111th Congress - H.R. 2410:

Foreign Relations Authorization Bill

Important Legislation For Solving International Problems

H.R. 2410 The Foreign Relations Authorization Act, FY 2010-2011

Many of the issues and problems that face our nation today are bigger than the United States alone and require cooperation with other countries to achieve solutions. Cooperation is a tool for getting things done. Working with international organizations and other countries multiplies our individual strengths, expands our options, and shares our costs and risks. The United States has a long history in developing, promoting, and leading international organizations to serve our purposes and help us face our challenges.

The Foreign Relations Authorization Bill released by Chairman Howard Berman for fiscal years 2010 and 2011 is a pragmatic step forward for U.S. engagement with the international community. The Bill includes important legislation for:

1. Paying back our dues and arrearages to the United Nations and other international organizations, as well as synchronizing our payments so that they are received at the first of the year for which they apply;

2. Reauthorizing and expanding the Global Peace Operations Initiative (GPOI);

3. Paying our share of international peacekeeping activities, as well as increasing our logistical support for such missions; and

4. Developing our capacity for early warning and genocide prevention to combat situations where mass atrocities against civilians occur.

Contribution to International Organizations

Section 102 of the Bill authorizes $1.797 billion to "carry out the authorities, functions, duties, and responsibilities in the conduct of the foreign affairs of the United States with respect to international organizations." This is an increase in funding from the $1.354 billion allocated in FY 2009 that will have a positive impact on the ability of international organizations to carry out their mandates. The cooperative approaches afforded by International Organizations such as the United Nations, NATO, the International Atomic Energy Agency, and the Organization of the American States make the world more secure for future generations.

Synchronization of Payments to the U.N.

Section 404 requires the President to transmit a plan for the implementation of section 404 of the Foreign Relations Authorization Act of 2003, which called for the U.S. to initiate a process to synchronize the payment of its assessments to the United Nations and other international organizations over a multiyear period so that the United States can resume paying its dues to such international organizations at the beginning of each calendar year. This resynchronization would ensure that the United Nations has sufficient funding throughout the year without having to engage in unsound or irresponsible budgetary practices.  An amendment was added to the bill which requires that for the next two years, the President must report all monetary contributions to the entire UN system each fiscal year by U.S. department or agency.

Contribution to International Peacekeeping Activities

Section 102 of the Bill authorizes the appropriation of $2.26 billion to "carry out the authorities, functions, duties, and responsibilities of the United States with respect to international peacekeeping activities." Complementary to these provisions, the creation of a public diplomacy reserve corps will supply the world with well-trained leaders and sound decision makers to support peacekeeping initiatives.

For far too long, the lack of air assets in the south of Sudan has exacerbated the difficulties facing U.N. peacekeepers. Section 1109 urges the United States to provide tactical and utility helicopters as soon as possible to the United Nations mission in Darfur. It also requests that the President contact heads of state throughout the world to ask them to contribute.

Expansion of the Global Peace Operations Initiative

In Section 1109, the Bill authorizes the funding and expansion of the Global Peace Operations Initiative (GPOI). The activities that GPOI is authorized to carry out include: training and equipping peacekeepers, with a particular focus on Africa; enhancing the capacity of regional and sub-regional organizations to plan, train for, manage, conduct, sustain and obtain lessons learned from peace support operations; providing transportation and logistics support for deploying peacekeepers; developing a cached equipment program to procure and warehouse equipment for use in peace operations globally; and financing the refurbishment of helicopters in preparation for their deployment to United Nations peacekeeping operations or to regional peacekeeping operations which have been approved by the United Nations Security Council.

An amendment was also added declaring the prevention of the use of child soldiers to be a United States foreign policy goal.

Genocide Prevention and Early Warning Capabilities

Section 1002 requires a report "no later than 180 days after the date of enactment of the Act" outlining the State Department's specific plans for the development of a government-wide strategy for preventing genocide and mass atrocities against civilians. The creation of an early warning capacity that will allow information-sharing, contingency planning, and coordination of effort will greatly increase the ability of the United States to take part in the maintenance of global peace and security

The need for such action comes from the December 2008 Report of the Genocide Prevention Task Force, co-chaired by former Secretary of State Madeline Albright and former Secretary of Defense William Cohen. The report "offers a valuable blueprint for strengthening United States capacities to help prevent genocide and mass atrocities." It also finds that specific training and staffing will enhance the diplomatic capacities of the Department of State to help prevent and respond to threats of genocide and mass atrocities.

Establishment of a Multilateral Diplomacy Cone in the Foreign Service

Section 402 requires that the Secretary of State will provide a report "evaluating whether a new cone should be established for the Foreign Service that concentrates on members of the Service who serve at international organizations and multilateral institutions." This idea is based on the finding that the United States maintains a large number of missions both at home and abroad that deal primarily with international and multilateral organizations. The findings suggest that the State Department may benefit from developing persons with specialized skills to participate in this unique form of diplomacy.

Global Cooperation on Environmental Issues

An amendment established the Global Clean Energy Exchange Program.  This program was created to strengthen research, education and international cooperation on the development and use of clean energy technologies.