[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 106 (Thursday, July 17, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1503]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    FOREIGN RELATIONS AUTHORIZATION ACT, FISCAL YEARS 2004 AND 2005

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. CHRISTOPHER SHAYS

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 15, 2003

  The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union 
had under consideration the bill. (H.R. 1950) to authorize 
appropriations for the Department of State for the fiscal years 2004 
and 2005, to authorize appropriations under the Arms Export Control Act 
and the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 for security assistance for 
fiscal years 2004 and 2005, and for other purposes.
  Mr. SHAYS. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to this very harmful 
amendment.
  In the early 1990s, because of concerns about United Nations' 
operations and the lack of reforms by that body, the United States 
began withholding its payments to the UN and fell into arrears. We 
subsequently debated this issue for years, and, in November 1999, 
Congress and the Administration finally agreed on a plan to repay our 
longstanding debt to the UN in exchange for significant reforms by the 
world body.
  This agreement conditioned U.S. payments of $819 million on 
substantial reforms at the UN. In return for the United States making 
good on its commitment, the UN reduced our contributions to its regular 
budget from 25 to 20 percent, and to the peacekeeping budget from 31 to 
25 percent. The UN also agreed to open up its financial books to the 
United States and to establish an office of an Inspector General at 
each of its program offices.
  We've debated these issues, and this body has decided the United 
States should continue to be a member in good standing at the UN. This 
amendment would send us back to a debate settled more than three years 
ago.
  Mr. Chairman, as the UN's single largest contributor, the United 
States is granted unparalleled power to craft the UN's agenda and 
budget. Our financial leadership truly gives us the ability to shape 
world events.
  Countries all over the world are looking to the United States for 
leadership, yet if this amendment were to pass, what they would see is 
a very powerful and wealthy country refusing to live up to its 
international commitments. Why, as a nation, would we want to 
unnecessarily complicate our diplomatic efforts at a time when we need 
every ounce of leverage?
  While we must continue examining its operations and recommending 
operational improvements, the United Nations deserves U.S. support as 
it continues to combat terrorism, promote economic growth and assist 
countries in moving towards democracy.
  I urge my colleagues to vote against the King/Hayworth Amendment.

                          ____________________