[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 60 (Tuesday, May 16, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E729-E732]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E729]]



 AMERICAN VETERANS COMMITTEE (AVC) INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS PLATFORM AND 
                              RESOLUTIONS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ALBERT RUSSELL WYNN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 16, 2000

  Mr. WYNN. Mr. Speaker, today I recognize the American Veterans 
Committee (AVC). The American Veterans Committee is an outstanding 
organization of American veterans with ongoing concerns and interest in 
our foreign policy and international affairs. I submit for the Record 
their International Affairs Platform and Resolutions, as prepared by 
the American Veterans Committee, International Affairs Commission and 
adopted by the American Veterans Committee (AVC) National Board at the 
National Board Meeting, Tuesday, August 26, 1997, with appropriate 
changes as of November 1999.

                     International Affairs Platform

       We, the members of the American Veterans Committee (AVC), 
     believe that in international affairs the objective of the 
     United States of America is the maintenance of peace. All 
     else aside, the world must avoid the holocaust of nuclear 
     war. The end of the Cold War, the dissolution of the Soviet 
     Union, and the fall of the Berlin Wall brought much hope of 
     the avoidance of nuclear war--at least among the major 
     powers--in the foreseeable future. Many international 
     problems remain, and the United States has been active--along 
     with the United Nations--in dealing with hostilities in the 
     Middle East and the Balkan States, Central and Southeast 
     Asia, such African states as Somalia, Rwanda and Zaire (now 
     the Democratic Republic of the Congo), and in Central America 
     and the Caribbean. The work of the United States has aided in 
     establishing and restoring elective governments wherever 
     possible.
       Within that framework, our foreign policy, like our 
     domestic policy, must seek always to enhance social justice 
     for and the welfare of the individual, in all classes and 
     without regard to race, religion, ethnicity, language, sex, 
     sexual orientation, or age. Our policies should strive for 
     realization of the world envisioned in the Universal 
     Declaration of Human Rights, a world in which all might eat 
     and sleep in safety, live under and vote in an elective 
     government, with realistic hope and opportunity their 
     reasonable aspirations.


