The President's FY 2006 International Affairs Budget
Secretary Condoleezza Rice
Statement before Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign
Operations & Related Programs
Washington, DC
May 12, 2005
(2:15 p.m. EDT)
Thank you, Chairman McConnell, Mr. Leahy, Honorable Members of the Committee, I appreciate the opportunity to address
the Committee at this time of challenge, hope and opportunity for America, and for the world. And I look forward to
working with the Congress to build a strong bipartisan consensus behind America's foreign policy and to ensure that the
men and women of American diplomacy have the resources they need to conduct their vital mission.
The President's FY 2006 International Affairs Budget for the Department of State, USAID and other foreign affairs
agencies totals $33.6 billion.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Members of this Committee for their support and leadership in the
passing the FY 2005 Emergency Supplemental. This urgently needed funding will support immediate political, economic,
humanitarian, and operational needs that will allow us to meet new challenges - and seize new opportunities - to build a
better, safer, and freer world.
The supplemental international affairs funding of $5.8 billion will ensure that we are able to respond speedily and
effectively to the needs of our steadfast coalition partners in the War on Terror, to newly elected governments in
Afghanistan, Iraq, the Palestinian territories and Ukraine who need our stabilizing assistance to move forward with
reforms, to those seeking democracy assistance in Belarus and Lebanon, and to the men, women and children uprooted by
war, as in Sudan, or swept up in natural disasters, such as the recent East Asia tsunami. The supplemental funds will
also cover the extraordinary security and support costs of operating our current embassy in Baghdad, and the
construction of a secure new embassy compound for our mission, as well as $60 million for the security and operations of
our embassy in Kabul.
Now, if I may, Mr. Chairman, I will begin my testimony on the FY 2006 Budget Request with an overview of President
Bush's foreign policy mission, which we seek this Committee's support to advance.
In the long term, as President Bush said, "The only force powerful enough to stop the rise of tyranny and terror, and
replace hatred with hope, is the force of human freedom." Through diplomacy, the United States can create new
possibilities for freedom and fresh hope across the globe. We must deal with the world as it is, but we do not accept it
as it is. In places like Afghanistan and Ukraine, Iraq and the Palestinian territories, Lebanon and Georgia, people's
desire for freedom and a better future is redefining what many thought possible in these societies.
President Bush has charged the men and women of the Department of State with helping to create a balance of power in
the world that favors human liberty, and that is exactly what we are doing. Together with our democratic partners around
the world, we are advancing a forward strategy of freedom.
Our cooperation with international partners is dramatically evident in Afghanistan, where last month I saw first-hand
the progress that country has made towards stability, reconstruction, and democracy. The Presidential election last year
was an inspiration to the world. Next September, Afghanistan's citizens, men and women alike, will again go to the
polls, this time to elect a parliament. Afghanistan still faces many challenges, including the narcotics trade that
could undermine its strides on so many fronts. We are committed to a comprehensive counter-narcotics strategy and a
long-term reconstruction strategy because we believe in the future of a new, democratic Afghanistan an Afghanistan that
is no longer a haven for terrorists and tyrants, but a partner in security and freedom.
To build on the positive momentum in Afghanistan, President Bush has requested nearly $1.1 billion in total U.S.
funding, including $956 million in foreign assistance support. This money will be used to invest in security, health,
education, clean water and free market infrastructure, which together create conditions for sustained growth,
opportunity, and to continue the fight against drugs.
This is also a very important year for Iraq, as the Iraqis write their constitution and hold national elections in
December. When President Bush traveled to Europe in February, he and his counterparts not only turned the page on Iraq,
they wrote a new chapter. All 26 NATO allies are now contributing to the NATO Training Mission in Iraq. The European
Union announced its willingness to co-host an international conference with the United States to encourage and
coordinate international support for Iraq. We have followed up on this initiative with the European Commission, the
European Parliament, EU Member States, other countries around the world, and the Iraqi Government. Today, in the midst
of a tough security situation, Iraqis at all levels -- from the town council in Fallujah to the President of the country
-- are engaging in the democratic process and they need and deserve our support.
