H. RES. 27 - UNITED NATIONS PEACEKEEPERS RESOLUTION OF 2001

Introduced July 16, 2001 in the House by Rep. Wynn [D-MD] ). H. R. 194. Cosponsors.

This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the United Nations should establish a permanent standing UN security force of up to 15,000 volunteers who are trained and equipped for rapid deployment for not to exceed six months in international peacekeeping operations pursuant to a Security Council resolution. H.Res. 194 urges the President to instruct the U.S. Ambassador to the UN to encourage efforts to establish such a force.

Resolution

Concerning the establishment of a permanent United Nations security force.

Whereas, since 1948, the United Nations has established 53 peacekeeping operations, 15 of which are ongoing;

Whereas on May 3, 1994, President Clinton issued a presidential decision directive (PDD 25) stating that properly conceived and well executed peacekeeping operations are a useful element in serving the United States interests and that the primary objective of the United States Armed Forces is to be prepared to fight and win two simultaneous regional conflicts;

Whereas international peacekeeping operations are a useful tool to help prevent and resolve regional conflicts before they pose a direct threat to United States national security;

Whereas international peacekeeping operations serve the interests of the United States by promoting democracy, regional security, and economic growth;

Whereas on February 23, 1999, United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan stated, `It is sadly clear that the need for United Nations peacekeeping will continue and, indeed, will probably grow. And it is very much in America's national interest to support an international response to conflicts, even those which seem remote, because, in today's interconnected world, they seldom remained confined to one country or even one region. Take Rwanda for example. The failure of the international community to respond effectively led not only to genocide in Rwanda itself, but also to the exodus of refugees and combatants across the borders. Because we failed to act in time, seven countries are now fighting each other in a mineral-rich region which should have been a prime area for investment and development. Is this something the United States can afford to ignore?;

Whereas United Nations efforts in Cambodia led to an election protected by peacekeepers, the return of hundreds of thousands of refugees, and the end of a destabilizing regional conflict;

Whereas United Nations sponsored elections in El Salvador helped to end a long and bitter civil war;

Whereas United Nations supervision of Namibia's transition to independence removed a potential source of conflict in strategic southern Africa and promoted democracy;

Whereas United nations operations in Cyprus have prevented the outbreak of war between two NATO allies;

Whereas United Nations operations in the Golan Heights have helped to preserve peace between Israel and Syria; and

Whereas international peacekeeping operations have proven invaluable over the years in deterring conflict and war throughout the world: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved,

Section 1. Short Title

This Resolution may be cited as the `United Nations Peacekeepers Resolution of 2001'.

Section 2. Establishment of Security Force

It is the sense of the House of Representatives that the United Nations should establish a permanent standing United Nations security force as follows:

(1) The United Nations security force should be composed of not more than 15,000 volunteers from the United Nations member countries, who are recruited, trained, employed, and compensated directly by the United Nations.

(2) The United Nations security force should be trained and equipped specifically for rapid deployment in international peacekeeping operations conducted under chapter VI or VII of the United Nations Charter. Rapid deployment of such a force means the capacity to deploy to an affected region within 21 days of the enactment of a United Nations Security Council resolution authorizing deployment. The period of deployment of the United Nations security force should be limited to a maximum of six months.

(3) The United Nations security force should be deployed only under the authority of a resolution of the United Nations Security Council. The commander in chief of the United Nations security force should be the Secretary General of the United Nations.

Section 3. Instructions to the Ambassador

The House of Representatives urges the President to instruct the United States Ambassador to the United Nations to encourage efforts in the United Nations to establish such a permanent United Nations security force.

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