PUBLIC POLICY UPDATE September 14, 2012 WASHINGTON UPDATE Budget and Appropriations During this current and

very brief preelection session, Congress is expected to pass a six six-month continuing resolution (CR) that would fund the government through March 27, 2013, since none of esolution March the individual appropriations bills have been passed. It provides a small (0.612%) bump in most %) federal spending accounts over fiscal year (FY) 2012 levels and is a generally clean CR, in that it includes very few changes to spending levels or other law. With this CR agreed to in principle, talk has already begun to turn to passing another CR in March to fund the government for the remainder of FY2013. On Thursday, the House voted 329 2013. 329-91 to pass the CR. The Senate is expected to take up the bill as early as next Wednesday. Meanwhile, Sequestration looms in the distance, with automatic spending cuts of about 8 8% (though estimates vary) due to begin on January 2, using the CR spending levels as the basis. No serious movement on averting Sequestration is expected before the election, though rumors abound that a lame duck Congress may delay its onset or change it altogether. Some Republicans have been pushing for legislation to protect the Defense budget from Sequestrations impact, but Democrats have balked at that, saying that any bill to address the issue must address , the all accounts and not just Defense. On Thursday, the House passed HR 6365 with a vote of efense. 223-196. This GOP-backed legislation is largely symbolic and would require the president to backed require submit a report detailing a plan to replace Defense cuts under Sequestration with other cuts. The Senate is not expected to take up the bill. The White House expects to release a report detailing the cuts under Sequestration on Friday. Party Platforms Both parties approved their 2012 platforms at the conventions held over the past few weeks. Below you will find a brief summary of each partys platform on foreign assistance as well as a assistance, link to both platforms in their entirety. The 2012 Democratic platform recognizes promoting global development as a strategic, economic and moral imperative. To this end, the platform outlines a new strategy toward sub subSaharan Africa focusing on promoting economic growth and development, and providing robust trade and investment support to the continent. The platform does not consider delivering aid to be sufficient for promoting development. Therefore the platform addresses a plan to help Therefore, countries reach the point at which they no longer need foreign assistance, specifically pointing to ountries Feed the Future as an example of this approach. The platform also outlined a strategy to address international humanitarian crises, particularly by providing both short- and long-term recovery aid. term The platform plans to promote democracy and human rights worldwide by speaking out for universal rights, bolstering fragile democracies and civil society, and supporting the dignity that comes with development. Specifically, the platform mentions the presidents continuing support ecifically, of democratic transitions in Egypt, Libya, Yemen and Tunisia, and promises to work to end the Assad regime in Syria. The platform also stresses climate change as a threat to all nations a and especially developing countries, acknowledging that the change wrought by a warming planet will lead to new conflicts over refugees and resources as well as new suffering from drought and 1

famine. It argues for reducing worldwide emissions and helping developing countries alleviate the effects of climate change. The 2012 Democratic platform can be found in its entirety here. The 2012 Republican platform describes Americans as the most generous people in the world in terms of both dollars and volunteer hours. The platform commits to promoting the peaceful development of less advanced or vulnerable societies as a way to protect American interests and as an alternative to military engagement. This investment and aid should follow the model of the Millennium Challenge Corporation, which requires countries to adhere to the rule of law and free enterprise in order to receive assistance. The platform also outlines a plan to combat human trafficking and modern-day slavery, and calls for increased diplomatic efforts with foreign governments to root out complicit public officials who facilitate or perpetrate this evil. It continues by welcoming refugees from troubled lands who are in some cases people who stood with us [the United States] during dangerous times. The platform praises PEPFAR and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria as programs that save millions of lives and represent Americas humanitarian commitment to the peoples of Africa. The platform also promises to strengthen the personal and commercial ties between the U.S. and African nations. In the platforms domestic section, it also states that conservation is a conservative value, and it believes in the moral obligation of people to be good stewards of the God-given natural beauty and resources of our country. The 2012 Republican platform can be found in its entirety here. UPCOMING HEARINGS Hearing: Examining the Role of Rwanda in the DRC Insurgency Committee: House Foreign Affairs Committee Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Human Rights Witnesses: Johnnie Carson, assistant secretary of state of the Bureau of African Affairs, U.S. Department of State Earl Gast, assistant administrator of the Bureau of Africa, USAID Bishop Ntambo Nkulu Ntanda, United Methodist Church of North Katanga, Democratic Republic of the Congo Mark Schneider, International Crisis Group When: Wednesday, Sept. 19, 10:00 a.m. Where: 2172 Rayburn House Office Building Hearing: Markup/Nomination Committee: Senate Foreign Relations Committee Agenda: Markup Votes on nominations: o Richard Olson to be ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan o Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy, D-Vt. and Sen. Johnny Isakson, RGa., to be a representatives of the United States of America to the Sixty-seventh Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations o Foreign Service lists: William R. Brownfeld, Kristie Anne Kenney and Thomas Alfred Shannon, Jr., for the personal rank of Career Ambassador in recognition of especially distinguished service over a sustained period When: Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2:15 p.m. Where: S-116, U.S. Capitol Contact: 202-224-4651 http://foreign.senate.gov 2

