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Edward KocheEdward Koche
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Session:         Page of 617

You don't have to do too much talking because I'm opposed to our involvement in Angola.” “Well,” they said, “we want to tell you anyway why we are against it” and how we're ruining the United States by going in there at this time. So I said, “I've already told you that I'm opposed to it, but okay, tell me.” “Well, you know, the African countries will never forgive us for going in there.” And I said, “Before you go any further, let me just tell you what my position is and then see whether you really want to pursue this with me.” I'm opposed to going into Angola because the State Department has told us that there is no democratic interest involved there; that there are three tribal groupings and none of them are democratic, and I don't believe that we should help one over the other, although I take the position that we can help a democratic force from being overrun by external aggression,” as opposed to some liberals and peaceniks who do not take that position. “And,” I said, “there's even a second position that I take, which is that even if it's not a democratic force, if there's a vital U.S. interest involved, I still think we can help a non-democratic force. What do you think about that?” “Oh, definitely not,” say these three guys, “no, no, no, no.” So I said, “Now, look, let me talk about the democratic force.” I said, “But the State Department says there is no vital U.S. national interest involved, and so neither of the two reasons exist, and therefore I'm not for helping. I'm for not getting involved there.”





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