[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 40 (Wednesday, April 1, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E538]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 1757, FOREIGN AFFAIRS REFORM AND 
                       RESTRUCTURING ACT OF 1998

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. VINCE SNOWBARGER

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 26, 1998

  Mr. SNOWBARGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this conference 
report. The United Nations Reform Act is an important first step in 
bringing this institution in line with what America expects of it, and 
achieving the goals of the Kassebaum-Solomon amendment which began our 
withholding of a portion of our U.N. dues. Last year, I introduced the 
United Nations Accountability Act to force reforms at the U.N. before 
any arrears could be paid to that body. This measure would go far in 
accomplishing that goal by providing the funds in three tranches, but 
payment of each tranche would be contingent on certain specified 
reforms accomplished at the United Nations.
  The U.S.'s dues assessment must be lowered from the current 25 
percent to 22 percent immediately, and to 20 percent by the year 2000. 
For too long, the U.S. has been paying a disproportionate share of the 
U.N.'s expenses, and other countries have been getting off without 
paying their fair share.
  The bill also requires that our assessment for peacekeeping 
activities be reduced to 25 percent, and most importantly that our in-
kind military contributions to U.N. peacekeeping missions be credited 
against our assessment. Last year I supported an amendment by the 
gentleman from Maryland--Mr. Bartlett--to require money we spent in the 
past for this purpose be applied to our arrearage. Unfortunately, a 
majority of the House opposed that effort. I can understand why--the 
Administration promised and the Congress appropriated this money 
without first demanding reimbursement, and it would be difficult to 
retroactively correct that foolish mistake. But we must make sure that 
we get compensation in the future. Administration officials and Members 
of Congress must remember that it is not our money they are promising 
to Kofi Annan, it belongs to the people of this country, and they 
deserve full value for it.
  There are other important institutional reforms in this bill that 
deserve our support. There are procurement reforms that ensure that 
contracts will be let fairly and openly and not to the friends of the 
U.N. officials awarding them. There will finally be a merit-based 
personnel system at the U.N. to end the rampant cronyism there. The 
United States--as the largest contributor to the U.N.--will be ensured 
of a seat on the U.N.'s budget committee. The bloated staffing levels 
will be cut. And a report will be required on efforts to ensure that 
our ally Israel has the same opportunity to serve on the Security 
Council as every other member state.
  Now that the reforms have been required by Congress, the next step 
must be enforcing them. I must say that I would have preferred the 
enforcement procedure of the United Nations Accountability Act--
requiring a second vote by Congress to approve the reforms. Instead the 
Administration has to certify that the U.N. has indeed made the 
required reforms--not just making progress, but actually accomplishing 
them. Congress now has the duty to keep both U.N. and the 
Administration honest. I will do my best to do so, and if any 
certification is made that is in conflict with the facts, I will lead 
the effort to block further appropriations.

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