[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 84 (Wednesday, June 28, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1137]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1137]]
DEPARTMENTS OF COMMERCE, JUSTICE, AND STATE, THE JUDICIARY, AND RELATED 
                   AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2001

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. MAXINE WATERS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 26, 2000

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union and under consideration the bill (H.R. 4690) making 
     appropriations for the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and 
     State, the Judiciary, and related agencies for the fiscal 
     year ending September 30, 2001, and for other purposes:

  Ms. WATERS. Mr. Chairman, the Jackson amendment would restore funding 
for international peacekeeping in the Commerce-Justice-State 
Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2001.
  The Commerce-Justice-State Appropriations Act cuts funding for 
international peacekeeping efforts by $241 million below the 
President's request. That is a 33 percent cut in an essential 
international program. These funds must be restored.
  Peacekeeping operations play an important role in the maintenance and 
establishment of peace and stability in many parts of the world. In 
Cyprus, United Nations peacekeepers prevented two NATO allies from 
going to war. In El Salvador, peacekeepers helped bring a long and 
bloody civil war to an end. In Israel, peacekeeping operations on the 
Golan Heights helped preserve the peace between Israel and Syria.
  I am particularly concerned about the situation in the Democratic 
Republic of the Congo. The war that erupted in the Congo in August of 
1998 has been a widespread and destructive conflict, involving forces 
from several different countries. The peacekeeping efforts of the 
United Nations are essential to bring peace and stability to the Congo 
and the entire Great Lakes Region of Africa. Once peace and stability 
have been established, the Congo may begin to develop its natural 
resources, invest in health and education for its people, improve its 
infrastructure, pursue economic development and participate in 
mutually-beneficial trade with the United States.
  There are conflicts all over the world that threaten peace and 
stability. These conflicts interfere with development and result in 
unimaginable suffering and countless violations of internationally 
recognized human rights. They also interfere with international trade 
and eliminate markets for American goods and services. They often cause 
significant increases in international refugee flows and illegal 
immigration into the United States. They threaten the lives of American 
citizens traveling abroad.
  Peacekeeping allows the international community to attempt to restore 
peace, protect civilians and promote stability and development. Support 
for and participation in peacekeeping missions allow the United States 
to promote American values. In countries experiencing internal 
conflicts, peacekeeping is an essential ingredient in the restoration 
of democracy. Peacekeeping is a critical investment in our national 
security.
  The cost of peacekeeping is small, and the benefits are tremendous. I 
urge my colleagues to support the Jackson amendment and restore funding 
for peacekeeping.

                          ____________________