[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 39 (Monday, April 3, 2000)]
[House]
[Page H1633]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  U.N. PEACEKEEPING COSTS ON THE RISE

  (Mr. STEARNS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, I do not think my colleagues would be 
surprised to hear that the U.N. peacekeeping costs are on the rise. A 
recent Washington Post article reported that peacekeeping costs are 
expected to double this year to nearly $2 billion. This means that the 
United States will again be strapped with a financial and a personal 
burden, especially since the administration has stretched our military 
so much.
  Under the current formula, the U.S. pays about 30 percent, almost 
one-third of all the peacekeeping costs. Contrast that with China who 
is a member of the United Nations and they contribute a little less 
than 1 percent. The same China that the administration wants Congress 
to recognize for permanent normal trade relations. This antiquated 
formula has not changed for 26 years.
  A Republican led Congress has finally addressed this problem by 
requiring that United States arrears be tied to a more equitable 
formula. But this change is likely to meet with conflict. So who is 
shocked that many countries that have a free ride are balking at 
financial responsibility? Congress must maintain fiscal responsibility 
by requiring all members of the U.N. to do their share, including 
China.

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