously incorporated into his bill provisions I suggested that make it clear that the European Union must take the lead in addressing those problems and must, in particular, provide the substantial aid that is going to be needed to deal with that. In my view, any assistance provided at this point by our Nation should be clearly understood by the European Union to be a supplement to its aid, not a substitute for the substantial EU assistance that is going to be required. I have no objection to our Nation lending a hand on those problems.”