[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 93 (Tuesday, July 12, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1470]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING KOFI ANNAN FOR HIS ROLE IN THE CREATION OF THE UNITED 
                         NATIONS DEMOCRACY FUND

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                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 12, 2005

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of United 
Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan for his outstanding leadership in 
the creation of the United Nations Democracy Fund.
  Under Mr. Annan's guidance, the UN has held leaders of the global 
community to a higher degree of accountability. In 2001, the Secretary-
General issued a ``Call to Action'' to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic 
and proposed the establishment of a Global AIDS and Health Fund to 
stimulate the increased spending needed to help developing countries 
around the world confront the HIV/AIDS crisis.
  His dedication to spreading democracy has also been at the forefront 
of his agenda. In 1998, he was instrumental in a mission to help 
promote the transition to civilian rule in Nigeria.
  Earlier this year, Mr. Annan introduced his UN reform package, 
calling on world leaders to be responsible to the global community. His 
plan included strategies for achieving international development, 
maintaining security and ensuring human rights. Among these initiatives 
was the creation of the UN Democracy Fund. The fund promises to promote 
democracy throughout the world by providing technical assistance to 
countries seeking to establish or strengthen their democracy. Mr. Annan 
has urged Member States to show their support for democracy by 
financially contributing to the fund. These contributions will then be 
distributed within the UN Fund for International Partnerships.
  Mr. Annan's perseverance has allowed for international cooperation in 
spreading democracy. So far, twenty-six countries, including the U.S., 
have expressed their support to fund.
  It takes leaders from all over the world to deal with global threats 
and issues. Mr. Annan has taken an important step in holding these 
leaders accountable for doing just that.
  The following CNN article discusses Mr. Annan's reforms and the UN 
Democracy Fund.

                    Annan: Adopt U.N. Reform Package

       United Nations (CNN)--U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan has 
     urged world leaders to reconfigure the international body to 
     reflect the world's population and better enable it to tackle 
     environmental and human rights challenges.
       In the speech he delivered to the general assembly, Annan 
     urged countries to adopt his entire reform package at a 
     summit of world leaders in September.
       The report comes five years after the Millennium 
     Declaration, in which the United Nations pledged to slash 
     poverty rates around the world by 2015, and six months before 
     a summit in New York to address achieving that goal.
       Annan described his plan--which gives equal weight to 
     development, security and human rights--as a comprehensive 
     strategy.
       ``Specifically, I ask developing countries to improve their 
     governments, uphold the rule of law, combat corruption and 
     adopt an inclusive approach to development,'' Annan said.
       The report, years in the making, comes days before Paul 
     Volcker is expected to issue a report on Annan's handling of 
     the corrupt oil-for-food program in Iraq. But Annan denied 
     that there was any link.
       Volcker, a former Federal Reserve chairman, began leading 
     an independent probe of the program for the United Nations 
     almost a year ago.
       Annan's proposal establishes a specific charitable goal for 
     prospering nations. By 2015, he wants developed countries to 
     spend .7 percent of their gross domestic income on official 
     development assistance.
       And he linked prosperity and the environment. ``Our efforts 
     will be in vain if they are resolved by continued degradation 
     of the environment and depletion of natural resources.''
       Annan said he wants the Kyoto Protocol extended beyond its 
     2012 expiration.


                        Security Council shifts

       Annan's proposals include a recommendation to expand the 
     15-member Security Council to 24 to make it more 
     representative of today's ``geopolitical realities.''
       He recommends three, non-permanent seats with two-year 
     terms and six new permanent seats--two from Africa, three 
     from Asia and one from Latin America. None would have veto 
     rights.
       ``Five out of the six will come from regions and areas that 
     are under-represented.''
       Those seats would be in addition to the permanent seats the 
     United States, Britain, France, Russia and China hold.
       Annan also proposed strengthening its human rights 
     mechanisms by abolishing the Commission on Human Rights and 
     replacing it with a smaller, standing Human Rights Council.
       Among other changes Annan requested were:
       Creating a ``Democracy Fund'' with contributions from 
     member states to provide money and technical assistance to 
     countries seeking to establish or strengthen their democracy.
       Asking all member states to sign and implement a 
     comprehensive convention on terrorism, ``based on a clear and 
     agreed definition'' of the term.
       Strengthening the rule of law, human rights and democracy 
     and clarifying when the use of force is necessary.
       Reforming the secretariat to make it more transparent, and 
     buying out some employees and replacing them with staffers 
     who have the skills necessary to implement his proposals.
       Pursuing the establishment of a worldwide early warning 
     system for natural disasters.
       ``What's needed now is not more declarations or promises, 
     but action,'' Annan said. ``I believe my report provides a 
     clear program of action.''

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