On the recordJanuary 25, 1994
I think it is also important to spend a moment or two on the issue of privatization. What happens at the end of this process? The Senator from Massachusetts and the Senator from Delaware have already talked about the significant dollar savings involved. If we get this done today, get it to the House and through conference, this could be a $1 billion savings item. My goal at end of this process, by 1999 is that we no longer have American taxpayers paying for any of this operation. We can achieve that. This legislation includes a declaration by Congress that Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty's activities should be transferred to the private sector no later than 1999 and that the Research Institute should be transferred at the earliest possible time. In other words, when we say privatization, we do not mean privatization using Federal taxpayer dollars; we mean privatization. If somebody wants to continue it, go ahead and raise the money, but do not take it from American taxpayers. This provision recognizes that it is neither feasible nor appropriate for the U.S. Government to continue to maintain these radios in perpetuity. These were established for the purpose of undermining Communist governments. As the media develops in Eastern Europe, there is less and less reason to have a U.S. Government-funded surrogate radio service. I, frankly, think that we can cut back a lot farther, a lot sooner in Eastern Europe than the agreement contemplates.