Hearing: The Future of U.S.-Egypt Relations Committee: House Foreign Affairs Committee Witnesses: State Department officials TBA When: Thursday, Sept. 20, 10:30 a.m. Where: 2172 Rayburn House Office Building Contact: 202-225-5021 http://foreignaffairs.house.gov Hearing: Safeguarding Israels Security in a Volatile Region Committee: House Foreign Affairs Committee Witnesses: Elliott Abrams, Council on Foreign Relations James Phillips, The Heritage Foundation When: Thursday, Sept. 20, 2:00 p.m. Where: 2172 Rayburn House Office Building Contact: 202-225-5021 http://foreignaffairs.house.gov HEARING SUMMARIES Assessing U.S. Policy on Peacekeeping Operations in Africa House Foreign Affairs Committee Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Human Rights September 13, 2012 Witnesses: Dr. Esther D. Brimmer, assistant secretary of state for international affairs, U.S. Department of State Johnnie Carson, assistant secretary of the Bureau of African Affairs, U.S. Department of State

Opening Statements: Chair Christopher Smith (R-NJ) U.S. government contributes more than $1 billion annually for African peacekeeping: o $1.6 billion for FY2012; o The hearing today will allow us to examine the effectiveness of peacekeeping operations in Africa. The two issues of peacekeeping operations being questioned are planning and execution: o This is especially important as the Mali operation is in the planning stage. Sex trafficking and sexual exploitation and abuse of local women and girls by UN peacekeeping personnel is a serious concern. Ranking Member Karen Bass (D-CA) We need to acknowledge the tremendous benefits of peacekeeping operations: o There is a serious need in Sudan; o UN peacekeeping operations are eight times less expensive than funding U.S. troops; o Despite budget cuts, now is not the time to cut back, especially with the situation in Mali. 3

To address sexual exploitation, there must be training programs for UN personnel.

Johnnie Carson Though many African countries have progressed, they are still fragile, especially Somalia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan and South Sudan. There are some crucial things that the UN and the U.S. need to do: o U.S. government needs to focus and strengthen African peacekeeping on regional, subregional, and national levels; o The five brigades of the AUs African Standby Force cannot reach their full capacity without external support. Somalia is the best demonstration of the valuable role that African peacekeeping operations can play: o The African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) has been operating for five years now; o Troops have paid a high price in lives and national treasure; o Despite this, the progress has been remarkable. There are several challenges facing the national and regional forces in Africa; o There is a lack of resources including medical facilities, logistics, transportation and even salaries; o There is a lack of capacity to undertake complex plans. Dr. Esther D. Brimmer UN peacekeeping is a critical tool to help bring stability to countries coming out of conflict and to keep conflict out: o The operations are critical in supporting new states such as South Sudan and elections; o In addition, these missions are cost-effective with over 70% of the annual cost of UN peacekeeping operations being paid by the rest of the world. Today, about half of UN peacekeeping operations and three-quarters of blue helmets are in Africa: o Key operations are in Sudan, South Sudan, Darfur, Liberia, Cte dIvoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Somalia; o Operations in Africa today have complex mandates with Chapter 7 authority to use force to maintain peace. No two missions are the same, and there are critical challenges in each operation: o The protection of civilians is a core task; o Peacekeepers need to prevent sexual and gender based violence; o Missions need to focus on supporting the rule of law and transitioning to a new government; o The UNs zero tolerance of sexual exploitation and abuse policy needs to be implemented; o There needs to be strong leadership in the regions and encouragement for more women to be included in missions; o Management of the operations needs to reflect the current economic climate. Questioning: Chair Christopher Smith (R-NJ) 1. What are the unmet needs of current UN peacekeeping operations?

