Washington, D.C. — As Congress nears recess, all money for peackeeping missions in Africa remain zeroed out of a U.S. House of Representatives appropriations bill for fiscal year 2001 that provides $498 million dollars for United Nations peacekeeping missions around the world. "It's just outrageous," said a spokesperson for New York Congressman Joseph Crowley, who is circulating a letter asking members to restore the funding for Africa.
U.S.funding is critical to peace in Africa and U.S. security interests, the letter argues. "To facilitate the growth of democratic ideals and economic development, the U.S. must also support the UN's efforts to achieve peace."
The House measure is a reduction of the Clinton administration's original request of $738 million. That request earmarked $250 million for Africa but strong sentiment among the Republican leadership was against any peacekeeping funds for Africa. At one point during the appropriations discussion, Congressman Harold Rogers - who chairs the key House Approriations subcommitee: Commerce, Justice, State, the Judiciary and Related Agencies - is reported to have said of Africa, "There is no peace to keep."
Representative Rogers' office has denied this, saying the Congressman's reference was to Sierra Leone, not Africa. Until recently, however, the Congressman was opposed to any peacekeeping funds for Africa. A year ago Sierra Leone was a "shambles", a spokeperson in Rogers' office said, but "there appear to be hopeful changes" in recent months and in Ethiopia and Eritrea, so now the Congressman is prepared to agree to some peacekeeping money.
What that amount will be is still unsettled. House and Senate conferees are meeting now to discuss a final appropriations bill and compromise on peacekeeping funds. The Senate version of the appropriations legislation reduces the administration request to $500 million, but provides $161 million for African peacekeeping. Most observers believe it will be much less than the Senate figure. "Of course that's more than zero," said one aide.
Says APIC/Africa Fund Director Salih Booker of the resistance to funding African peacekeeping: "It just goes to show the double standard that exists when it comes to Africa."
