Republican Senator Relents on UN Peacekeeping Funds After Pressure

Strategic Insights -

A significant shift in American foreign policy has occurred following an agreement by Senator Judd Gregg to release $50 million in funds for UN peacekeeping missions in Sierra Leone. The funds were initially blocked by Senator Gregg due to his objections over the Lome accord, a peace agreement signed by combatants in Sierra Leone's eight-year civil war. The accord granted amnesty and a share of power to rebels who had committed atrocities against civilians and given control over Sierra Leone's diamond mines to the rebels and their leader, Foday Sankoh.

The senator's determination to withhold funds from four UN peacekeeping missions, totaling $368 million, has compelled the Clinton administration to reevaluate its foreign policy. Senator Gregg's decision to release $50 million for UN peacekeeping in Sierra Leone comes after a letter from US Ambassador to the UN, Richard C. Holbrooke, clarified American policy and called for disrupting the rebels' hold on Sierra Leone's diamonds. The senator has stated that his actions have given those opposing the Lome accord a chance to "right a terrible wrong" and that the policy has been rejected.

Key Takeaways:

  • Senator Judd Gregg has agreed to release $50 million in funds for UN peacekeeping missions in Sierra Leone, following a letter from US Ambassador to the UN, Richard C. Holbrooke.
  • The funds were initially blocked by Senator Gregg due to his objections over the Lome accord, a peace agreement that granted amnesty and power to rebels who committed atrocities against civilians.
  • The senator's determination to withhold funds from four UN peacekeeping missions has compelled the Clinton administration to reevaluate its foreign policy.
  • The $50 million will be used to support UN peacekeeping efforts in Sierra Leone, with the goal of disrupting the rebels' hold on the country's diamond mines.
  • Senator Gregg's actions have been seen as a shift towards a clearer rejection of the rebels and their role in Sierra Leone.
  • US Ambassador Holbrooke's letter to Senator Gregg outlined a strategy to deal with the illicit diamond trade and the president of neighboring Liberia, Charles Taylor.

Statistics:

  • $368 million: The total amount of funds approved by Congress for UN peacekeeping missions that were withheld by Senator Gregg.
  • $50 million: The amount of funds released by Senator Gregg for UN peacekeeping in Sierra Leone.
  • $1 million: The amount of American funds spent on UN peacekeeping efforts in Sierra Leone.
  • $41 million: The amount of funds still held by Senator Gregg for a fourth mission in Congo.

Sources:

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  • The New York Times
  • Senator Judd Gregg (RSenate.gov)
  • US Ambassador to the UN, Richard C. Holbrooke (UN.org)
  • Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright (State.gov)
  • The White House (Whitehouse.gov)
  • The New York Times (July 1999)