For Iraq, President Bush has requested $457 million of support for FY 2006, including $360 million to continue work
already begun under the Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund. These monies would be targeted towards helping the new
Iraqi leadership create a functioning democracy and a justice system governed by the rule of law. This funding also will
help the Iraqi government deliver basic services to its people, collect revenues, generate jobs and develop a free
market system capable of joining the global economy.
We and our democratic allies are putting the power of our partnership to work not only in Afghanistan and Iraq, but all
across the Broader Middle East and North Africa. Efforts to encourage democratization, economic reform, the growth of
civil society and opportunity for all through education are critical to shaping a stable and prosperous future for this
strategically important region. Recognizing this, through the G-8 we have established the Forum for the Future -- a new
partnership between the democratic world and nations of this vast region, and we are committed to ensuring that the
Forum plays a central role in advancing indigenous reform efforts in this vast region extending from Morocco to
Pakistan.
In early March in London, I participated in an important conference of major donors, including regional states, to help
the Palestinian people advance their political, security and economic reforms and build infrastructure for
self-government. The World Economic Forum in Jordan is expected to give further impetus to political and economic reform
in the region.
The path of reform in the Broader Middle East will be difficult and uneven. Freedom's work is the work of generations.
But it is also urgent work that cannot be deferred.
From Morocco to Bahrain to Afghanistan, we are seeing new protections for women and minorities, and the beginnings of
political pluralism. We have seen an opening toward broader participation in the first-ever municipal elections in Saudi
Arabia. President Mubarak announced Egypt's intention to open up competition in Egypt's presidential elections. In the
Palestinian territories and in Iraq we have witnessed remarkably free and successful elections. And in Lebanon we have
witnessed the dramatic popular demonstrations for freedom and against the continued manipulation of the government and
politics by outsiders.
The will of the people of Lebanon to make their own decisions and throw off the mantle of oppression is clear. The
people of Lebanon have an enormous opportunity to bring about peaceful change with elections. We and many others support
them by insisting on the withdrawal of all foreign forces from Lebanon, as required by UN Security Council Resolution
1559, and by supporting free and fair elections.
In support of these hopeful trends across the region toward freedom and democratic government, the FY 2006 budget
request proposes enhanced funding for diplomatic and assistance activities in the Middle East, North Africa and other
countries with significant Muslim populations. The request includes $120 million for the Middle East Partnership
Initiative for reform, $40 million for the National Endowment for Democracy to expand efforts to promote democracy in
the Broader Middle East and North Africa region, $180 million for Muslim outreach through educational and cultural
exchanges, and increases for a wide range of other public diplomacy and broadcasting initiatives geared toward Muslim
publics, particularly young people.
Of course, the process of reform in the broader Middle East is not detached from what must happen between the Israelis
and Palestinians toward realizing President Bush's vision of an independent Palestinian state living side-by-side in
peace with the State of Israel.
The Palestinian elections, and the Israeli withdrawal plan for Gaza and parts of the West Bank, have created a unique
opportunity for peace. In fact, when I met with both Prime Minister Sharon and President Abbas they had the same opening
line: This is an opportunity for peace we must not miss.
President Bush has announced an additional $350 million to help the Palestinians build infrastructure and sustain the
reform process over the next two years, including the $150 million in the FY 2006 budget. I'd like to thank the Congress
for supporting the President's efforts by providing the $200 million included in the FY 2005 Supplemental. This is an
important show of support for President Abbas. Our FY 2006 budget request also contains $2.5 billion in assistance to
Israel, which continues our longstanding strategic partnership and supports regional democracy and security.
Even as we work with allies and friends to meet the great challenge of advancing freedom and peace in the broader
Middle East and North Africa, we will seize other important opportunities to build a world of peace and hope.