               I. THE UNITED NATIONS AND WORLD GOVERNANCE

       The United Nations (UN), despite its weakness, continues to 
     be the best hope for peace in the world. American support of 
     the UN must be an essential part of our foreign policy. The 
     authority of the UN must be strengthened in a process in 
     which selected elements of national sovereignty will be 
     progressively transferred, in a manner that will enhance the 
     fundamental freedoms and the well-being of all the peoples of 
     the world.
       AVC supports the following principles, reforms and programs 
     for a more effective United Nations:
       1. International law governing disputes and conduct of UN 
     member states, and other states, with one another should be 
     improved, clarified, codified, and obeyed. The U.S. and all 
     member states should work within the UN for the development 
     of clear, well understood and respected international law. 
     All member states should accept the jurisdiction of the 
     International Court of Justice (ICJ) to interpret and 
     implement international law. Other steps of clarification of 
     and respect for international law might include:
       (a) a procedure whereby the Security Council would decide, 
     in cases of continuing bilateral disputes that threaten world 
     security, to require the UN member states involved (including 
     Security Council members) either to present themselves to 
     conciliation proceedings or to take the dispute to the ICJ;
       (b) General Assembly authorization of the Secretary 
     General, under Article 96 of the Charter, to turn to the ICJ 
     for advisory opinions;
       (c) the establishment of an International Criminal Court to 
     try individuals accused of specific violations of 
     international law; and
       (d) provision for individuals or groups that believe their 
     rights have not been respected to petition the UN High 
     Commissioner for Human Rights for reaction and then, if the 
     issue is not resolved, to petition the General Assembly for a 
     hearing.
       2. The United States and other debtor states must pay their 
     United Nations past and current dues and assessments in full 
     to honor their treaty obligations. Consequences for continued 
     non-payment must be instituted.
       3. The effectiveness of the UN must be improved through 
     better financing, including such mechanisms as--
       (a) a treaty among member states to establish partial self-
     financing of UN peace-keeping and other programs through a 
     worldwide tax on airline tickets, currency exchanges, and the 
     value of ocean freight;
       (b) a surcharge on international postage items;
       (c) rent for the exclusive use of satellite positions;
       (d) national legislation within member states to ease the 
     way to voluntary individual contributions to UN programs 
     through tax-deductibility of contributions; and
       (e) sale of UN bonds to private individuals and of extra 
     premium postage stamps.
       4. The UN structures for dispute mediation and conflict 
     prevention and resolution should be strengthened through the 
     establishment of a UN Peace Observation Corps of 100 to 200 
     highly-trained professional observers and mediators to assist 
     the Security Council and Secretary General--backed by a 
     competent research and analysis unit--to track potential 
     crisis situations and, further, to identify the most 
     successful approaches to conflict prevention and resolution 
     from past crises.
       5. United Nations peace-keeping capability should be 
     improved through such means as:
       (a) predesignation of peace-keeping units in their own 
     forces by member states with provision for joint training of 
     such designated units to be financed either through voluntary 
     contributions or regular peace-keeping expenditures;
       (b) a task force established by the Security Council to 
     study the practical detail of a small UN Readiness Force, to 
     be placed at the disposal of the Security Council--10,000 
     troops composed of volunteers contributed by member states in 
     small units (companies or battalions)--and with the purpose 
     of intervention in the early stages of possible conflict 
     before it expands to widespread fighting and, when not 
     engaged in peace-keeping operations to train peace-keeping 
     personnel of interested member states;
       (c) a second task force established by the Security Council 
     to investigate practical steps to use more effectively the 
     Military Staff Committee (Article 47 of the UN Charter) with 
     responsibility for enforcement, peace-keeping operation, and 
     disarmament.
       6. Further international cooperation for peace and 
     sustainable development should be enhanced through the 
     establishment of a UN Economic Security Council to take the 
     place of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), its 
     functions being to balance the interests of citizens, 
     nations, and corporations in an increasingly globalized 
     economy and, in particular, to improve coordination on 
     economic and social programs within the UN system.
       7. Movement should be made toward a genuine career UN civil 
     service, with training of UN staff on all levels to include 
     the recognition of diversity of cultures. And, further, with 
     the elimination of political appointments, level-by-level 
     over a period of years, with all positions in the UN 
     Secretariat except those of the Secretary General and his 
     immediate staff being held only by those who have passed the 
     UN entry examination or met other well-established 
     professional criteria including maintenance of a high-level 
     of performance.
       8. The influence of civil society at the UN should be 
     strengthened through measures such as a biennial Citizens' 
     Assembly at the UN representing all NGOs. The Citizens' 
     Assembly would develop concepts and proposals for transmittal 
     to and discussion by the General Assembly, especially as 
     regards widest possible participation of NGOs at all UN 
     conferences.
       9. The integrity and independence of the Office of the 
     Secretary General, as expressed in the UN Charter, are 
     crucial to the strength and effectiveness of the United 
     Nations. The U.S. should oppose any attempt to weaken the 
     powers of this office. AVC commends the leadership of the 
     present Secretary General Kofi Annan, in making the 
     organization work more effectively.
       10. The formation of supra-national authorities of a 
     regional nature consistent with the UN Charter and treaty 
     arrangements which limit the sovereignty of the participating 
     nations in order to secure mutual advantages, such as the 
     European Union, Euratom, and others. The United States should 
     further encourage initiatives through the Council of Europe 
     or otherwise to create, consolidate, and strengthen 
     institutions which may lead to a politically stable and 
     prosperous European entity.
       11. In pursuit of the goals of the United Nations and the 
     dream of a world free from exploitation as well as the 
     scourge of war, the establishment of democratic governments 
     throughout the world should be encouraged and persistently 
     supported.


                  II. WORLD VETERANS FEDERATION (WVF)

       The American Veterans Committee points with pride to and 
     pledges continuing support for the World Veterans Federation, 
     a worldwide organization of former combatants

[[Page E730]]

     whose activities are a remarkable example of the kind of 
     private international cooperation on which lasting world 
     peace and justice can be built.


