BOB DOLE   
KANSAS
141 SENATE HART BUILDING 
(202) 224-6521  


COMMITTEES: 
AGRICULTURE, NUTRITION, ANO FORESTRY  
FINANCE 
RULES

United States Senate
WASHINGTON, DC 20510-1601  

May 22, 1991 


Dr. Ronald Roskens 
Administrator
Agency on International Development 
320 21st Street, N.W. 
Washington, D.C. 20523 

Dear Dr. Roskens: 

	I am writing to request that the Agency for International Development (AID) support the activities and programs of the US/USSR Children's Health Center. 

	The US/USSR Children's Health Center, which is dedicated to improving the American and Soviet basic pediatric health care structure, has developed a joint program of education, patient care, health management, nursing and research. The Center, which enjoys the unprecedented cooperation of the Soviet government, is precisely the type of collaborative program that should receive AID support. 

	A delegation of Center specialists, for example, recently conducted medical symposia at the Second Moscow Medical Institute at Soviet expense. This November, the Center, if funding can be arranged, also will host symposia in the United States. The featured guests will include Aleksandr Baranov, Vice Chairman of the Ministry of Health of the Soviet Union, and Nikolay Vaganov, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation. 

	In its report on the FY'91 Foreign Operations Appropriations bill, the Senate Appropriations Committee indicated support for the Center's activities. While the report urged AID to commit 
funds, no money has been forthcoming. It is my understanding that Section 620 (f) of the Foreign Assistance Act restricts U.S. financial aid to the Soviet Union. I should like your opinion as to whether a direct grant to Children's Health System, Inc., the Norfolk, Virginia health concern facilitating the US/USSR Children's Health Center, would meet the terms of said restrictions. 


Dr. Ronald Roskens 
May 22, 1991 
Page 2 

	Furthermore, I understand that the meeting requested by Senators Warner and Robb to discuss this issue with you has not yet taken place. I am very supportive of the programs sponsored by the US/USSR Children's Health Center. Therefore, I respectfully urge you to move expeditiously on this issue, and I look forward to hearing from Senators Warner and Robb on the results of your meeting. 

Sincerely, 

BOB DOLE
United States Senate 


cc: 	Senator John Warner 
	Senator Charles Robb 
	Senator Robert Kasten, Jr. 
	Senator Patrick Leahy
	Senator Robert Byrd
	Mr. Curtis W. Kamman