Refugee Crisis in Europe

Floor Speech

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Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, last week I came to the floor and recommended that the Obama administration appoint a special envoy with a very broad portfolio: dispatched to work on a diplomatic solution to the tragedy that is destroying Syria and unfolding in the Middle East, now having broad impact in greater Europe.

I want to point out to those who are listening that the displacement crisis in the Middle East, centered in Syria, has consumed seven nations and propelled the largest refugee crisis Europe has faced since World War II. Already in Syria, over a quarter of a million people have been killed--civilians--and that is probably a low number.

With over 12 million people displaced, Europe is being besieged by hundreds of thousands, legions, of the dispossessed. Meanwhile, it almost seems surreal that no effective diplomatic negotiation is underway that holds the prospect of leading to peace.

I again ask the Obama administration to dispatch a special envoy with a broad portfolio to work full time on a diplomatic solution to the tragedy that is destroying Syria.

Then yesterday in The New York Times appeared an editorial by the legendary 39th President of the United States, Jimmy Carter, entitled ``A Plan to End the Syrian Crisis.'' I served President Carter during his years in the Presidency.

I well remember the incredible moment in 1979 when President Carter stood with Anwar Sadat, the President of Egypt, and the Prime Minister of Israel, Menachem Begin, and they signed that treaty in March of 1979. Who would have ever thought that that moment in history would have been possible? Yet, until today, that treaty holds between Egypt and Israel, and it has made a gigantic difference in the saving of lives in that extremely troubled region.

In his editorial to The New York Times, President Carter references that the Carter Center--which he founded and to which he has dedicated his life with his wife Rosalyn ever since his service as President--has been deeply involved in Syria since the early 1980s. Who would know more than he?

He recommends the only real chance of ending the conflict is to engage the United States, Russia, Iran, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia in preparing a comprehensive peace protocol with Syria. He knows what that requires. He recommends a cease-fire, formation of a unity government, constitutional reforms, and elections.

Mr. Speaker, I include for today's Record the editorial entitled ``A Plan to End the Syrian Crisis.''

I say to my colleagues and to those who are listening: As we watch this tragedy unfold, our Nation is the most powerful nation in the world. Surely, we should have the wisdom and the will to take this latest tragedy, which we had no small part in precipitating, and find a way to bring the parties to the table.

What is happening in Syria due to the lack of a diplomatic solution is now impacting Europe in ways that we have not seen since World War II. It is very destabilizing.

With what is happening inside Ukraine today due to Russia's invasion, with over 1.7 million displaced persons internally, if Russia would happen to turn the tourniquet tighter in eastern Ukraine and cause additional displacement across Europe, imagine what the winter months would bring.

I can't urge in strong enough terms that the Obama administration pay heed to President Carter's very lucid editorial in yesterday's New York Times. I commend all Members and citizens to read it.

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