PRESS RELEASE: Citizens for Global Solutions Applauds Passage of Peacekeeping Payments

For Release June 19, 2009

Citizens for Global Solutions Applauds Passage of Peacekeeping Payments

Washington, DC - Citizens for Global Solutions applauds the payment all U.S. debt to the United Nations accumulated since 1999.  The 2009 Supplemental Appropriations Bill was passed by both chambers of Congress and appropriates $906 million for peacekeeping.

“$906 million sends a strong message from Congress and the President that the United States wishes to positively engage with the United Nations,” said Don Kraus, CEO of Citizens for Global Solutions.  “After several years of late U.S. payments and underfunding, we are clearly entering a new era.  President Obama is delivering on his commitment to restore U.S. leadership through diplomacy.”

The amount appropriated for peacekeeping represents less than 1% of the bill’s total. This highlights how relatively little it costs the United States to fund multi-national peacekeeping missions compared to unilateral actions.

“As a permanent member of the Security Council, the U.S. has voted for and supported all 16 ongoing peacekeeping missions,” said Kraus.  “It is critical that we are now paying our fair share.”

The legislation includes $721 million for U.N. peacekeeping assessments and $185 million for voluntary non-U.N. peacekeeping activities to assist missions in Somalia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and in the Sinai.   It pays back all of the U.S. debt to the U.N. accumulated since the Helms-Biden legislation was passed in 1999.   Of the arrears to the U.N., $175 million stems from the legislative cap on peacekeeping contributions, the other $546 million is a result of prior year shortfalls for peacekeeping missions.

In addition to the repayment of U.N. arrears, Citizens for Global Solutions is also pleased with other sections of the bill including:

• Almost $1.4 billion for international food, refugees and disaster assistance to alleviate suffering caused by the global economic crisis, natural disasters, changing climate patterns and civil strife.
• An expansion of credit lines to the International Monetary Fund by $100 billion to allow it to better increase stability within the global economy, particularly in developing countries.
• $50 million to support global efforts to track, contain, and slow the flu pandemic.
• $55 million for nuclear non-proliferation, and
• $1 billion for the “Cash for Clunkers” program to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

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  Citizens for Global Solutions is a grassroots organization which envisions a future in which nations work together to abolish war, protect our rights and freedoms, and solve the problems facing humanity that no nation can solve alone. This vision requires effective democratic global institutions that will apply the rule of law while respecting the diversity and autonomy of national and local communities.