James T. Callahan: “I respect their passion and their concern for the people of Africa. But not once during my statement did I mention the…”

“I respect their passion and their concern for the people of Africa. But not once during my statement did I mention the continent of Africa. I did by chance mention Uganda because of the ridiculous situation that took place when the president bought the jet. I might remind the gentlewoman that even the President of the United States, Bill Clinton, has now decided that I am right and they have cut off further debt forgiveness to Uganda until such time as they can get this situation straightened out. My remarks were meant to be to the world. It applies to Central America. It applies to South America. It applies to Africa. It applies to every country where we are proposing to provide debt forgiveness. So I meant no disrespect to any race or disrespect to any continent. I am not condescending. I am telling you the facts. The facts are that we are giving $69 million of taxpayers' money towards this program to begin the process whereby in the process, and this is less than the Senate incidentally, that in this process they can come forward with a more responsible plan that can protect the integrity of the financial situation of these particular countries.”