Christopher Lobbies for Foreign Aid

WASHINGTON — Raising the prospect of cuts in U.S. economic support to the Middle East if funding of America’s foreign aid is reduced further, Secretary of State Warren Christopher on Wednesday challenged Congress to provide the money that he says is vital to maintaining American global leadership.

“I have to tell you that aid to Israel and Egypt and Jordan will inevitably come under pressure, possibly irresistible pressure, if our other assistance programs continue to be decimated,” Christopher told an audience at Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass.

He said that overall U.S. foreign aid has declined by more than one-third in the last 10 years.

The comments, made at a speech four days before he leaves office and three weeks before President Clinton’s 1998 budget request goes to Capitol Hill, constitute the strongest public remarks Christopher has made on the issue.