August 19, 1980 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS 22017 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS FOR A NEW FOREIGN POLICY and languages of countries throughout military has declined as pay for expe­ AND DEFENSE POSTURE. the world. For too long we have been rienced technicians and officers lagged willing to sit back and let people come well behind inflation. HON.E.THOMASCO~ to us. Today this is no longer desirable Should we be surprised that the Per­ or even possible. sian Gulf is disintegrating while our OF MISSOURI The United States and the Soviet leaders narrowly focus their energies IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Union are both competing for the on a small band of terrorists and fa­ Tuesday, August 19, 1980 hearts, minds, trade, and allegiances natics in Iran? e Mr. COLEMAN. Mr. Speaker, this of these Third World nations. And Should we be surprised that the So­ year the American people and their make no mistake about it, the Commu­ viets have occupied far-off Afghani­ Government have the opportunity to nists want total control of these coun­ stan-and are poised on the border of set a new course for our Nation's for­ tries. The Soviet pattern of using their Iran-when the administration finds eign policy and defense posture. own military force or proxy troops Soviet combat troops in nearby Cuba There can be no question that the continues unabated. Since 1974 nearly acceptable? 1980's could well be the toughest test 100 million people have been brought And finally, should we be surprised our Nation has faced in the field of di­ under Communist domination in that America and the world now Angola, Ethiopia, Afghanistan, South openly question our own military ca­ plomacy and world peace. While we pability as the failed rescue attempt in wrestle with th,e complex problems of Yemen, Mozambique, Laos, Cambodia, and South Vietnam. It is apparent we Iran lays bare the degree of our mili­ unemployment, recession, and infla­ tary equipment preparedness to an tion, we in Congress and the President must reverse and regain the geopoliti­ cal momentum. We must again use our amazed world? must not forget that, as one observer These questions, heightened by said, "the most important social serv­ national resources in the tradition of a great power. recent events, must be asked with a ice a government can do for its people We must always be aware of the sense of urgency in view of the Soviet is to keep them alive and free." complex interrelationships between Union's concerted, deliberate military Let me take just a few moments to what happens in the Far East and the growth. There is no question, however, discuss what I see to be the problems Middle East; between vital resources that the Soviet objective is clear stra­ and possible solutions for the dire situ­ and the directions of world commerce; tegic military superiority. ation we now face. between economic productivity and According to the Department of De­ Our Nation has endured humili­ national defense; between a nation's fense, in 1979 the Soviet Union spent ation, retreat, and injury abroad at ideology and its will; between national 50 percent more on defense than we the hands of fanatics and terrorists. will and the ability of its armed forces did. The Pentagon now estimates the American Ambassadors have been shot to prevent conflict. Soviets are using 11 percent to 14 per­ and killed, and American citizens are The cold reality is that our Nation's cent of their gross national product still the captives of terrorists in Iran. military might is being questioned as for defense purposes, compared with Our Nation and people have remained never before. A decade ago our Nation our own 5 percent. exceptionally tolerant and patient in was unmatched militarily. We were Soviet strategic nuclear forces have the face of these outrages. But Amer­ secure and much of the world took come from a position of substantial ica is growing impatient, the American shelter under the umbrella of our numerical inferiority 15 years ago, to people are growing angry. strength. As we enter the 1980's, for one of parity today-with the poten­ Recent events in Iran and Afghani­ the first time since the end of World tial for strategic advantage in the near stan-indeed, in the entire Persian War II there are s·erious questions future. At the same time, the Soviet Gulf area-make certain that America both at home and abroad about leadership has increased significantly no longer has the luxury of consider­ America's competence. its ground and tactical forces and ing any place on Earth too remote to Should we be surprised that our Far greatly expanded its seapower. Unless affect its own security. The fact is the East allies question our commitment the