                  III. NUCLEAR TESTING AND DISARMAMENT

       Complete elimination of nuclear weapons testing and the 
     establishment of international controls on this most 
     dangerous weapons technology must be the goal of American 
     foreign policy. Our world finds itself in the unique and 
     unenviable position where one generation can make life on 
     Earth unlivable for later generations.
       The adoption by the United Nations of a Comprehensive Test 
     Ban Treaty in September 1996 is a significant advance with 
     all five Permanent Security Council states among the 
     signatories. Complete and total disarmament is the ultimate 
     summum bonum, but this is an objective remote in time; 
     immediate achievement is not feasible. Efforts toward that 
     goal should be made by the United States nonetheless and 
     should be encouraged in other nations. Mankind can never 
     reach its true destiny if it must continue to allocate so 
     high a percentage of its resources to forge the weapons of 
     war.


         IV. CHEMICAL WEAPONS--UN TREATY BANNING SUCH WEAPONRY

       The American Veterans Committee (AVC) without reservation 
     supports the adoption by the United Nations of a treaty that 
     bans in the world the use of chemical weapons. And at the 
     time of the development of this AVC/IAC Platform, AVC urges 
     the United States Senate to support ratification of the UN 
     treaty on chemical weapons.
       AVC believes that the world-wide ban on testing nuclear 
     weapons on the total elimination of the anti-personnel 
     landmines, and the ban on the use of chemical weapons have a 
     major role in ensuring the continuation of civilization on 
     this Earth.


                    V. UNITED STATES AND ITS ALLIES

       Inevitably differences will arise between the United States 
     and its allies, but these are differences which can be and 
     must be resolved around the conference table. In its 
     negotiations the US should seek no more than the rights and 
     privileges of a willing partner.
       The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was formed in 
     a world considerably different from the world of today. The 
     American Veterans Committee (AVC) supports the reassessment 
     by the NATO nations of their membership and role. Its 
     continued organization and operation should reflect the 
     changing
       In Latin America we must bend every effort to erase the 
     image of the United States as a prosperous, patronizing, and 
     paternalistic benefactor or intervenor. It should be the 
     objective of the US foreign policy to create instead an image 
     of a US that wants to be a good partner as well as a good 
     neighbor--in helping the peoples of Latin America work out 
     their own destiny.
       The US should, at every turn, encourage the UN or the 
     Organization of American States (OAS) to be the forum in 
     which to resolve differences and disagreements among or with 
     our Latin American neighbors. We must show by word and deed 
     that we have no desire to impose our own form of government 
     or way of life upon any country of Latin America. The United 
     States nevertheless continues to believe in the effectiveness 
     of a democratic form of government.
       Relations with Cuba continue to be difficult, but we 
     believe that the US should resume humanitarian aid to the 
     Cuban people, an aid cut off as a result of the downing of 
     two US civilian planes by the Cubans in the Cuban waters. The 
     policy of penalizing other countries which trade with US 
     firms--firms that have been nationalized by the Cuban 
     government--has seriously strained relations with some of our 
     closest allies and, therefore, should be abandoned as soon as 
     possible.


                  VI. THE UNITED STATES AND THE WORLD

       At the end of the twentieth century and the second 
     millennium, the US must continue to be willing to help the 
     developing nations of Africa, Asia, and Latin America to 
     direct their own destinies. The UN forum must be held open to 
     the developing nations. And the services of the UN 
     specialized agencies, for example, the World Health 
     Organization (WHO), and the many non-governmental 
     organizations (the NGOs) must appropriately be focused on the 
     needs of the developing nations.
       The gap between the social and economic bases of the 
     developed countries and those of the developing countries 
     continues to widen. The decline in relative socio-economic 
     position of developing nations, accompanied as it is by a 
     population explosion (now being recently addressed), has led 
     to dangerous tension and the outbreak of violence and 
     disorder in many areas of the world. Africa faces 
     particularly difficult problems, and African institutions 
     seeking to solve these problem, such as the Organization of 
     African Unity (OAU), deserve our continuing support.
       Acknowledged that the ability of the United States to 
     underwrite services in assistance of all foreign countries is 
     limited, its efforts to aid developing countries should be 
     utilized at points of greatest potential for success. 
     Priority should be given to those countries which can make 
     the most rational and productive use of such aid, 
     humanitarian considerations aside under conditions of famine 
     and natural disasters. In evaluating the effectiveness of 
     United States' aid, due weight should be given not only to 
     economic and environmental considerations but also to the 
     strengthening of democratic institutions and the 
     consolidation of efforts on a regional basis.
       Only when asked and only when it is clear that armed force 
     is necessary to thwart a take-over by powers inimical to the 
     survival of a weak and developing nation should the United 
     States furnish military assistance. Even then, it should be 
     with the approval and cooperative assistance of the United 
     Nations and regional organizatins.


