[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 16 (Thursday, February 26, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1080-S1081]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 184--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE SUPPORTING 
ITALY'S INCLUSION AS A PERMANENT MEMBER OF THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY 
                                COUNCIL

  Mr. D'AMATO (for himself and Mr. Torricelli) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations:

                              S. Res. 184

       Whereas Italy organized and led a multi-national peace 
     enforcement operation in Albania last spring under United 
     Nations authority to restore order and organize democratic 
     elections;
       Whereas Italy provided the second largest United Nations 
     troop contingent in Somalia;
       Whereas in 1983 Italy joined the United States in a 
     multilateral force to bring peace and stability to Lebanon 
     and Italy still participates in the ongoing United Nations 
     peacekeeping force in Lebanon;
       Whereas Italy brokered the peace settlement in Mozambique 
     and led the peacekeeping force that implemented it;
       Whereas Italy hosts at Brindisi the sole United Nations 
     logistical base supporting peacekeeping operations worldwide;
       Whereas Italy's strategic location in the Mediterranean 
     makes it an indispensable partner in security operations in 
     multiple zones of instability;
       Whereas Italy hosts air bases from which the United States 
     and its NATO partners have conducted air operations over the 
     former Yugoslavia;
       Whereas Italy is the world's fifth largest economy and next 
     year becomes the U.N.'s fifth largest assessed contributor;
       Whereas Italy's contribution to the United Nations is 
     greater than that of Britain, Russia and China, three 
     permanent members of the Security Council;

[[Page S1081]]

       Whereas President Clinton stated, ``Italy has been and 
     continues to be one of our closest allies and strategic 
     partners in the world community''; and
       Whereas the United States Department of State has been 
     actively supporting a reorganization plan that would give 
     Germany and Japan permanent seats on the United Nations 
     Security Council, to the exclusion of Italy: Now, therefore, 
     be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) urges the President to oppose any reorganization plan 
     for the expansion of the Security Council which does not 
     include Italy;
       (2) urges the President to support Italy's inclusion as a 
     permanent member if there is to be an expansion of the United 
     Nations Security Council; and
       (3) urges the Department of State to develop a 
     reorganization plan of the United Nations Security Council 
     that would incorporate nations that have played a significant 
     role in fostering world peace and stability such as Italy.
       Sec. 2. The Secretary of the Senate shall transmit a copy 
     of this resolution to the President and the Secretary of 
     State.

  Mr. D'AMATO. Mr. President, I rise with my colleague, Senator Robert 
Torricelli from New Jersey, to submit a resolution which calls upon the 
President to support the inclusion of Italy as a permanent member of 
the United Nations Security Council in any future expansion of that 
body. Anyone who is aware of the indispensable aide Italy has offered 
in the past and promises to continue providing in the future would 
share this view. I would like to now note just a few of Italy's 
numerous accomplishments with the United Nations and the Security 
Council in order to highlight the reasons why I believe Italy should be 
invited to join the United Nations Security Council.
  Italy's peace-keeping efforts in the past have been invaluable in 
aiding the United Nations on numerous fronts. It organized and led a 
multi-national peace enforcement operation in Albania last spring under 
United Nations authority to restore order and organize democratic 
elections. It provided the second largest United Nations troop 
contingent in Somalia. In 1983 Italy joined the United States in a 
multilateral force to bring peace and stability to Lebanon, and is 
still participating in the ongoing United Nations peacekeeping force 
there. Italy was also essential in brokering the peace settlement in 
Mozambique, as well as leading the peacekeeping forces that implemented 
it. Finally, Italy plays a key role in hosting the sole United Nations 
logistical base supporting peacekeeping operations worldwide at 
Brindisi on the Adriatic.
  Moreover, Italy's strategic location in the Mediterranean has made it 
an indispensable partner in security operations in a multitude of 
international regions. As such, Italy's assistance has been crucial in 
hosting air bases from which the United States and its NATO partners 
have conducted air operations over the former Yugoslavia. Italy has the 
world's fifth largest economy, and will this year increase its monetary 
contributions to 5.4% of that sum, becoming the United Nation's fifth 
largest assessed contributor. It's contribution has surpassed that of 
Britain, Russia, and China, three permanent members of the Security 
Council. In addition, with an estimated contribution of $72 million in 
peace-keeping operations for the upcoming year, Italy's efforts in 
financial aid to the United Nations have also been tremendous.
  As one of our closest allies and strategic partners in the world 
community, Italy continues to be an asset to the United Nation's peace 
keeping efforts, and is thus not only worthy, but essential in 
continued progress toward the Security Council's goals. I thus urge the 
President to oppose any reorganization plan for the expansion of the 
Security Council which does not include Italy, and strongly encourage 
Italy's inclusion as a permanent member if such an expansion is to take 
place.
  Mr. TORRICELLI. Mr, President, I rise today in support of Senator 
D'Amato's resolution supporting Italy's inclusion as a permanent member 
of the United Nations Security Council. Should this international body 
expand, I can think of no country more worthy of inclusion than Italy, 
and I hope my colleagues will join me in expressing their support for 
this idea.
  Italy is a major economic player on the world stage and in terms of 
United Nations contributions. She forms a critical part of the UN's 
global peacekeeping operations and has been active in a number of 
international conflicts and crises. Last spring, Italy acted under UN 
auspices to organize and lead a multi-national peace enforcement 
operation in Albania. This effort was critical to restoring order and 
helping Albania organize democratic elections.
  In more general terms, Italy's strategic location in the 
Mediterranean makes it an important partner for the international 
community as it launches security operations in many zones of potential 
instability. Already, Italy has hosted the air bases that the United 
States and other NATO members have used to conduct air operations over 
the former Yugoslavia. These efforts, in conjunction with Italy's 
status as the fifth largest economy in the world, mean that we can no 
longer ignore its present position in the international community. It 
plays a vital role in protecting and enhancing our economic and 
military security, and I believe the time has come to recognize these 
efforts.
  Italy's contributions to world history and culture, her continuing 
support for humanitarian and developmental objectives throughout the 
world, and status as a thriving democracy which has overcome a fascist 
past all argue for Italy's inclusion in any plans to revise and expand 
the permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council.

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