1986 - The Exon Library

condemnation of yesterday's crimes. Only by integrating
this amendment into the Treaty itself will the U.S. make it
clear that it does not consent to any form of genocide. As
British author Oliver Goldsmith said, "silence gives
consent," and ratification of the treaty as it now stands
would equal acquiescence in the crimes of nations which are
committing political genocide. The U.S. is presently at a
moral disadvantage, they asserted, because it has not
formalized its opposition to genocide. While it is "utter
nonsense" to argue that the U.S. must ratify this Treaty
before it can justifiably criticize the USSR, Cambodia, and
other nations for the "barbarity of their genocidal
actions," this amendment would put these nations on the
defensive because it would force them to adopt or reject
the amended version, thereby showing their "true colors."
Those who argue that we should ratify this flawed document
and then seek its modification must realize that this
amendment would never get through the U.N. without being
vetoed by the Soviets or its allies. Furthermore, the
Senate should not irresponsibly ratify any unacceptable
document with the hope that it will be made acceptable
afterwards.
Opponents claimed that adoption of this amendment would be
tantamount to rejection of the Treaty because of the
parliamentary problems which it would pose. The 96 other
signatories would have to consent to any amendment of the
Convention before the President could ratify it on behalf
of the U.S. Although the Genocide Treaty does not address
the problems of political genocide, it expresses many other
important sentiments which the U.S. needs to reaffirm
through ratification. U.S. interests would be adequately
safeguarded by the Treaty and its reservations, and our
ratification would prevent the Soviets and other
practitioners of political genocide from using America's
failure to ratify this document to divert world attention
from their conducting such crimes. Many voiced their
support for the substance of the amendment and stated their
intent to vote for it if offered as free-standing
legislation.