                         VII. RUSSIA AND CHINA

       The end of the Cold War and the dissolution of the Soviet 
     Union into Russia and the several independent states--plus 
     the freeing of Eastern Europe and the separation of the three 
     Baltic States--has caused a monumental improvement in the 
     international relations of the United States and Russia and 
     the Eastern European states as well. With many problems 
     remaining, all have moved toward democratic
       China also does not seem as threatening as it has in the 
     past--as the ``free market economy'' has penetrated even this 
     nation state. At the same time, quarrels between the United 
     States and China--both with respect to the independence of 
     Taiwan and ``human rights''--are expected to continue. Trade 
     between the U.S. and China will surely expand despite the 
     disapproval in the US of the latter China policy. The US 
     should use its trading relationship to continue to press for 
     relaxation of China's stern measures against dissent, 
     especially as China prepares to take over during this year 
     Hong Kong--once the market capital of Southeast Asia.


                    VIII. ISRAEL AND THE ARAB STATES

       The American Veterans Committee strongly supports the 
     efforts of the United States to continue the peace process 
     begun at Camp David in 1979, continued at Madrid in 1991, 
     further affirmed at Oslo in 1993, and today reflected in the 
     Wye Memorandum agreements of the Prime Minister of Israel and 
     the Head of the Palestinian Movement. Although no rigid 
     deadline should be set, the ultimate goal should be the 
     fulfillment of the UN Security Council Resolution 242 (1967), 
     which requires that Israel evacuate the territory occupied in 
     that year in return for recognition by Arab countries of 
     Israel's sovereignty, territorial integrity, political 
     integrity, and peace. Exception must be made for areas 
     absolutely necessary for Israel's existence as a state.


                            IX. WORLD TRADE

       Unlimited global economic growth through global free trade 
     in a global free market. That has long been an American 
     dream; for some, almost a religion. In 1945, two great 
     international financial institutions (IFIs) were erected, and 
     a third envisaged, to make the dream real. In collaboration 
     with other World War II winners--all great capitalist 
     powers--and some developing world possessors of great natural 
     resources, the U.S. hosted and led the Bretton Woods, New 
     Hampshire, meetings that launched the International Bank for 
     Reconstruction and Development (the ``World Bank'') and the 
     International Monetary Fund (IMF). A third institution, to 
     promote and regulate global trade, was postponed. In 1995, 
     however, it opened for business as the World Trade 
     Organization (WTO).
       Two assumptions that undergirded the Bretton Woods 
     institutions' establishment are deeply flawed. The first is 
     that growth and enhanced world trade will benefit everyone. 
     The second is that growth will not be constrained by the 
     inherent limits of a finite planet.
       The first fallacious assumption was summarized and 
     popularized by President Kennedy's famous dictum, ``A rising 
     tide lifts all boats.'' The trouble with that is, of course, 
     many more people don't have boats than do. For the have-nots, 
     the rising tide means run for the hills or drown on the 
     beach.
       At Bretton Woods, U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Henry 
     Morgenthau advocated rapid ``material progress on an earth 
     infinitely blessed with natural riches.'' He asked 
     participants to embrace the ``elementary economic axiom . . . 
     that prosperity has no fixed limits. It is not a finite 
     substance to be diminished by division.''
       That perception is now widely controverted, most 
     importantly in the ``Earth Summit'' deliberations and 
     agreements at Rio in 1992. But, as economist David C. Korten 
     points out, the World Bank and IMF, in their ``structural 
     adjustment programs,'' are still holding faithfully to 
     Morgenthau's half-century-old mandate. They ``have pressured 
     countries of the South to open their borders and convert 
     their economies from diverse production for local self-
     sufficiency to export production for the global market.''
       Under the regime of the Bretton Woods institutions and the 
     new World Trade Organization (WTO), the planet's far from 
     infinite resources are being divided in ways that are, first, 
     wasteful and environmentally unsustainable; and, second, so 
     uneven, unjust and cruel as to incite armed revolutions--some 
     now underway.
       The brave new world of IFIs, trans-national corporations 
     (TNCs), and free trade has enormously

[[Page E731]]


       The WTO and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) 
     are creating new jobs, often by displacing others. They are 
     eroding labor and environmental standards. The American 
     Veterans Committee favors renewed and thorough public 
     discussion of both these treaties, followed by their 
     renegotiation and extensive revision or replacement with 
     others more friendly to people.

