Congressional Hearing - Alexander Haig
Congressional Hearing - Alexander Haig
Preparations before Confirmation hearing for U.S. Secretary of State Alexander Haig before the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Adult Caucasian female Congressional staff member sits at hearing table for camera test. Two adult Caucasian men conversing in the audience, predominately adult Caucasian female and male press or staff members working at table in BG; one adult African American man among them. U.S. Representative Toby Roth (R-WI) taking his seat.
Congressional Hearing - Alexander Haig
Members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee posing for a group picture with U.S. Secretary of State Alexander Haig. Secretary Haig standing with U.S. Representative William Bloomfield (R-MI). Committee members gathering for group picture, including U.S. Representatives John LeBoutillier (R-NY) and Millicent Fenwick (R-NJ). U.S. Representative Benjamin Gilman (R-NY). Secretary Haig posing with committee members. Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman, U.S. Representative Clement J. Zablocki (D-WI).
Congressional Hearing - Alexander Haig
Adult Caucasian man standing on a platform, directing the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee members for their picture with U.S. Secretary of State Alexander Haig. Picture is taken and Secretary Haig takes his seat. Three adult Caucasian men and one woman setting up table on hearing floor. Adult Caucasian male photographers clearing table for Secretary Haig. Secretary Haig seated at table.
Congressional Hearing - Alexander Haig
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman, U.S. Representative Clement J. Zablocki (D-WI) calls the committee to order. Representative Zablocki opens a hearing related to east-west relations. Zablocki welcomes U.S. Secretary of State Alexander Haig. Zeblocki discusses the unsettling U.S.-Soviet relationship; citing the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan, the martial law situation in Poland, and Soviet-Cuban activities in Central America. Zablocki discusses U.S. foreign policy issues in the Middle East. Zablocki mentions European criticism of U.S. foreign policy. Zablocki points out that sanctions were placed on the Soviet Union in response to Poland, but in 1981 U.S. President Ronald Regan’s Administration lifted the grain embargo on the Soviet Union. The Regan Administration lifted the embargo despite the Soviet’s continued occupation of Afghanistan. Zablocki says the U.S. is increasing military assistance and sales, while decreasing humanitarian and development assistance. Zablocki discusses speculations that military assistance and arms transfers are playing too large a role in U.S. foreign relations. Zablocki hopes that Secretary Haig will address U.S.-Soviet relations.
Congressional Hearing - Alexander Haig
U.S. Secretary of State Alexander Haig at Congressional hearing before the House Foreign Affairs Committee, on East/West Foreign Relations. Secretary Haig begins his opening remarks. Haig discusses the Reagan Administration’s foreign assistance package for the 1983 fiscal year. Haig says President Reagan seeks a constructive and mutually beneficial relationship with the Soviet Union. Haig says such a relationship must be based on Soviet restraint, especially in the use of force or the threat of violence. Haig discusses Soviet actions in Poland, the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan, and the flood of Soviet arms into Cuba. Haig says Poland was the subject of his recent conversation with Soviet Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrei Gromyko, and they reviewed the situation in Afghanistan, Cuba, and Southern Africa. Haig says coercion, subversion, and repression pose great dangers to the relation between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. Haig says he also discussed arms control with Minister Gromyko. Haig says the U.S. is preparing for "start" negotiations. Haig cites Reagan's call for clear communication between the Soviet Union and the United States. Haig hopes better relations will not silence the U.S. in regard to Soviet transgressions, especially in Poland and Afghanistan.
Congressional Hearing - Alexander Haig
U.S. Secretary of State Alexander Haig continues his opening remarks during a Congressional hearing on East and West relations before the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Secretary Haig discusses the historical events happening in Poland, what they mean for east-west relations, and what the U.S. can do to influence the situation. Haig says the Polish crisis is far from over, the Polish communists’ failure to meet the needs of the Polish people reflects a failure of Soviet communism. Haig says the martial law regime in Poland will not find success, and the Polish economy will only be revived with the cooperation of the Polish worker. Haig says resistance will continue with martial law in Poland, and the demonstrations in Poland are testimony that the Polish people have not been silenced. Haig says the West can and must act to influence the situation; action now can help Warsaw and Moscow reconsider their actions in Poland.
Congressional Hearing - Alexander Haig
U.S. Secretary of State Alexander Haig continues his opening remarks during a Congressional hearing before the House Foreign Affairs Committee regarding East and West relations. Haig says the U.S. response to the Polish crisis has far reaching implications for east-west relations. Haig says if the U.S. does not take serious actions with its concerns, then the Soviet Union will doubt our resolve at other critical points in the world. Haig says the individual national action becomes more meaningful, especially for Moscow, in the context of allied unity. Haig says 15 sovereign nations have never found it easy to act in concert, but this must be the goal. Haig says it would be unfortunate if Poland’s misfortune, becomes the instrument of allied disunity. Haig says U.S. President Ronald Reagan seeks to lead the allies toward unified action. Haig says the process is well underway. Haig says the U.S. has made it clear that it will not do business with either Poland or the Soviet Union while repression in Poland continues. Haig says President Reagan announced sanctions against Poland and the Soviet Union in December. Haig says Reagan said the U.S. would take further measures. Haig says the U.S. will not be deceived by continued repression disguised as moderation. Haig says the U.S. is not alone, we are working closely with our allies on political and economic actions, that will drive home the cost of the repressive regime in Poland. Haig discusses an unprecedented special meeting in which the North Atlantic Council condemned the Soviet Union’s sustained campaign against the Polish people. Haig says the allies have agreed to a number of economic measures, such as holding credits from Poland for future goods besides food. Haig says negotiations will be suspended to reconsider the Polish 1981 official debt. Haig says the allies have pledged not to undercut each other’s actions. Haig says the allies have begun an examination of future economic relations with the Soviet Union. Allies in Europe, as well as Japan, have announced significant economic and political steps against Poland. European leaders have planned restraints on imports from the Soviet Union.