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US/UN RELATIONS & LEGISLATION
 "Just
as the United States took the lead in forging the consensus that led to the
creation of the United Nations … we believe the United States, in its own
interests, must lead the organization toward greater relevance and capability in
this new era."
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and Former Senate Majority
Leader George Mitchell
The Hyde UN Reform Act of 2005
 On
June 17, 2005, the House of Representatives passed the Hyde UN Reform Act of
2005 (H.R. 2745), by a vote of 221 to 184. The legislation, which was proposed
by Rep. Henry J. Hyde (R, IL) and co-sponsored by Mike Pence (R, IN), stipulates
requirements for reform in
the United Nations for the next two to three years. The bill’s most
controversial sections are based upon three main provisions:
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The U.S. will be mandated to withhold 50% of its dues to
the UN unless the UN implements 39 reforms detailed in the Act by 2007.
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The Act would require changing funding for several UN
programs from an assessed to a voluntary basis; As many as 17 organizational
programs would see their funding cut in half pending their shift to
voluntary funding including:
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Protection of and Assistance to Refugees |
Palestine Refugees |
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Economic and Social Affairs |
Crime prevention and Criminal Justice |
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Least-Developed Countries |
International Drug Control |
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Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island
Developing States |
Economic and Social Development in Africa |
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Environment and Human Settlements |
Regular Program of Technical Cooperation |
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International Trade Center UNCTAD/ WTO |
Economic and Social Development in Latin America and the Caribbean |
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United Nations Support for the New Partnership for
Africa's Development |
Economic and Social Development in
Asia and the Pacific |
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Trade and development |
Economic Development in Europe |
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The Act will prohibit the expansion or creation of any
new peacekeeping missions until specific reforms have been implemented,
separate from the 39 reforms demanded within the next two years.
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The Coleman-Lugar Bill
 On July 12, 2005, Senators Norm Coleman (R-MN) and Richard Lugar (R-IN)
introduced S.1383, the United Nations Management, Personnel, and Policy Reform
Act of 2005. Their bill seeks “urgent and essential institutional reform at the
United Nations”, demands periodic checks on the status of the reform process and
requires the President to report to Congress annually on the implementation of
reforms enumerated in the bill. If the President has determined that the United
Nations is not making sufficient progress in implementing such reforms, the
Coleman-Lugar bill authorizes the President to withhold 50 percent of U.S.
annual contributions to the UN.
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The Gingrich-Mitchell Panel Report on UN Reform
 In December 2004, Congress called for a 12-member bipartisan taskforce, headed
by former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and former Senate Majority Leader George
Mitchell, to review prospects for reform of the United Nations. The report of
the Taskforce, "American Interests and UN Reform," is a balanced and thoughtful
analysis of the UN's current challenges and presents constructive
recommendations including:
- Preventing Genocide & Human Rights Abuses
The report takes a strong stance on Darfur, urging the United States to
assemble a package of assistance with NATO for the deployment of a larger
African Union presence and the establishment of a “no-fly” zone over Darfur.
- Development and Humanitarian Assistance
The World Health Organization (WHO) take the leading
role in combating infectious diseases.
United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) lead global efforts for child survival
and against hunger & nutritional deficiency diseases.
- Preventing and Ending Conflicts
A permanent office would identify states on the verge of collapse, provide
assistance to prevent such collapses, and sustain the efforts of the
international community in post-conflict peacebuilding.
The report recommends that the Bush Administration step up training efforts
for African troops through the Global Peace Operations Initiative (GPOI)
announced at last year’s G8 (Group of Eight) meeting.
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