                   INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS RESOLUTIONS


                          1. THE BALKAN STATES

       Having goals of peace, security, and development in the 
     Balkans and well aware that what was once Yugoslavia is now 
     Yugoslavia/Serbia, Herzegovinia, Croatia, Macedonia, 
     Montenegro, and Slovenia;
       Noting with appreciation that the World Veterans Federation 
     (WVF) brought together its member organizations 
     (International Conference, Luxembourg, 5-7 May 1996) to 
     arrive at ``principles to be followed and measures to be 
     taken'' for attainment of those goals . . . and that the 
     Luxembourg International Conference carefully took into 
     account the position adopted in Dayton (Ohio/USA) with 
     respect to Bosnia-Herzegovinia;
       Aware that peoples of different ethnic, religious, and 
     historical background do have differences, sometimes 
     substantial almost insurmountable differences;
       Supporting the elections of a democratic state and urging 
     the peoples to support the results of the elections wherever 
     in the Balkan States;
       Also supporting the position that individuals accused of 
     ``war crimes or crimes against humanity'' must be brought 
     before the appropriate court;
       Believing with respect to the totality of the Balkan States 
     that ``recognition by every State in the region of all the 
     other States in the region and renunciation of all forms of 
     nationalism leading to the notion of `greater State,' 
     ethnocentrism, xenophobia, and intolerance toward 
     minorites'';
       Continuing to respect the final act of Helsinki, which 
     emphasizes the security and cooperation in Europe;
       The American Veterans Committee continues to adopt the 
     position that mediation and discussion, together with (a) 
     peace-keeping, economic, and infrastructural support from 
     NATO and the UN, including in both instances the United 
     States of America, and (b) vital governing provisions Bosnia-
     Herzegovinia and other Balkan States will lead to a state of 
     multi-ethnic, multi-culture, and multi-denomination with full 
     respect for the rights of all the people concerned.


                   2. BAN ON ``ANTI-PERSONNEL'' MINES

       Recognizing that the President of the United States has 
     himself used the phrase ``global humanitarian tragedy caused 
     by the indiscriminate use of anti-personnel mines'';
       Reviewing the long-standing position of the American 
     Veterans Committee (AVC) in support of the total ban of land 
     mines, or anti-personnel mines;
       Recalling also that the statement to the President of the 
     United States of generals of the United States Armed Forces 
     established that land mines hurt the United States more than 
     they helped our Armed Forces;
       Continuing to observe that around the world children and 
     women and other civilians have sustained injuries and even 
     death from land mines.
       The American Veterans Committee continues respectfully to 
     urge the President of the United States to adopt a strong 
     position with the goal of eliminating land mines, or anti-
     personnel mines, from our global life, a position by the 
     President that includes the end of use by our Armed Forces of 
     such mines.


                                3. CUBA

       Observing Fidel Castro has been in power in Cuba for more 
     than forty years and that all efforts to remove him and 
     change his regime have been and continue to be futile;
       Believing that the Helms-Burton Act has not been and will 
     not be effective in achieving its stated goal(s), and judging 
     further that this Act of Congress has only created conflict 
     between us and our close allies;
       The American Veterans Committee believes that the Helms-
     Burton Act should be repealed; further, that the United 
     States should establish diplomatic ties or permit commercial 
     relationships with Cuba . . . the U.S. acting thus in its own 
     self-interest.


