So good morning 10 oclock here in moscow youre watching r. T. International now 30 years ago the berlijn wall was torn down reuniting east and west berlin and heralding the beginning of the end of the cold war security is high ahead of major celebrations across the country today in berlin thousands are expected to take part in numerous events including a variety of exhibitions on the wars history but for those who cant attend his artesia. With the story of the war. The berlin wall a symbol of the cold war and division a line that separated the city families friends and changed berlin for the remainder of the 20th century 40 kilometers long at slice of the city and was erected in the night of august 13th 1981 1st it was just a barbed wire and concrete fence with 12 checkpoints but it swiftly grew into the fortified version most know it today the checkpoints were reduced to 3 and crossing became all but impossible. Imagine this a concrete wall 3. 6 meters high and 1. 2 meters wide smooth
Also want to thank the witnesses for being accommodating knowing vote scheduled interfered with the original hearing schedule and accommodating us today. The topics covered in this hearing and i said this previously are not necessarily what is going to make cable news every night but incredible importance when we think of how best to serve the United States of america, our interests and Foreign Policy and the foundation for any real Successful Organization always starts with the right people and make sure they are equipped with the right resources and ability to do their job effectively. I said multiple times previously and want to reiterate we are proud of the men and women that serve us in our diplomatic corps overseas and in Development Work around the world and these are patriotic americans. I once again want to reiterate the work of how important it is for foreignpolicy and american strength. The last few months as subcommittees chairman i had the pleasure of meeting with many ind
Operations budget for the state department and the u. S. Agency for International Development. Committee members asked about the high number of personnel vacancies within the department and hiring from a diverse pool of candidates. This is about an hour and a half. The subcommittee will come to order. We meet today to discuss the state department and u. S. I. D. Fy 2020 operations budget. Without objection, all members may have five days to submit statements, questions, extraneous materials for the record, subject to the length limitations in the rules. Ill now make my opening statement, and then turn it over to the Ranking Member for his opening statement. Ive noticed that the republicans are a little bit faster getting over here after votes. I want to thank the Ranking Member mr. Zeldin members of the subcommittee and our witnesses for joining us for todays hearing for the fiscal year 2020 operations budget, also want to thank the witnesses for being accommodating knowing that our vo
Is all the dimensional we saw with the situation in these. Yeah, the african countries knew need the ship has accused files of violating his s bass. Im conducting an attack on local but if you forces fox as we pull to be denied, all those things they share says the incident enabled quote, terrorist prisoners to escape from a detention facility. These have been imagine as the sikes true mysterious events under way and yeah, as a result of the behavior of the French Forces samelle a territory. And they accomplices on the 9th of august to the end of 20. 00 to 3. 00 at the wrong 6 delta. And then if you have a national got position and bulk adult, good subject, columbus or something to send me a real good with money sites. When i came on to attack, the number of casualties has not yet been established. However, as a reminder, through direct communication with the western partners, the behavior of the French Forces was criticized. But havent you knew that we released capture terrace prisone