[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 124 (Wednesday, September 11, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1582-E1583]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES PROTECTION ACT OF 1996

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. GLENN POSHARD

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 5, 1996

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 3308) to 
     amend title 10, United States Code, to limit the placement of 
     United States forces under United Nations operational or 
     tactical control, and for other purposes:

  Mr. POSHARD. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 3308, the 
U.S. Armed Forces Protection Act. The American people

[[Page E1583]]

have made it clear that they want any American role in United Nations 
peacekeeping missions to be well structured and in the best interests 
of our country, with the safety of our troops being at the forefront of 
these considerations. I believe that this legislation goes a long way 
toward ensuring this by demarcating and preserving the role of Congress 
in the process of placing American troops in such situations. The 
intent of this measure is to be absolutely certain that when U.S. 
troops are involved in U.N. peacekeeping operations that they will be 
serving under American leadership. Further, the process by which the 
President will outline such missions to Congress can only aid the 
planning and support mechanisms critical for success. In my view, H.R. 
3308 is not about restricting the actions of any President, but about 
making sure that the executive and legislative branches are on the same 
page when U.S. troops take part in actions sponsored by the United 
Nations.
  I have supported provisions of this legislation when they have 
appeared in other bills, notably H.R. 1530 and H.R. 2540. The spirit of 
the latter is included in H.R. 3308 via the Bartlett, Chenoweth, and 
Traficant amendment and prohibits the wearing of the U.N. insignia by 
U.S. troops without the authorization of Congress. This should prevent 
future unfortunate incidents such as the events surrounding the 
dismissal of Michael New.
  Mr. Chairman, in closing, I would like to emphasize that my vote 
today should not be construed as one against the United Nations, as I 
firmly believe that this body has a role to play in international 
relations. As evidenced in the Gulf War, the U.N. can be an effective 
coordinating device for the international community during times of 
crisis, thereby promoting the interests of the United States at a 
reduced cost from acting unilaterally. Also, the United Nations 
provides invaluable leadership on such issues as world hunger, which 
have historically been embraced by the U.S. populace. Rather, my vote 
is for the men and women that serve their country bravely as part of 
the U.S. Armed Forces. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3308, and I 
appreciate the opportunity to share my thoughts on this matter.

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