United States drastically increases United States depends heavily on im­ when the administration publicly an­ its military budget the Soviets will by ports for several of the basic minerals nounced the withdrawal of U.S. troops 1985 have unquestioned nuclear supe­ vital to a modem economy and mili­ from Korea, then waffled, then decid­ riority, overwhelming superiority on tary force. Chromium is an example­ ed to keep them? the ground and at least equality at a necessary ingredient to make stain­ Should we be surprised that our Eu­ sea. less steel, for ball bearings, sensitive ropean allies are alarmed and angered How the Soviets' military power will instruments, missiles, and aircraft en­ after they have acted on our word to be used is no mystery in light of recent gines-92 percent must be imported. develop the neutron bomb then the Soviet activities throughout the world. Our major sources are South Africa, administration decides not to do so? Soviet adventurism is clearly on the 33 percent; and the Soviet Union, 25 Should we be surprised that the So­ rise, increasingly taking the form of percent. Most of the known reserves in viets have undertaken an alarmingly Soviet military intervention. Soviet ac­ the world are in South Africa and Zim­ aggressive policy worldwide when we tions in Angola and Ethiopia in the babwe. Because of our dependence on consider that the United States has 1970's and their cynical, blatant occu­ Mideast oil supplies the Straits of steadily reduced its net expenditures pation of Afghanistan, illustrate this Hormuz is another critical area-a 12- on defense, while the Soviets were en­ trend with frightening clarity. Unless mile wide waterway through which 40 gaged in a massive arms buildup? An America acts now the Soviet Union percent of the free world's oil passes, inventory of the last 2 years shows the will be No. 1; the United States No.2. 20 million barrels a day, 800,000 bar­ White House vetoed congressional au­ Ironically. the Soviets as they rels every hour. Zinc, cobalt, titanium, thorization of a nuclear aircraft carri­ achieve this superior military position and numerous other important miner­ er, delayed production of the cruise may not even have to resort to its de­ als can only be found in the develop­ missile, the Trident submarine and the ployment to make war in order to ing or so-called Third World nations. attack submarine program, as well as reach their goals. The Soviets have Our relationship with these Third opposing the development of the B-1 learned that military power is usable World countries must improve. We bomber. Aircraft production has not not only in wartime, but in peacetime must become aware of the cultures even covered attrition. Morale in the as well. It is also a statement of politi- e This "bullet.. symbol ideritifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by the Member on the floor. 22018 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS August 19, 1980 cal power. It announces to their own THE CUBANS' FLIGHT TO FREE­ OUR COUNTRY'S FLAG oppressed peoples dominated by com- DOM-WHAT IT REALLY MEANS When I was a little child munism that defiance is not a viable I loved our glorious flag alternative. HON. ROBERT K. DORNAN I loved to sing such happy songs I was not known to lag. Let us always remember two things OF CALIFORNIA I about communism: First, no people IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES And when to womanhood had grown has ever freely chosen to live under a I lived on a foreign shore Tuesday, August 19, 1980 I lived there under an alien flag Communist regime; and second, no I loved mine more and more. nation continues under Communist e Mr. DORNAN. Mr. Speaker, Fidel Castro's sudden change to a liberal at­ I read about our heroic past control except through force. And in a Twas in the month of July larger sense the Soviet's military titude toward emigiation rights, allow­ Our forefathers met together might addresses the world-influenc­ ing all of those who want to leave The heat was very high. ing the behavior and thinking of other Cuba to do so, has revealed the degree The heat in Philadelphia was great nations-sometimes even our own of discontent which prevails in that Arguments were hotter still allies-as they hesitate to support the country. They argued and they really quarreled American position to boycot"t the Within hours of his announcement, And this went on until... Olympics or embargo trade in Iran. an estimated 10,000 Cubans had They had decided to break off packed into the Peruvian Embassy. Our attachment to the King As the chairman of the Defense We can only guess the numbers of And when they had decided so to do Committee of the West German par­ others who wanted to flee, but were How the bells did ·ring.