05 November 2003
Peacekeeping Issues Among Highest U.N. Priorities, Holliday Says
Bush nominee for U.N. post testifies at Senate confirmation hearing
In the post-September 11 world, neither the United States nor the international community "can afford failed states. There is no question that the world needs effective and focused peacekeeping now more than ever," says Stuart Holliday, who has been nominated by President Bush to be Alternate Representative to the United Nations for Special Political Affairs.
During his appearance before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee November 5, Holliday said that if he is confirmed by the Senate for the U.N. position, "peacekeeping issues will be a major part of my responsibilities, in addition to advancing the U.S. Mission's work in other key areas such as counterterrorism and nonproliferation."
Committee Chairman Richard Lugar noted in his opening remarks that if confirmed, Holliday, who currently serves as the State Department's Coordinator of International Information Programs, "would be one of the primary U.S. liaisons with the U.N. Security Council ... [and therefore] would be an important player in building international support for U.S. priorities, including the war on terrorism, international peacekeeping, and disarmament."
"Peace operations --- conducted through the U.N. and otherwise --- can contribute greatly to denying terrorist groups new venues from which to operate," said Holliday, which underscores "the importance of our working to strengthen the U.N.'s capacity to plan and manage these vital efforts." Holliday described the Brahimi report on peacekeeping reforms as a "very effective start," and noted that peacekeeping operations "have already begun to be strengthened" as a result of the report "and the efforts of the United States."
Reiterating the Bush administration's commitment to "effective, efficient peacekeeping operations", Holliday said three principles would guide his review of such operations: "whether there is a clear objective; whether a peacekeeping mission is the appropriate mechanism to achieve the ends; and whether the mission can be achieved and the operation can be ended."
When asked about the prospects for the U.N. Security Council in light of its newest members, Holliday said that the United States is "cautiously optimistic" adding that Washington already has a strong rapport with many of the new members. He also said the U.S. is pleased that Algeria is replacing Libya in the seat designated for North Africa.
In regard to U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan's review of the Security Council as part of his reform agenda, Holliday said that the United States is open "to looking at a new composition -- particularly given the financial contributions of countries like Japan and Germany." He added, however, that the United States would only formulate its position once it reviewed the recommendations that come forward following the review.
When asked how U.S. public diplomacy efforts might improve the perception of U.S. objectives at the United Nations, Holliday responded that he hoped to utilize his experience in the world of public diplomacy to address "the critical perception gap that exists." He described the United Nations as "a wonderful forum for both listening and explaining [U.S.] policies in a clear fashion with context." He also noted that the recent passage of U.N. Resolution 1511 -- which outlines a broad political, economic and security framework for Iraq -- demonstrates that the United States can use "this forum effectively as a public diplomacy mechanism in addition to its obvious role as a deliberative body."
On another note, Lugar expressed the Committee's concern about the recommendation from U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations John D. Negroponte to close the U.N. office in Washington, D.C. after this fiscal year. Lugar said the office has played a vital role in linking Congress to the issues being addressed at the United Nations. Holliday noted that the recommendation had come about as part of a broader budgetary review. Acknowledging the importance of a robust communication channel between Congress and the United Nations, Holliday promised to look into the status of the issue as well as to work to make sure the flow of information between the two bodies remained strong.
Following is the text of Holliday's prepared testimony:
(begin text)
STATEMENT OF STUART HOLLIDAY, NOMINEE FOR ALTERNATE REPRESENTATIVE FOR SPECIAL POLITICAL AFFAIRS TO THE UNITED NATIONS
SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE
WASHINGTON, DC
NOVEMBER 5, 2003
Mr. Chairman, members of the Committee, I am honored to appear before you today as President Bush's nominee to be the Alternate Representative for Special Political Affairs to the United Nations. I am grateful to President Bush for my nomination and to Secretary Powell and Ambassador Negroponte for their confidence. I am particularly appreciative of the consideration this Committee is demonstrating to those of us appearing before you today by holding this hearing at this busy time.
