[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2514 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







108th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                S. 2514

To authorize the transfer of funds for foreign countries to participate 
in international peacekeeping or peace enforcement operations, and for 
                            other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              June 9, 2004

   Mr. Lugar introduced the following bill; which was read twice and 
             referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To authorize the transfer of funds for foreign countries to participate 
in international peacekeeping or peace enforcement operations, and for 
                            other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``The Global Peacekeeping Operations 
Initiative Act of 2004''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) The need for effective peacekeeping troops has grown 
        worldwide, especially in Africa.
            (2) Peacekeeping operations in Africa have grown from 
        24,000 peacekeepers in 2002 to 40,000 peacekeepers in 2004 and 
        immediate future requirements in Sudan and Burundi will 
        significantly increase the need for peacekeepers.
            (3) Conflicts in Sierra Leone, Ethiopia/Eritrea, Cote 
        d'Ivoire, Liberia, Burundi, the Congo, and the Sudan have 
        devastated the continent and set back economic and social 
        progress for millions of Africans.
            (4) African leaders, through the New Partnership for 
        Africa's Development, have placed solving conflicts and 
        managing post-conflict stabilization and reconstruction efforts 
        on the continent as among their highest priorities.
            (5) The African Union recently signed a protocol outlining 
        its responsibility for peace and security on the continent and 
        highlighting the importance of the organization's continuing 
        partnership with the member states of the Group of Eight and 
        the rest of the developed world.
            (6) The member states of the Group of Eight have had a 
        longstanding interest, expressed at both the Kananaskis and 
        Evian summits, in providing technical and financial assistance 
        to sustain and strengthen African peacekeeping capacity.
            (7) The Group of Eight summit held in Sea Island, Georgia, 
        in June 2004, resulted in the members of the Group of Eight 
        pledging to train at least 75,000 international peacekeepers 
        over the next several years and develop a plan to provide 
        logistical support around the world.
            (8) The United States has recognized the importance and 
        value of professional training of international peacekeepers 
        through several programs including the Africa Crisis Response 
        Initiative and the African Contingency Operations and Training 
        Assistance programs.
            (9) The Global Peacekeeping Operations Initiative is a 
        significant United States contribution to fulfilling the 
        commitment of the Group of Eight and to supporting the 
        aspirations of African leaders as such leaders pursue peace and 
        prosperity on the continent.

SEC. 3. ASSISTANCE FOR FOREIGN COUNTRIES TO ENGAGE IN PEACEKEEPING 
              OPERATIONS.

    (a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the 
Secretary of Defense, with the concurrence of the Secretary of State, 
may transfer funds to the Secretary of State to provide assistance to 
military or security forces in a foreign country to enhance the 
capability of such country to participate in an international 
peacekeeping or peace enforcement operation.
    (b) Types of Assistance.--Assistance provided under subsection (a) 
may be used to provide equipment, supplies, training, or funding.
    (c) Additional Authority.--The authority to provide assistance 
under this section is in addition to any other authority to provide 
assistance to a foreign country or the military or security forces of 
such country.
                                 <all>