ACCESSION NUMBER:232671
FILE ID:EP-315
DATE:06/24/92
TITLE:CLAIM OF POW/MIAs IN RUSSIA DESERVES FULL INVESTIGATION (06/24/92)
TEXT:*92062415.EPF
*EPF315   06/24/92 *
1
CLAIM OF POW/MIAs IN RUSSIA DESERVES FULL INVESTIGATION
(Text: Rep. Richardson in Congressional Record)  (350)
Washington -- Representative Bill Richardson (Democrat of New Mexico) says
the startling disclosure of the possible detention of POW-MIA's in Russia
must be investigated to the fullest extent.  "It is imperative to the
nation that we do everything in our power to speed the homecoming of these
brave and unforgotten soldiers," Richardson said.

In remarks on the floor of the House of Representatives, Richardson said, "I
strongly believe that we have a responsibility to ensure that every effort
is made to determine the truth of President Yeltsin's claims."  "I urge my
colleagues to support any and all efforts made to determine the veracity of
these claims.

Following is the text, as it appeared in the June 18 Congressional Record:
(begin text)
Mr. RICHARDSON.  Mr. Speaker, President Yeltsin's startling disclosure of
the possible detention of POW-MIA's in Russia must be investigated to the
fullest extent.  I urge my colleagues to support any and all efforts made
to determine the veracity of these claims.

To this day, the plight of the POW-MIA's remains unresolved.  There are
2,266 Vietnam soldiers classified as MIA's, 8,000 MIA's from the Korean
war, and 78,000 MIA's from World War II.  These wars have affected the
Nation tremendously.  Last week, Yeltsin sent a letter to our colleagues on
the Senate Select Committee on POW-MIA Affairs admitting that 12 Americans
shot down on spy missions over the Soviet territory during the cold war
were detained in Soviet prisons and psychiatric hospitals.  As a member of
the House Intelligence Committee, I have urged the committee to initiate a
full scale investigation.  It is imperative to the Nation that we do
everything in our power to speed the homecoming of these brave and
unforgotten soldiers.

Mr. Speaker, these soldiers deserve a dignified return to the United States.
 I strongly believe that we have a responsibility to ensure that every
effort is made to determine the truth of President Yeltsin's claims.

(end text)
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