My interest in public service and international affairs began right here in the Senate during two summers as an intern to the late Senator Henry M. Jackson. This -- and my upbringing as the son of a Foreign Service officer -- led to studies and ultimately a career in the international arena. I had the honor of serving in the Navy at the end of the Cold War, working for democratic reform in the developing world, developing policy in several presidential campaigns, and most recently filling challenging positions in the Bush Administration in both the White House and the Department of State. I look forward to continuing to serve the cause of advancing America's interests in the world should I be fortunate enough to be confirmed.
President Bush proclaimed October 24, 2003 as United Nations Day. He wrote in the proclamation, "As an original signatory of the United Nations Charter, the United States continues to advance the United Nations' founding principles. We are working with the United Nations to reduce conflicts around the world, fight terrorism, abolish trafficking in persons, and support those in need, including the people of Afghanistan and Iraq as they continue to build free and stable countries."
If confirmed, I will help represent the United States at the United Nations Security Council. Peacekeeping issues will be a major part of my responsibilities in addition to advancing the U.S. Mission's work in other key areas such as counterterrorism and nonproliferation.
In the post-September 11 world, neither we nor the international community can afford failed states. There is no question that the world needs effective and focused peacekeeping now more than ever. Beyond the fact that peacekeeping operations promote regional stability, there is a correlation between failed states and the potential for terrorists to find safe havens where they can mount activities that threaten innocent lives. One only has to look at Afghanistan to understand the risks. Peace operations -- conducted through the U.N. and otherwise -- can contribute greatly to denying terrorist groups new venues from which to operate. That underscores the importance of our working to strengthen the U.N.'s capacity to plan and manage these vital efforts.
The notion of reform is a focus of discussions at the U.N. this year. While a broad range of issues are being considered, peacekeeping operations have already begun to be strengthened as a result of the Brahimi report and the efforts of the United States. I believe that the U.N.'s capability to implement peacekeeping operations can be further improved and will work to further their implementation and strengthen effective reform wherever possible. I would stress three guiding principles that will guide my review of peacekeeping operations: whether there is a clear objective; whether a peacekeeping mission is the appropriate mechanism to achieve the ends; and whether the mission can be achieved and the operation can be ended.
The importance of the peacekeeping function is evident. In the nearly 58 years since the United Nations Charter was signed, there have been at least 202 conflicts around the world, involving some 114 nations. More than 27 million people have perished as a result. The United Nations has been called on to assist in resolving 60 of these conflicts, with some interventions obviously proving more successful than others.
An essential element in determining the potential effectiveness of U.N. peace operations is understanding what they can and cannot do. Making promises that cannot be kept, raising expectations to unrealistic levels and overextending the capacity of the United Nations to deliver are not the way to bring the prospect of peace to a country ravaged by conflict, or to strengthen the U.N. or the Security Council.
The Administration is firmly committed to effective, efficient peacekeeping operations that support our national interests. The burden is not the United States' alone. The Administration encourages other countries to assume responsibility as well. We also encourage other countries to develop their own capacities and provide direct assistance whenever possible. When the goals of the mission are achieved, it should be concluded. The U.N. missions in Bosnia, on the Prevlaka Peninsula, and on the Iraq/Kuwait border all ended in the last 12 months. I am committed to working closely with the Congress in ensuring the effectiveness and efficiency of U.N. peacekeeping operations.
Africa is currently a particular focus for U.N. peacekeeping operations. U.N. peacekeeping there has served U.S. national interests. Without United Nations forces on the ground the bloodshed in Sierra Leone would have not only continued, but could potentially have spread far beyond its borders. The U.N. peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has helped to achieve withdrawal of the foreign armies from the DRC, is working to disarm and demobilize rebels, and is supporting the fledgling transitional government. In Liberia, a new mission deployed at the beginning of October is helping to end twenty years of bloody conflict in this impoverished nation.
If I am fortunate enough to be confirmed for this position, I will be available to you and your staffs to consult and communicate on issues of interest to you and the Committee. I will work vigorously to advance the agenda of the United States at the United Nations in helping this important organization live up to the vision for security and prosperity and dignity enshrined in its Charter.
(end text)
(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
This page printed from: http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2003&m=November&x=20031105180002alretnuh0.9293482&t=usinfo/wf-latest.html
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