                     4. ISRAEL AND THE MIDDLE EAST

       Applauding in the early days of the American Veterans 
     Committee (AVC) the establishment of the nation of Israel;
       Supporting the leadership of President Jimmy Carter in 
     bringing together Prime Minister Menachem Begin of Israel and 
     Egypt's leader Anwar Sadat and further supporting the 
     agreement developing from the meeting of Begin and Sadat;
       Noting with satisfaction the further movement toward 
     conciliation, reconciliation, and peace formulated by 
     Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and the present and 
     immediate past Prime Ministers of Israel;
       Urging the leaders of Israel and Palestine today to 
     continue using mediation in arriving at agreements, including 
     an agreement with respect to East Jerusalem;
       AVC continues to support the right of Israel to peace and 
     economic and socio-cultural development and the use of the 
     instrument of discussion and mediation in the consideration 
     of all elements and aspects of difference and conflict 
     between Israel and the neighboring peoples and nations--
     whether they be Palestine, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, or any 
     other nation state; AVC in supporting the above stated 
     developments in Israel in no way implies that it does not 
     support similar development of Palestine as well as all and 
     other nations as they too seek peace and improvement of the 
     qualify of life for their peoples.


               5. THE UNITED NATIONS--SUPPORT WITH REFORM

       Recognizing that the American Veterans Committee (AVC) has 
     been a staunch supporter of the United Nations since its 
     inception in 1945 and has taken a very active role in the 
     World Veterans Federation, a role that has enabled AVC to 
     serve in the capacity of an NGO;
       Recognizing nevertheless that time has brought the need for 
     reform of a number of the systems and activities of the UN 
     and those of some if its member states;
       Observing further that some member states and even our own 
     nation, the United States, have failed to meet their 
     financial obligations as dues-paying members in the UN;
       Resolved by the American Veterans Committee:
       1. THAT the United States and other debtor states must pay 
     their United Nations dues in full to fulfill their treaty 
     obligations; that consequences for continued non-payment must 
     be instituted.
       2. THAT the effectiveness of the UN must be improved 
     through better financing, including such mechanisms as (a) a 
     treaty among member states to establish partial self-
     financing of UN peace-keeping and other programs through a 
     worldwide tax on airline tickets and the value of ocean 
     freight; (b) a surcharge on international postage items; (c) 
     rent for the exclusive use of satellite positions; (d) 
     national legislation within member states to ease the way to 
     voluntary individual contributions to UN programs through 
     tax-deductibility of contributions; and (e) sale of UN bonds 
     to private individuals and of extra premium postage stamps;
       3. THAT the UN structures for dispute mediation and 
     conflict prevention and resolution be strengthened through 
     the establishment of a UN Peace Observation Corps of 100-200 
     highly-trained professional observers and mediators to assist 
     the Security Council and Secretary General--backed by a 
     competent research and analysis unit--to track potential 
     crisis situations and, further, to identify the most 
     successful approaches to conflict prevention and resolution 
     from past crises;
       4. THAT United Nations peace-keeping capability be improved 
     through such means as (a) predesignation of peace-keeping 
     units in their own forces by member states with provision for 
     joint training of such designated units to be financed either 
     through voluntary contributions or regular peace-keeping 
     expenditures; (b) a task force established by the Security 
     Council to study the practical detail of a small UN Readiness 
     Force, to be placed at the disposal of the Security Council--
     10,000 troops composed of volunteers contributed by member 
     states in small units (companies or battalions) . . . and 
     with the purpose of intervention in the early stages of the 
     possible conflict before it expands to widespread fighting 
     and, when not engaged in peace-keeping operations to train 
     peace-keeping personnel of interested member states; (c) a 
     second task force established by the Security Council to 
     investigate practical steps to revive the Military Staff 
     Committee (foreseen in the UN Charter) with responsibility 
     for enforcement, peace-keeping operation, and disarmament;
       5. THAT the Security Council become more responsive to the 
     concerns of the General Assembly through arranging for 
     regular presentation of the Assembly to the Council and 
     discussion by the latter of the views of the General 
     Assembly, as reflected in the Assembly Resolutions, with the 
     President of the Assembly given ex-officio membership on the 
     Council, and through continued study of the representative 
     qualities of the UNSC membership;
       6. THAT the rule of law among nations be strengthened 
     through (a) a movement toward universal acceptance of the 
     jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice by 
     introducing a procedure where the Security Council would 
     decide, in cases where continuing bilateral disputes threaten 
     world security, to require the UN member states involved 
     (including Security Council members) either to present 
     themselves to conciliation proceedings or to take the dispute 
     to the International Court of Justice; (b) General Assembly 
     authorization of the Secretary General to turn to the 
     International Court of Justice for advisory opinions; (c) the 
     establishment of an International Criminal Court to try 
     individuals accused of specific violations of international 
     law; and (d) provisions that individuals or groups who 
     consider that their rights have not been respected may 
     petition the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights for 
     reaction and then, if the issue is not resolved, to petition 
     the General Assembly for a hearing;
       7. THAT further international cooperation for peace and 
     substantial development be enhanced through the establishment 
     of a UN

