Confirmation Hearing for Ernest W. Lefever
Confirmation Hearing for Ernest W. Lefever
Confirmation hearing for Assistant Secretary of State for Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs nominee Ernest W. Lefever before U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, U.S. Senator Jesse Helms (R-NC) asking Lefever what his position is on international affairs and disappearances of people. Helms discusses hearing process for Lefever’s nomination, says both the opposition and support to Lefever’s nomination are on a partisan basis. Helms discusses his support for Lefever, which is based on careful study of his background. Helms says Lefever has a commitment to principles of peace and freedom, suggests that Lefever does not let stinging questions or audience laughter deter him from being candid. Helms does not think all Senators are trying to make South Africa a “whipping board,” believes the question is whether Lefever is a sincere man, an intelligent man, and a man dedicated to human rights. Helms believes Lefever has passed with flying colors on all accounts.
Confirmation Hearing for Ernest W. Lefever
Confirmation hearing for Assistant Secretary of State for Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs nominee Ernest W. Lefever before U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, U.S. Senator Jesse Helms (R-NC) saying the world needs to get together on the issue of South Africa. Helms says many people will starve to death. Helms says the best way to get the cooperation of a country is to work with it. Helms cannot think of a nation that is perfect, not even the U.S. Helms believes Lefever is a well-qualified nominee, asks Lefever if he espoused conscientious objection as a young man. Lefever says yes. Helms asks if Lefever changed his views on conscientious objection; Lefever says yes. Lefever talks about being brought up in the Peace Church of the Brethren, says he comes from a family of religious pacifists. Lefever says his views were partially changed during his studies at Yale, completely changed by 1948 after three years in Europe. Lefever says he was no less concerned with issues of peace and justice, but now believes he is more realistically concerned. Helms believes most of the opposition to Lefever is subconsciously partisan, says the Senators on the committee are great, even though they do not always agree. Helms say partisanship instinctively motivates opposition and support.
Confirmation Hearing for Ernest W. Lefever
Confirmation hearing for Assistant Secretary of State for Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs nominee Ernest W. Lefever before U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, U.S. Senator Jesse Helms (R-NC) asking Lefever if he believes his views on foreign policy and human rights to be in line with those of President Ronald Reagan. Lefever says he supports Reagan's foreign policy, says he was on a number of task forces in connection with Reagan’s campaign. Lefever says he served on a transition team for the International Communications Agency, knows that Reagan, Secretary of State Alexander Haig, and himself agree with one another. Lefever says Haig and himself have identical views. Assuming his confirmation, Senator Helms asks Lefever if his stance on human rights is the same as Reagan; Lefever says yes. Lefever discusses his obligations as a public servant, says he must serve the Constitution and the laws of the land. Helms asks about a break in the human rights record from previous administration; Lefever says this claim is preposterous, says the intention of Jimmy Carter’s human rights record is laudable and has scored some important successes, but could have been far more effective.
Confirmation Hearing for Ernest W. Lefever
Confirmation hearing for Assistant Secretary of State for Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs nominee Ernest W. Lefever before U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee; Lefever says he agrees with former President Jimmy Carter’s statement that “the United States did not create human rights, human rights created the United States.” Lefever says human rights is what politics is all about, man’s ancient struggle for freedom, dignity, and self-respect. Lefever thinks he has the most exciting job in the government because he will be in a position to remind himself that the fundamental function of politics is justice, freedom, and dignity. U.S. Senator Jesse Helms (R-NC) asks if there is no disagreement across the committee or country, regardless of partisan considerations, that human rights is not only an essential goal, but an imperative goal. Lefever believes the only legitimate argument among people who believe in the Bill of Rights is the question of means. Lefever says the suggestion that the Reagan administration is downplaying rights is unfounded. Helms asks if the best way to prove a stick is crooked is to lay a straight one beside it; Lefever says yes. Lefever believes the force of example is the most effective weapon in nudging history in a more humane direction. Helms closes his line of questioning.
