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“THE IMPORTANCE OF AN INDEPENDENT U.S. INFORMATION AGENCY” mentioning the U.S. Dept of State was published in the Senate section on pages S13477-S13478 on Sept. 12, 1995.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
THE IMPORTANCE OF AN INDEPENDENT U.S. INFORMATION AGENCY
Mr. HEFLIN. Mr. President, I firmly support the continuation of a strong, independent U.S. Information Agency. The USIA serves a vital purpose in telling America's story to the rest of the world. It serves the critical function of advancing public diplomacy, broadcasting through its radios and Worldnet, enabling educational and cultural exchange programs, distributing information, and promoting a sense of shared cultural values. These programs not only serve our national security interests. They also provide direct economic benefits and foster a climate where American businesses can develop overseas markets, producing jobs, and providing wages for American workers.
We must remember the important distinctions between the official type of diplomacy conducted by our State Department and what is known as public diplomacy. The State Department conducts a quiet, often secret, dialog between countries with an emphasis placed on accommodation, negotiation, and compromise. These are all important, since they nurture relationships between countries to achieve broader goals. Public diplomacy such as that conducted by USIA seeks to foster direct economic relationships, engages in democratic institution-building, and encourages mutual understanding and a shared sense of values.
A classic illustration of the parallel nature of the two types of diplomacy occurred during the period when martial law was declared in Poland. At a time when private organizations, including the AFL-CIO, were engaged in a massive effort to assist the Polish trade union Solidarnosc, the Reagan administration was taking steps to ease economic sanctions that had been imposed on the Jaruzelski government. Because of the arms-length distance between the government and the private sector, both could pursue their goals. This was true also in Russia, South Africa, the Philippines, and Chile. If this bill passes without the Lieberman amendment, such distance will disappear, and this type of dual diplomacy will prove impossible. If USIA is folded into the State Department, its public diplomacy functions will be severely diminished, particularly in areas where democracy needs them the most in order to survive.
Another major reason for my support of a continued independent USIA stems from its programs of exchanges for emerging foreign and American political leaders. Over the years, these programs have brought young local and Federal officials to America for a first-hand look at our Government and how it works. More than 30 current heads of state had their first exposure to the people and institutions of the United States through the USIA Exchange Program. Hundreds of cabinet ministers, mayors, governors, and Members of Parliament around the world formed their first opinions of America by coming here and meeting people where they work and live.
Hundreds of other leading political figures both here and abroad have gained valuable international experience through USIA's support for programs like that of the American Council of Young Political Leaders. Twenty-five Members of Congress and countless State and local officials around the Nation are alumni of these programs. All will testify to the positive impact of these programs.
The USIA's rule of law program is an example of its efforts in assisting developing democracies worldwide. This particular program has been actively engaged in the area of judicial reform in Romania, perhaps once the most oppressive of the former Communist regimes. Through the posting of American judges at the Ministry of Justice for long-term projects, programs to strengthen the Magistrates' Training Institute, and ongoing support for the newly founded Magistrates' Training Association, USIA has established itself as a leader in assisting Romania in its attempts to establish an independent judiciary. American judges and academics have traveled to Romania under the auspices of USIA's Fulbright Program and have been posted to law schools throughout the country to teach and develop curricula and to work with the judiciary on numerous issues of importance. Romanian judges have also visited the United States under the Agency's International Visitor Program for 30-day observation and consultation trips to witness first hand the American judiciary and to gather information to assist in their judicial reform efforts.
The USIA also supports such projects as the American People Ambassador Program, a program of people to people international. This program arranges face-to-face professional, scientific, technical, and community exchanges between Americans and their counterparts around the world. Each one explores a different topic, but all share the personal exchange of information, ideas, goals, and experiences with leading public and provide sector citizens of foreign countries.
One such program in my State is the torch of Birmingham Award Program, which seeks to honor Russian companies and those in the Newly Independent States who are succeeding despite difficult economic conditions. In September, over 400 Russian business and government leaders will be coming to Birmingham to participate in this event. They will represent every imaginable segment of the Russian economy, and will network with leading Alabama business, political, and community leaders. The USIA and its resources are essential to organizations like the American People Ambassador Program which operate exchanges around the world.
All of us are keenly aware of the budgetary constraints we face. But we must not be short sighted by eliminating investments in our Nation's future and security. Who can say whether or not educational and cultural exchange programs will be maintained if they are placed in a department with a significantly different mission, set of priorities, and official purpose?
The world remains just as dangerous as it has ever been. new threats have replaced some of those which ended with the cold war. But they are just as real and threatening to international peace and stability. The world looks to us for leadership--leadership with a strong voice. I applaud Senator Lieberman's efforts to ensure that America continues to have that strong voice through an independent USIA, and look forward to working with him on this issue when the State Department reauthorization bill is again brought before the Senate.
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