Benjamin Gilman: “Mr. Chairman, I would like to point out in response to the comment by the gentleman from California [Mr. Berman] that…”

“Mr. Chairman, I would like to point out in response to the comment by the gentleman from California [Mr. Berman] that this amendment does not apply to operations like Desert Storm. The amendment extends only to DOD costs related to peacekeeping operations. Desert Storm was a war, not a peacekeeping, peacemaking, peace-enforcing, or similar operation. Desert Storm-type operations in the future are exempted from this amendment by the very definition in the section. I further submit that I recognize that not everyone in this Chamber agrees with the approach that we are suggesting of an in-kind credit proposed by the amendment, but to those who object to that approach, I think it is only fair to ask: What is the alternative solution? How do you propose to pay off the $1 billion peacekeeping arrearages we will have at the end of this fiscal year? And how shall we pay off the $1.8 billion arrearages we may have at the end of next year? So before you reject this amendment's approach, make certain that you have an alternative for finding the money for paying the growing U.N. peacekeeping assessment.”