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I. SELECTED LIST OF PROMINENT SUPPORTERS OF DR. LEFEVER

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II.

EXCERPTS FROM PREPARED TESTIMONY BEFORE THE SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS
COMMITTEE, MAY 19 AND 20, 1981

Statement of the Honorable John Tower (Texas)

From his writings in the field of human rights, Dr. Lefever came to the attention of President Reagan. The views that Dr. Lefever has so articulately and convincingly expressed closely parallel the strong beliefs of the President. I personally know that Dr. Lefever has the full and unqualified endorsement of both President Reagan and Secretary Haig.

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Therefore, what is really under consideration is not only the personal qualifications of Dr. Lefever which are outstanding but also the foreign policy of the new Administration mandated by the American people last November. Dr. Lefever's views do, in fact, accurately represent those of mainstream America.

Statement of the Honorable Edward J. Derwinski (Illinois)

Dr. Lefever, whose nomination is now being considered by this body, was one of those called upon to provide balance to the human rights question. His testimony before congressional committees and his incisive and thought-provoking writings helped clarify the issues. Dr. Lefever's reflections have been of great value in providing desperately needed perspective on this complex subject.

It is irresponsible to suggest that Dr. Lefever favors "repressive dictatorships" or advocates "downgrading human rights." What he has maintained all along is that a genuine effort to persuade authoritarian regimes to promote freedom and pluralism must come through diplomacy and that a strong America that discourages aggression is indispensible for the cause of human rights.

Statement of the Honorable Henry J. Hyde (Illinois)

There is too much misleading talk today that this Administration will dismantle our human rights policy. Far from dismantling it, they mean to proceed with a more effective even-handed policy in this area.

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No one with a cursory knowledge of world affairs can doubt that there are abuses of basic human rights everywhere in the world and that these tragic excesses are not confined to countries of the left or the right. Everywhere that power is concentrated, whether in an authoritarian state or a totalitarian state, human rights can be and often are in jeopardy.

Human rights are of vital importance. They are to be protected and enhanced where we, as a nation, can do so. Sometimes we must shout our outrage at their violation, and sometimes, through example and quiet diplomacy we can accomplish a great deal. We need a State Department that understands this and can implement this policy. I am convinced Dr. Lefever is well qualified to do just that.

Statement of the Honorable Charles Wilson (Texas)

The previous adminstration tried to conduct foreign policy not in a bipartisan manner, or not even with a broad support of the Democratic Party,

but with a very narrow wing of the Democratic Party as far as human rights were concerned.

I would appeal to this Committee to give this administration their human rights advocate. No one has questioned Mr. Lefever's integrity, no one has questioned his intellectual equipment, only his philosophy has been questioned. And I would say that given the discomfort that those of us who disagreed with the past administration had to endure, given the fact that that alone was responsible for it being impossible to bring a foreign affairs appropriation bill to the House floor, that certainly Mr. Lefever's approach of quiet diplomacy, even though his philosophy may be disagreed with, is certainly something that the Senate should grant its forebearance on, and I would respectfully request that it do so.

Statement of Michael Novak

Chief of U.S. Delegation to the U.N. Human Rights Commission
37th Session, Geneva, Switzerland 1981

The speeches which we gave in Geneva, and the actions which we took, represent the beginning of a human rights policy based on these principles. Many from around the world have expressed their gratitude, yet not every one agrees with us on every point. The issues are complex, and no one can be certain in advance that methods chosen will work as one would wish them to work. Other administrations and other human rights officers may well have chosen other methods. Our intention is in every case to have made the human rights situation better by the end of our term in office. We recognize that it is not enough to have good intentions. The important thing is to have achieved results.

The task that is asked of us in the coming years is a complicated and difficult one. It requires a questioning mind and considerable intellectual courage. Mr. Lefever has long given public evidence of having both qualities. He is a morally serious man. Agree with him or disagree with him in particular matters, one can always be assured that he has developed reasoned positions, and that he is willing to set forth the reasons for them and to listen to counter-arguments. He is cooperative and good to work with. His training has well prepared him for the task for which he has been nominated.

In your wisdom, I hope you see fit to confirm him in this task. A person of intellect and subtlety is much needed in such a position. For the issues of human rights are among the most important that this nation and the world

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Statement by Robert A. Gessert

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Co-Chairman, The Council of Christian Approaches
to Defense and Disarmament

Although I have been a defense analyst for the past twenty years, I am a former college teacher of Christian ethics and a minister of the United Church of Christ. As a life-long Democrat and supporter of Jimmy Carter in his presidential campaign of 1976, I was initially encouraged by the emphasis he gave to human rights in U.S. foreign policy symbolized by the creation of this post in the Department of State. But, with many others, I became increasingly dismayed by a policy that grew to be widely perceived as inconsistent, arrogant, and hypocritical.

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