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CGS Urges Congress to “Stand Firm” on UN Peacekeeping Appropriations
On May 23rd, Citizens for Global Solutions, along with a diverse group of 33 additional organizations, urged lawmakers tasked with producing the final version of the FY06 Supplemental Appropriations bill (H.R. 4939) to maintain $129.8 million in funding included for UN peacekeeping to help pay for a new UN mission to Darfur and to address the current shortfall in U.S. contributions to UN peace operations.
The groups asked Congress to "stand firm" and preserve the amount, included in both House and Senate versions of the legislation, in a letter sent to the 47 House and Senate members who will participate in the conference committee for the emergency spending bill.
The committee was originally expected to complete its work prior to the Memorial Day recess, ending June 2nd, but this deadline has recently been postponed. A final bill will likely be returned to both chambers of Congress for a vote before being sent to the President for his signature some time next week.
Citizens for Global Solutions sees it as especially important that the United States uphold its peacekeeping commitments at this time. The US has accrued a 521 million-dollar shortfall in peacekeeping contributions that needs to be addressed. And with the UN on the verge of taking over peacekeeping responsibilities in Darfur, it is more important than ever that the United States honors its funding commitments. It is our sincere hope that the Committee members will recognize the importance of this moment and uphold the peacekeeping appropriations in the final version of the Supplemental bill.
