[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 27 (Friday, March 11, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 11, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                           U.N. PEACEKEEPING

                                 ______


                          HON. LEE H. HAMILTON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 10, 1994

  Mr. HAMILTON. Mr. Speaker, I submit for the Record an exchange of 
correspondence between myself and the U.S. Representative to the United 
Nations, the Honorable Madeleine K. Albright, on the subject of U.N. 
reform.
  Many Members have expressed their concern about the need for two key 
reforms at the United Nations: that an independent Inspector General be 
established expeditiously, and that the current U.S. assessed rate of 
30.4 percent for U.N. peacekeeping be reduced.
  I wrote recently to Ambassador Albright to highlight congressional 
concern over the need for progress on these two issues. Her response 
provided assurances that both an independent Inspector General and a 
reduction in the U.S. assessed rate for U.N. peacekeeping are high 
priorities for the administration.
  The correspondence follows:
                                    Congress of the United States,


                                     House of Representatives,

                                 Washington, DC, February 7, 1994.
     Hon. Madeleine K. Albright,U.S. Representative to the United 
       Nations,U.S. Mission to the United Nations,
     New York, NY.
       Dear Madame Ambassador: It was good to talk to you last 
     week about our Committee work on the United Nations. We are 
     appreciative of the good working relationship among the State 
     Department, USUN, and the Committee and feel it is essential 
     to maintain a close and frank dialogue.
       You expressed some concerns about the role Marian Chambers 
     of the Committee staff played in New York and in her travels. 
     She and the entire committee benefitted from the cooperation 
     she was given this last fall by your entire mission and by 
     the State Department. Marian came away from her three months 
     working with and observing the UN Mission with the impression 
     that the U.S. could do more to push the reform process at the 
     UN. Many Members of Congress, including myself, tend to agree 
     with that impression. Her view, of course, raises questions 
     of tactics. It should not detract from our agreement on 
     goals, our desire to work closely together to achieve those 
     goals, and the necessity we both see to be able to show 
     progress on the issues of concern which drive so much of the 
     debate on the United Nations here in the Congress.
       My purpose in this letter is to share with you a few 
     thoughts about how to maintain and increase Congressional 
     support for the United Nations and for its peacekeeping 
     operations.
       I know that U.N. reform is one of the Administration's 
     priorities, including the establishment of an independent 
     Inspector General (IG) and reduction of the U.S. assessment 
     for peacekeeping operations. I do not underestimate the 
     difficulties you face in trying to translate these priorities 
     into achievements.
       Many of us in Congress do not fully understand the 
     complexities of working in a multilateral environment, or the 
     obstacles you face. As you well know, on these two 
     ``bellwether'' issues, the Congress has often urged action. 
     Many Members are frustrated that they not only remain 
     unresolved, but that action on them does not appear imminent.
       As we will soon be in conference on the State Department 
     Authorization Act for fiscal years 1994 and 1995, I want to 
     work with you to try to avoid draconian restrictions. It may 
     be necessary to support in conference further action on these 
     issues in order to maintain even minimal funding levels 
     necessary for the United Nations and its activities.


                          un inspector general

       My impression is that, to receive support here in the 
     Congress, a resolution establishing an independent U.N. 
     Inspector General (IG) is necessary. The details can vary, of 
     course, but it would probably include: broad authority for 
     the IG to investigate throughout the United Nations, a degree 
     of direction and control by the IG over all existing U.N. 
     oversight mechanisms, the availability of all unedited IG 
     reports, and an enforcement mechanism.
       My thinking is that an independent IG would have a long-
     term positive impact on the United Nations in containing 
     expenses, improving efficiency and program delivery, and 
     ensuring high standards of accountability and transparency 
     for U.N. operations, including peacekeeping missions. It 
     would also help to restore Congressional confidence in the 
     integrity of U.N. operations, and willingness to fund such 
     operations.
       My sense is that several steps can be taken to help achieve 
     this goal, and to show Congress that progress is occurring. 
     It would be helpful for you and your colleagues to explain in 
     testimony to the Congress why thus far we have been able to 
     obtain only a resolution which postpones examination of an 
     independent IG until the resumed session of the UNGA this 
     spring, and to describe what the Administration's strategy is 
     to enact appropriate legislation at the resumed General 
     Assembly. I would hope we would also be making a world-wide 
     demarche to all U.N. Member States urging their support for 
     an independent U.N. IG. We should make clear to the United 
     Nations that the ``interim IG'' appointed last summer by the 
     Secretary General is a welcome, but insufficient, step, and 
     that continued U.S. financial support for the U.N. may likely 
     depend on the establishment of an independent IG.