[[Page E732]]

     Economic Security Council to take the place of ECOSOC, its 
     functions being to balance the interests of citizens, 
     nations, and corporations in an increasingly globalized 
     economy and, in particular, to improve coordination on 
     economic and social programs within the UN system;
       8. THAT movement be made toward a genuine career UN civil 
     service, with training of UN staff on all levels to include 
     the recognition of diversity of cultures. And, further, with 
     the elimination of political appointments, level-by-level 
     over a period of years, with all positions in the UN 
     Secretariat except those of the Secretary General and his 
     immediate staff being held only by those who have passed the 
     UN entry examination or met other well-established 
     professional criteria including maintenance of a high-level 
     of
       9. THAT the influence of civil society at the UN be 
     strengthened through enhancing the role and access of citizen 
     organizations with regard to their participation in 
     proceedings of the General Assembly and all UN conferences 
     through a biennial Citizens' Assembly at the UN representing 
     all NGOs to develop concepts and proposals for transmittal to 
     and discussion by the UN General Assembly;
       10. THAT isolationism within the United States be fought in 
     all its forms, as the US with about five percent of the 
     world's population needs the UN to serve as a necessary and 
     vital bridge to the rest of the world; and
       11. THAT funding of the UN Trusteeship Council should end 
     inasmuch as there are no longer any Trust Territories, 
     thereby eliminating a stark example of bureaucratic waste 
     within the UN itself and setting a precedent for other 
     comparable action as warranted.


 6. US RATIFICATION OF RELEVANT CONVENTIONS PROTOCOLS, AND TREATIES ON 
                             WOMEN'S RIGHTS

       Recognizing the importance of the United Nations 
     Conventions on the Elimination of Discrimination Against 
     Women (CEDAW) and other international conventions and 
     treaties which promote the human rights of women and their 
     desire for full equality with men in all pursuits of life;
       The American Veterans Committee (AVC) calls for the United 
     States Senate (a) to endorse the CEDAW which would make the 
     United States a signatory to the CEDAW, and (b) to support 
     other international conventions and treaties promoting the 
     rights and interests of women;
       AVC affirms the proposition spelled out in The Platform For 
     Action that human rights are universal and equally applicable 
     to women; the inherent and indivisible rights of women must 
     be affirmed by the international community, and support the 
     Mission Statement from Beijing that ``equality between women 
     and men is a matter of human rights and a condition for 
     social justice and is also a necessary and fundamental 
     prerequisite for equality, development, and peace.'' [N.B. 
     The previous statement flows from the United Nations 4th 
     International Conference on Women, held in Beijing, China, 
     September 1995.]


      7. US RATIFICATION OF UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COVENANTS

       Supporting since the adoption by the United Nations nearly 
     a half-century ago of the ``Universal Declaration of Human 
     Rights'' the philosophy and concept of human rights for all 
     people all over the globe;
       Supporting further the United Nations Human Rights 
     Covenants on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights--as well 
     as the United Nations Human Right Covenants on Civil and 
     Political Rights;
       Noting that more than 175 nations of the world have 
     ratified the UN Human Rights Covenants;
       Noting further that the United States of America became a 
     signatory, during the administration of President Jimmy 
     Carter to the UN HR Covenants;
       The American Veterans Committee (AVC) respectfully urges 
     the President of the United States to take all immediate and 
     reasonable steps to move the United States not only as a 
     signatory but also as a nation ratifying both United Nations 
     Human Rights Covenants (a) Economic, Social, and Cultural as 
     well as (b) Civil and Political Rights.


