[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 346 Introduced in House (IH)]







106th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. CON. RES. 346

  Concerning the establishment of a permanent United Nations security 
                                 force.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              June 6, 2000

   Mr. Wynn submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was 
          referred to the Committee on International Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
  Concerning the establishment of a permanent United Nations security 
                                 force.

Whereas since 1948, the United Nations has established 53 peacekeeping 
        operations, 15 of which are ongoing;
Whereas on May 3, 1994, President Clinton issued a presidential decision 
        directive (PDD 25), stating that properly conceived and well-executed 
        peacekeeping operations can be a useful element in serving America's 
        interests and that the primary objective of the United States Armed 
        Forces is to be prepared to fight and win 2 simultaneous regional 
        conflicts;
Whereas international peacekeeping operations can be a useful tool to help 
        prevent and resolve regional conflicts before they pose a direct threat 
        to United States national security;
Whereas international peacekeeping operations can also serve the interests of 
        the United States by promoting democracy, regional security, and 
        economic growth;
Whereas on February 23, 1999, United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan 
        stated, ``It is sadly clear that the need for United Nations 
        peacekeeping will continue and, indeed, will probably grow. And it is 
        very much in America's national interest to support an international 
        response to conflicts, even those which seem remote, because, in today's 
        interconnected world, they seldom remain confined in one country or even 
        one region. Take Rwanda, for example. The failure of the international 
        community to respond effectively led not only to geocide in Rwanda 
        itself, but also to the exodus of refugees and combatants across the 
        borders. Because we failed to act in time, 7 countries are now fighting 
        each other in a mineral-rich region which should have been a prime area 
        for investment and development. Is this something the United States can 
        afford to ignore?'';
Whereas, in Cambodia, United Nations efforts led to an election protected by 
        peacekeepers, the return of hundreds of thousands of refugees, and the 
        end of a destabilizing regional conflict;
Whereas, in El Salvador, the United Nations sponsored elections and helped to 
        end a long and bitter civil war;
Whereas the United Nations supervision of Namibia's transition to independence 
        removed a potential source of conflict in strategic southern Africa and 
        promoted democracy;
Whereas the United Nations operations in Cyprus have prevented the outbreak of 
        war between 2 NATO allies;
Whereas peacekeeping operations on the Golan Heights have helped preserve peace 
        between Israel and Syria; and
Whereas international peacekeeping operations have proven invaluable over the 
        years in deterring conflict and war throughout the world: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That the Congress urges the United Nations to establish a permanent 
standing United Nations security force as follows:
            (1) The United Nations security force shall be composed of 
        not more than 15,000 volunteers from United Nations member 
        countries who are recruited, trained, employed, and compensated 
        directly by the United Nations.
            (2) The United Nations security force will be trained and 
        equipped specifically for rapid deployment in international 
        peacekeeping operations conducted under chapter VII of the 
        United Nations Charter. Rapid deployment of such force means 
        the capacity to deploy to an affected region with 21 days of 
        the enactment of a United Nations Security Council resolution 
        authorizing deployment. The maximum period of deployment of the 
        United Nations security force shall be 6 months. After such 
        period, international peacekeeping operations shall be 
        conducted by forces of the member countries of the United 
        Nations.
            (3) The United Nations security force may be deployed only 
        under the authority of a resolution of the United Nations 
        Security Council. The commander in chief of the United Nations 
        security force shall be the Secretary General of the United 
        Nations.
                                 <all>