                        peacekeeping assessments

       As you are aware, the Congress has already directed the 
     executive branch, in report language contained in the State 
     Appropriations bill, to inform the United Nations that the 
     United States intends to pay a peacekeeping assessment rate 
     no higher than 25 percent.
       This directive could be toughened unless Members understand 
     the Administration's strategy and timetable for reducing the 
     U.S. peacekeeping assessment.
       I understand that these are not the only reforms needed at 
     the UN, but they are important steps, especially for those of 
     us here in the Congress. I will work with you in support of 
     these reforms.
       I hope this letter is helpful. It is certainly intended to 
     be. I look forward to seeing you soon and following up on 
     these and other issues of mutual interest.
       With best regards.
           Sincerely,
                                                  Lee H. Hamilton,
                                                         Chairman.
                                  ____

         The Representative of the United States of America to the 
           United Nations,
                                                 February 17, 1994
     Hon. Lee Hamilton,
     Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs,
     House of Representatives.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: Thank you for your letter of February 7, 
     1994 in which you urge the establishment of an independent 
     Inspector General and the reduction of United States 
     assessments for United Nations peacekeeping operations. These 
     are high priority issues for the Clinton Administration and I 
     wish to assure you that I am fully committed to achieving 
     these reforms as quickly as possible. In this regard, I would 
     like to inform you of the efforts we will be undertaking over 
     the next several months to accomplish these goals.
       In his statement to the 48th General Assembly, the 
     President called for the establishment of an Inspector 
     General at the current session. Last fall, I presented the 
     United States delegation's detailed proposal to the Fifth 
     (Administrative and Budgetary) Committee. In view of the 
     complexity of the proposal and time constraints, it was not 
     possible to take final action before the end of the regular 
     session in December. However, the General Assembly resolved 
     to consider the proposal further during the resumed session.
       The United States Mission has begun consultations on this 
     issue with a view to adopting a final resolution this spring. 
     This resolution will establish an independent United Nations 
     Inspector General with many of the authorities and powers 
     described in your letter. Our efforts will be focused on 
     negotiating appointment, operating and reporting procedures 
     to ensure that the UN Inspector General meets these 
     standards.
       There is considerable support among member states for an 
     independent Inspector General. However, concerns have been 
     raised with respect to its relationship with the Secretary 
     General and existing oversight mechanisms. We will take all 
     necessary steps, including a worldwide demarche, to ensure 
     that the President's goal is met by the close of the 48th 
     session in September.
       With regard to the reduction in the peackeeping assessment 
     rate to 25 percent rate, in order for the United States to 
     pay less, we must convince others to undertake a greater 
     financial burden. Since many countries face similar domestic 
     budgetary constraints, this requires an intensive lobbying 
     effort in New York and in capitals. Ambassador Walter Cutler 
     will soon launch that effort on a mission for the Secretary 
     General to persuade several UN member states whose 
     assessments do not reflect their current economic status to 
     accept a higher peacekeeping assessment rate. Other US 
     officials will follow up on Ambassador Cutler's efforts. 
     Savings for the United States would also be achieved if Japan 
     and Germany become Permanent Members of the Security Council.
       The Clinton Administration agrees that the current scale of 
     assessments is too high and needs to be reduced. We recognize 
     the importance the Congress attaches to this issue and I can 
     assure you we accord it the same high priority. I will keep 
     you informed of significant developments as we progress 
     towards our goal. I intend to provide Members with more 
     details regarding our efforts to upcoming Congressional 
     hearings.
       I appreciate receiving your views on these important issues 
     and look forward to seeing you in the future. Until then, I 
     send my very best wishes.
           Sincerely,
     Madeleine K. Albright.

                          ____________________