    8. US SUPPORT FOR THE REPORT ON THE IMPACT OF ARMED CONFLICT ON 
                                CHILDREN

       Noting with satisfaction the release of the important study 
     of the ``Impact Of Armed Conflict On
       Reaffirming the American Veterans Committee's traditional 
     support for strict adherence to international humanitarian 
     laws and human rights standards in situations of armed 
     conflict;
       Reaffirming further our support for the implementation of 
     the Convention of the Rights of the Child;
       The American Veterans Committee (a) calls upon the 
     international community to offer special care and protection 
     of refugee and internally placed children and (b) further 
     calls international support for the findings of the of the 
     Report, including calling upon governments to prevent the 
     recruitment of children under the age of 18 and to demobilize 
     any children under that age.


     9. THE UNITED NATIONS ASSOCIATION/US AND THE WORLD FEDERALIST 
                              ASSOCIATION

       Recognizing for decades that the World Federalist 
     Association (WFA) in the United States and World Federalism 
     elsewhere in the world have appropriately emphasized the 
     global nature of the Earth and our life thereon;
       Recognizing further that the work of the United Nations 
     Associations/US in its support of the United Nations itself 
     has similarly reflected an understanding of the global nature 
     of the world;
       Observing that both of these organizations have emphasized 
     the great need of peoples to work together for a better world 
     at the same time their governments work together in the 
     United Nations for peace and security;
       Having members of the American Veterans Committee (AVC) 
     also in positions of leader-ship and membership in the WFA 
     and likewise in positions of leadership in the United Nations 
     Association/US;
       Believing today that the WFA position is still sound and 
     that its annual and regional and assembly meetings are 
     productive . . . likewise noting the effectiveness and value 
     of the National Assembly of the UNA/US;
       Believing today that the WFA position is still sound and 
     that its national and regional meetings are productive, 
     having produced recent leadership in advancing the 
     international criminal court, the Hague Appeal for Peace and 
     adequate UN funding . . . likewise noting the effectiveness 
     and value of the results achieved by the national and 
     regional assemblies of the UNA/US;
       American Veterans Committee finds that both the work of the 
     United Nations Association/US and the World Federalist 
     Association have goals and programs that lead to a stronger 
     and more productive relationship of the peoples in the 
     nations of the world; and, therefore, AVC supports both of 
     these organizations.


      10. WORLD VETERANS FEDERATION--A HALF CENTURY OF AVC SUPPORT

       Reviewing with gratification the nearly half century 
     history of the World Veterans Federation (WVF) and the 
     funding membership of the American Veterans Committee (AVC) 
     in WVF in 1950 as well as the continuing AVC membership now 
     in 1997;
       Reviewing also the long and consistent programs and work of 
     WVF in behalf of veterans as well as those who have suffered 
     on account of war--the WVF program always including support 
     of the United Nations;
       Recalling the guidance of WVF by the CREDO created by the 
     late United Nations Under-secretary General Ralph J. Bunche . 
     . . the Credo having the celebrated phrase ``None can speak 
     more eloquently for peace than those who have fought in 
     war'';
       Noting that WVF has consistently brought veterans from all 
     over the world to its General Assemblies, Council meetings, 
     and such special meetings as the 1990 Conference on the 
     Mediterranean held in Malta, and observing that WVF now looks 
     forward this year to its 23rd General Assembly to be held in 
     Seoul, Korea;
       Taking pride in the fifty-year leadership of WVF Presidents 
     and Secretaries General, including the present leader General 
     Bjorn Egge and Secretary General Serge Wourgaft;
       Observing also that contributing to WVF over many, many 
     years have been and are such AVCers as the late United States 
     District Court Judge Hubert Will (WVF US Council Member for 
     the three terms and WVF International Vice President), 
     Executive Director June A. Willenz (who heads the WVF 
     Standing Committee on Women), Stanley Allen (who has served 
     the WVF US Council for more than four decades as its 
     Executive Secretary), and Dr. Paul P. Cooke (who serves the 
     WVF US Council at this time as its Alternate Council Member);
       The Americans Veterans Committee continues to support 
     without reservation the World Veterans Federation and looks 
     forward to continuing membership and contribution to WVF 
     programs.

     

                          ____________________