U.N. Ambassador Rice Lays Out America's Role In Global Peacekeeping Operations

By Mariko Lamb - Talk Radio News Service

Ambassador Susan Rice, U.S. Representative to the United Nations, described challenges facing the UN’s 15 peacekeeping operations in conflict areas around the world as well as the U.S.’s role in facing these challenges in her address to the House Foreign Affairs Committee Wednesday.

Key challenges include the rapid demand of riskier U.N. peacekeeping missions, lack of support and capabilities from member states, and lack of stability and legitimacy of host governments after the departure of U.N. forces.

“It will take concerted action by many actors to meet the difficult challenges facing U.N. peacekeeping. It will also take U.S. leadership,” Rice said.

“Increasing the effectiveness and the efficiency of peacekeeping is one of the Obama administration’s highest priorities at the United Nations,” she said. The U.S. is considering direct contribution to U.N. peacekeeping efforts in the form of military observers, military staff officers, civilian police, and other civilian personnel.

The U.S. share of the U.N.’s peacekeeping costs will amount to an estimated $2.2 billion in 2009.

“It is pragmatism and a clear sense of America’s interests that drives us to support U.N. peacekeeping today,” said Rice, adding that “2.2 billion is a lot of money, but the costs of inaction would likely be far greater, both in blood and treasure.”

The Security Council Stakeout on Sudan

Ambassador Susan Rice discussed the situation in Sudan at the Security Council. UNIMID 64% of its authorized strength. There is urgency to get to 100 %. There was a cost free air bridge to the area to get in heavy equipment. The United States welcomes the efforts by the United Nations and the African Union. Agreement signed in Doha is the a first step. UNIMID has had bravery. There is extreme disappointment because of one member state to not give its support to condemning GEM and others. The action of one member state is getting in the way. The United States all rebel groups to join along with Civil Society to join in negotiations. Libya is alone in the security council.

The Sudan Ambassador to the UN was very upbeat about the "landmark" achievement signed in Doha today, The French Government is still holding a rebel leader from joining in the peace progress. The issues related to Darfur are very clear and now the root causes will also be discussed. Our country is fully united behind our President. We will continue to rally behind our president. Peace in Darfur will heal wounds. Many countries are favoring Article 16 but other countries have other views. It is ironic that the US is asking for the ICC (International Criminal Court) but the US is not a member of the ICC.

Obama campaign defends Iraq strategy

The Obama campaign hosted a conference call today with Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.) and Senior Foreign Policy Adviser Susan Rice to discuss Sen. Barack Obama's (D-Ill.) opinion piece in The New York Times today, in which he outlines his strategic plan for success in Iraq.

Biden stated that Obama's plan for Iraq is far more in line with the needs and desires of the military. This was echoed by Rice, who stated that currently our forces are overstretched and our existing military installments in the region are unsustainable. Rice went on to say that McCain's plan calls for Korea-style bases in Iraq that would remain in the nation for an indefinite amount of time.

Biden concluded by stating that he believes there are large terrorist networks requiring the attention of the US residing in both Afghanistan and Pakistan, but not Iraq. As such, withdrawing from Iraq would be extremely important for ensuring that the United States is successful in stopping terrorist threats.

Rice also stated that, contrary to statements from the McCain campaign, Sen. Obama has remained consistent on his strategy for Iraq.