Brimmer o Deputies look at peacekeeping operations to see what needs arent covered so we can better tailor the operation to fit the needs of the region. 2. In regards to the situation in Somalia, what peacekeeping operations have worked? Carson o For the first time since the late 1990s, there is a government in place with a firm foundation and legitimacy. There is a new constitution, new parliament, new speaker and new president. Africa recognizes that the instability in Somalia is a threat to them and the international community, so progress has been achieved. This also led to the deaths of top al-Qaeda members in East Africa. 3. The record of protection of civilians has been less than stellar. How robust are the efforts to change this? Brimmer o Over the past generation, there has been a more robust use of force to protect civilians as missions have gone to more difficult places. 4. In regards to the human trafficking and sexual exploitation problem, what kind of training are peacekeepers given? Brimmer o We work bilaterally with other countries to help train. We see what their curriculum is like and also learn from their discipline. For example, there was an incident where Uruguayan troops were brought home so they could be tried since the UN cannot. The situation and consequences vary depending on if the accused is military, police or civilian personnel. 5. Do the African Standby Forces have a severe lack of readiness? When will they be deployable? Carson o None of the forces are considered fully ready. This is mostly because of their inward focus on the Arab Spring. Some of the forces show capacity, but they require a huge amount of external aid. 6. Is there a peacekeeping mission that needs to be established in Africa? Carson o Mali is a possibility of subregional work. It is in very early planning stages, but it would need to be well resourced and planned. Brimmer o There needs to be a focus on finding the right tool for each specific situation. Most of the missions focus on counterterrorism and security issues, but in some situations maybe a political operation would be better. 7. UN peacekeeping is hazardous work. There are deaths and wounded personnel. Is there a PTSD component associated with peacekeeping personnel? What could we do to better assist the injured? Brimmer o There is a need for more medical units, the right helicopters for quicker transportation and more women to work for civilians. There are also resource gaps. There will be a follow up with more statistics. Ranking Member Karen Bass (D-CA) 1. What happens when individuals who committed sex crimes get caught? Brimmer

First, it depends on the country that these individuals are from. It also depends on if they are part of the military, police or civilian personnel. Sometimes police personnel are included with military, but other times they are separate. In regards to civilians, it depends on who they are working for. Pakistan actually flew a judge out to Haiti when there was an issue. 2. Why is the cap of Congress to the U.S. budget to the United Nations considered arbitrary? Brimmer o Regularly the U.S. pays 22% of the total budget, but the members of the UN Security Council pay an additional amount. It also depends on the relative economic strength of the state, so in the coming years the rates for Russia and China will increase. 3. We want to send our condolences to everyone at the State Department for the recent tragedy. Could you please comment on the situation? Carson o As a department and a nation, we are deeply troubled by what has happened. There are different and complex reasons to possibly explain why this tragedy happened. The region is in transition and greatly troubled. While there is a greater openness for democracy, there are also fragile new governments who have weak control over their security services. This could have been a well-planned terrorist attack based on political problems. o

ARTICLES AND REPORTS Al Jazeera Sep. 11: Iraq Execution Spree under the Spotlight There has been a large jump in the number of state-sanctioned executions in Iraq, with the government reporting 96 people executed so far this year and 196 more still on death row. The condemned are often brutally tortured. Human rights organizations worry that the government is using the death penalty as a means to eradicate opponents. Foreign Policy Sep. 10: Syrian Cyber War Rages On A pro-Assad group of hackers known as the Syrian Electronic Army are continuing to infiltrate news organizations and propagate false stories. Al Jazeera, Reuters, and Amnesty Internationals blog have all been hacked by the group, which has sent tweets and posted untrue news stories as a retaliation against what they see as the Wests support of the armed rebel forces. Inter Press Service Sep. 12: Polygamy Throttles Women in Senegal Polygamous marriages are on the rise in urban areas of Senegal and are often forced unwillingly upon young women. These women are married off very young and are afforded no rights by the Senegalese government. Although Senegal enacted a gender parity law in 2010, activists say that no progress has been made in womens emancipation. IRIN Sep. 13: Thailand: Activists Call for Greater Refugee Protection Activists are calling for greater protection and rights for refugees and asylum seekers, saying that the Thai government has inadequate refugee laws which put these people at risk of abuse and detention. Under the current law, refugees in Bangkok can be detained and deported at any time, 6

and many other asylum seekers (of which there are 50,000) are not allowed to leave the refugee camps. New York Times Sep. 12: Libya Attack Brings Challenges for U.S. The United States ambassador to Libya, J. Christopher Stevens, and three of his staff members were killed at the American consulate in Benghazi on Sept. 11. The assault, coming on the eleventh anniversary of 9/11, was in reaction to an anti-Islamic short film mocking the Prophet Muhammad. Disclaimer: Articles linked in the Update are intended to provide a dashboard view of newsworthy and topical issues from popular news outlets that will be of interest to readers of the Update. The articles are an information sharing vehicle rather than an advocacy tool. They are in no way representative of the views of InterAction or the U.S. NGO community as a whole.