Confirmation Hearing for Ernest W. Lefever
Confirmation hearing for Assistant Secretary of State for Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs nominee Ernest W. Lefever before U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, U.S. Senator Paul Sarbanes (D-MD) discussing Lefever’s opening statement, questioning him if the 340 people mentioned in his opening statement participated in a conference of the Ethics and Public Policy Center, authored an article, or served as a director; Lefever says yes. Sarbanes asks how many have been directors of the Ethics and Public Policy Center; Lefever has to reexamine list, names individuals who have either directed or been on the board of the Ethics and Public Policy Center, including U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Jean Kirkpatrick. Sarbanes asks who is presently on the board of the Ethics and Public Policy Center; Lefever lists board members. Crowd of predominately adult Caucasian male press of Congressional staff members taking notes at tables.
Confirmation Hearing for Ernest W. Lefever
Confirmation hearing for Assistant Secretary of State for Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs nominee Ernest W. Lefever before U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, U.S. Senator Paul Sarbanes (D-MD) asking Lefever who is currently on the board of the Ethics and Public Policy Center; Lefever says board size has been reduced. U.S. Senator S.I. Hayakawa (R-CA). Lefever lists current board members. Senator Sarbanes discusses Lefever’s testimony before the House Subcommittee on International Organizations, cites Lefever as calling for removal of U.S. statutes that establish human rights standards for foreign countries. Sarbanes cites Lefever as saying it should not be required for any friendly nation to pass a human rights test before they can enter into trade relations, sell arms, or receive economic assistance from the U.S. Sarbanes asks if Lefever still holds this position. Lefever says no, that his House statement on human rights statutes was too flat. Sarbanes asks Lefever for his current position; Lefever says he will observe the law of the land.
Confirmation Hearing for Ernest W. Lefever
Confirmation hearing for Assistant Secretary of State for Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs nominee Ernest W. Lefever before U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, U.S. Senator Paul Sarbanes (D-MD) citing book excerpt from former U.S. Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare Joseph A. Califano in which he wrote about the struggle between his personal views and the law of the land. Senator Sarbanes asks Lefever what he thinks the law of the land should be, cites Lefever as saying U.S. statutes should not establish a human rights condition for foreign countries dealing with the U.S. Lefever says he revised his former views, believes laws identifying a human rights standard are appropriate. Lefever discusses the Jackson-Vanik Amendment on human rights and trade.
Confirmation Hearing for Ernest W. Lefever
Confirmation hearing for Assistant Secretary of State for Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs nominee Ernest W. Lefever before U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, U.S. Senator Paul Sarbanes (D-MD) asking Lefever if he always thought Jackson-Vanik was a good law; Lefever discusses expressing his views to staff of Senator Henry M. Jackson while the amendment was under debate, says there is great division in the country and the Jewish community. Lefever says he supports the amendment, has never opposed it, that at the time of the amendment he was concerned about technological transfers to the Soviet Union. Lefever says he was reassured the law would not make the transfer of technology to USSR easier, that he was satisfied with the law.
Confirmation Hearing for Ernest W. Lefever
Confirmation hearing for Assistant Secretary of State for Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs nominee Ernest W. Lefever before U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, U.S. Senator Paul Sarbanes (D-MD) asking for his view on other statutes that establish a human rights standard. Lefever thinks all of the laws on the subject, with a new administration, and a new mandate should be reviewed, with consultation from persons like Sarbanes. Lefever looks forward to improvement of human rights laws, hopes to have a more effective implementation of human rights concerns throughout foreign policy. Sarbanes asks if Lefever believes any human rights laws should be repealed in line with his prior position; Lefever says his prior position has been wiped from the books, that his present position is that of careful review, with knowledgeable people to create a more effective policy. Sarbanes asks Lefever if he believes U.S. statutes that establish a human rights standard for foreign countries should not be removed; Lefever says yes. Sarbanes asks Lefever if he now believes we should not remove any clauses that establish a human rights standard; Lefever says the function of laws in the U.S. allows, unlike in some foreign countries, for amendment.