[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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