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Washington, D.C., June 12th – Congressman Jim Moran, Virginia Democrat, announces provisions in the FY’08 Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill to combat violence in the Middle East and Africa. The bill passed committee today by a voice vote.
Middle East Peace Funding:
Sponsored by Rep. Moran, a new, $12 million account in the Foreign Operations Appropriations bill has been created that will provide funding for Middle East People-to-People Coexistence Programs. This funding would be provided on a competitive basis to non-governmental organizations working on conflict resolution programs and coexistence programs in the Middle East. Examples of programs that would benefit from the new funding include Seeds of Peace, PRIME, and Peace Players International.
“The U.S. must be a leader in promoting dialogue and peaceful coexistence in the Middle East,” said Moran. “Conflict in the region not only harms our strategic interests -- it is a moral issue that we cannot stand back and idly observe. A lasting Arab-Israeli peace will only be reached if we engage in the region and invest in grassroots efforts to forge understanding. There is a hunger for peace in Middle East, but without our support it will remain unfulfilled.”
African Diplomacy Language:
The African diplomacy language, offered by Moran in subcommittee, was included as report language to the bill. It recommends that the U.S. State Department direct more resources to resolving conflicts and crises in Central and East Africa, particularly in Uganda, Somalia, Sudan, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic, and Eritrea and Ethiopia. Resources would go to assigning more diplomats and field staff to the region.
“Africa faces many challenges; among the most serious are humanitarian conflicts and human rights crises such as genocide in Darfur and the twenty year war in Northern Uganda. So far, the U.S. has failed to respond effectively to these tragedies. As we have learned in Iraq, you cannot force peace and understanding through military might alone. Soft power, in the way of diplomacy, must be employed in equal measures.”
Having passed in committee, the FY’08 Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill is expected to be considered on the House floor next week for a vote.
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