-Caveat Lector- <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/">
</A> -Cui Bono?-
Clinton urges funds for family planning abroad
Copyright � 2000 Nando Media
Copyright � 2000 APonline
For more about Africa, visit Africa News Online.
By DEB RIECHMANN, Associated Press
WASHINGTON (April 7, 2000 7:29 p.m. EDT http://www.nandotimes.com) - With Congress
debating a
new budget, President Clinton used Friday's observance of World Health Day to push
lawmakers
for increased U.S. financing of family planning work abroad - and to stop restricting
how the
money is used.
In his fiscal 2001 budget plan, Clinton proposed a $169 million increase in USAID's
international
family planning aid package and $25 million to support the United Nations Population
Fund,
which operates in 150 nations.
Clinton said 600,000 women die each year from complications related to pregnancy and
childbirth. He wants Congress to raise family planning assistance to 1995 levels, and
he wants
the money to come without a restriction dubbed the "global gag rule."
Using U.S. funds to perform abortions abroad has been prohibited since 1973. Last year,
Congress imposed a restriction on giving money to non-governmental organizations that
use
money from other sources to advocate for or provide abortions.
"Those congressionally sponsored restrictions impose a destructive double standard,"
Clinton
said. "When would we ever accept rules telling Americans at home not even to discuss
women's
health and women's choices?
"And how, in the name of democracy and freedom, can we impose those rules on others
which
would be illegal here in the United States?"
Clinton was joined at the World Health Day event by Secretary of State Madeleine
Albright and
Dr. Enyantu Ifenne, a pediatrician from Nigeria, who said it is commonplace in her
country for
12-year-old girls to marry and begin families.
She politely said the "gag rule" was "very un-American." Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y.,
was
more blunt. "Gag rules are enough to make you gag," she said.
Rep. Jim Greenwood, R-Pa., who led a fight in the House against the rule, urged
citizens to call
their congressmen and say: "I wouldn't let you gag me, and I will not let you gag
anyone
anywhere around the world."
Not all his Republican colleagues agree. Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., released a
statement after the
event, saying the president is criticizing the very legislation he signed.
"If the president were really committed to family planning - as opposed to abortion -
he would
enthusiastically embrace the pro-life policy, which is now, with his signature, the
law of the
land," Smith said. "This policy establishes a bright line of demarcation between those
groups
that support genuine family planning and those that refuse to divest themselves from
the grisly
business of abortion."
On Thursday, Reps. Nita Lowey, D-N.Y.; Christopher Shays, R-Conn.; Nancy Pelosi,
D-Calif.;
and James Greenwood, R-Pa., introduced a bill to repeal the gag rule provision.
"It's just a misunderstanding," said Majeed Khan, a visiting professor at the
University of
Wisconsin who attended the event in the East Room of the White House. "Where there's
good
family planning, the abortion rate declines."
http://www.nandotimes.com/healthscience/story/0,1080,500190246-500256378-501312506-0,00.html
Bard
Sir Rudyard's reasoned rhymes still rule in America. If Kipling were now in
the Colonies, he might add these verses to his classic:
When Billy was of draft age, Southeast Asia was the cause;
Tho' Uncle called, he ducked it without a moment's pause.
Now 'e's safe within the White House, the artful dodger yet,
Impeachment proof an' O so brave, when Kosovo's the bet.
For it's Tommy this an' Tommy that, but when Billy needs a boost,
'E throws Tommy to the lions, to keep the chickens off the roost.
An' it's Tommy this an' Tommy that an' any war's OK
As long as it's not Billy boy they're chuckin' in harm's way.
--- From the heart of a vet,
J.D. Wetterling
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