DATE=3/15/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=CONGRESS-RUSSIA (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-260225
BYLINE=PAULA WOLFSON
DATELINE=CAPITOL HILL
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The Speaker of the U-S House of
Representatives is setting up a special panel of
Republican congressmen to examine United States policy
towards Russia. V-O-A's Paula Wolfson reports Speaker
Dennis Hastert (who is a Republican from the state of
Illinois) says the task force will review all aspects
of Washington's relationship with Moscow.
TEXT: The creation of the task force was announced at
a news conference with political overtones.
Speaker Hastert says the benefits of America's Cold
War victory over the Soviet Union have been squandered
by the Clinton administration.
/// HASTERT ACT ///
Over the past seven years, the situation in U-S
- Russian relations has deteriorated as a result
of a failed Clinton-Gore Russia policy.
/// END ACT ///
The speaker named 12 senior members of his Republican
Party to the task force, under the leadership of
California Congressman Christopher Cox. Mr. Cox also
spoke in terms of opportunities lost.
/// COX ACT ///
After the collapse of the Soviet empire, most
people believed that a new democratic Russia
would be a natural friend and ally of the United
States. That is not happening right now.
/// END ACT ///
All the members of the task force are strong critics
of the Clinton Administration. Democrats were not
pleased by the formation of the panel, and charged
they were being shut out for political reasons.
Republican leaders in the House responded by saying
they have a right to set up an advisory group made up
solely of party members. The task force is scheduled
to report on its findings and recommendations to
Speaker Hastert in June. (Signed)
NEB/PW/WTW
15-Mar-2000 14:57 PM EDT (15-Mar-2000 1957 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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