The Global Peace Operations Initiative: Background and Issues for Congress
Abstract
The Bush Administration has requested $95.2 million in FY2008 funds for the Global Peace Operations Initiative (GPOI), a multilateral, five-year program with planned U.S. contributions of some $660 million from FY2005 through FY2009. Its primary purpose is to train and equip 75,000 military troops, a majority of them African, for peacekeeping operations by 2010. GPOI also provides support for the Center of Excellence for Stability Police Units (CoESPU), an Italian training center for gendarme (constabulary police) forces in Vicenza, Italy. In addition, GPOI is promoting the development of an international transportation and logistics support system for peacekeepers, and is encouraging an information exchange to improve international coordination of peace operations training and exercises in Africa. In June 2004, G8 leaders pledged to support the goals of the initiative. Congress has tended to view the concept of the GPOI program favorably, but the 109th Congress balked at providing funding for a number of reasons: a lack of a strategic plan and evaluation program, perceived laxness in management, and a sense of a less than full commitment to the program by State Department, among others. The State Department has taken some steps to remedy these perceived shortcomings. Other issues may prove most salient in the 110th Congress (particularly whether GPOI funds should be provided for future support for CoESPU, whether the GPOI program is meeting its goals, and whether GPOI is too Africa-centric).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 11, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA479900
Entities
People
- Nina M. Serafino
Organizations
- Library of Congress