For example, the US-led global war on terrorism has put Pakistan and India on the same side against extremism. We have
de-hyphenated our relationship with Pakistan and with India, building strong, independent ties with each. At the same
time that our relations with India have been moving forward we have the best relations with Pakistan that perhaps we
have ever had, deepening our cooperation with Pakistan in the war on terrorism, supporting President Musharraf's
modernization efforts and the liberalization of Pakistan's economy.
During my March trip to Pakistan and India, on behalf of President Bush I congratulated both countries for the steps
they have taken toward warmer relations with each other. In Islamabad, I discussed the need to chart a democratic path
for Pakistan, including the holding of national elections in 2007. With India, the world's largest democracy, we are
cooperating on a global strategy for peace, and on defense, energy and growth. A few weeks ago, India's Foreign Minister
met with President Bush and they discussed ways we might accelerate our cooperation still further and we look forward to
a July visit by Prime Minister Singh.
The future of Asia is very dynamic. Our alliances and relationships in Asia starting with our critical strategic and
economic ties with Japan -- will be profoundly important in creating a stable, prosperous, democratic region and world.
Much of Asia's dynamism comes from an emerging China whose economy has become an engine of regional and global growth.
This new factor in international politics requires us to incorporate China more fully into the global system.
We are working with China in context of its WTO commitments to address outstanding concerns related to that ongoing
integration effort, particularly on issues such as intellectual property rights, financial sector reform and improved
market access.
We believe that we and our allies and friends can help foster an environment in which a rising China acts as a positive
force. We want China as a global partner, able and willing to match its growing capabilities to its international
responsibilities. And we believe that China must eventually embrace some form of open, genuinely representative
government if it is to realize the full talents of the Chinese people and fully reap the benefits and meet the
challenges of a globalizing world.
Last month, I participated in the NATO Ministerial meeting, held for the first time in Lithuania, one of NATO's newest
members. I just accompanied President Bush on his visit to another new NATO ally, Latvia, where he had a very positive
and constructive meeting with the leaders of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. The expansion of the North Atlantic alliance
to 26 members including the three Baltic states marks the further advance of democracy and freedom throughout Europe.
From Riga, we stopped in Maastricht, Netherlands, to pay tribute to those who served and sacrificed in the Second World
War and to those who are standing with us today in defense of democracy and freedom in places like Iraq and Afghanistan.
From The Netherlands, the President and I traveled to Russia to mark the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II.
The visit and ceremonies in Moscow were an opportunity to thank those who so bravely fought for the victory over
fascism. President Bush continued his dialogue with President Putin about U.S.-Russian relations and about Russia's
future. In his recent State-of-the-Union address, President Putin stressed his commitment to democracy and we look
forward to seeing how his words get translated into deeds. President Bush also met with civil society leaders and
emphasized that a democratic, vibrant, prosperous Russia is in everyone's interests.
We then went to Georgia, where we witnessed the enthusiasm of a new democracy first hand. And President Bush
underscored to President Saakashvili our support for the independence, territorial integrity and strengthening of that
young democracy.
The seeds of democracy in Georgia, which truly blossomed from the Rose Revolution of November 2003, served as an
inspiration a year later to those in Ukraine who refused to accept a stolen election. The political transformation
within Ukraine has meant a new dynamic in Ukraine's relationship with the U.S. and our allies. At the NATO Ministerial
last month, the alliance extended an invitation to Ukraine to begin an Intensified Dialogue on Membership Issues,
raising NATO's cooperation with Ukraine to a new level. All of us welcomed the new leader of Ukraine, Viktor Yushchenko,
to Washington. We recognize that he has a lot to do to reform his country, and we have a strong interest in ensuring the
success of a democratic Ukraine.
In Kyrgyzstan, the change of government precipitated by popular discontent over election fraud and government
corruption will be followed by new presidential elections July 10. These elections offer Kyrgyzstan the opportunity to
establish new democratic benchmarks for Central Asia. Working closely with our OSCE partners, we will provide assistance
to ensure the elections are conducted freely and fairly. Beyond the elections, we look forward to working with a
legitimately elected government to establish the basis for prosperity and stability for Kyrgyzstan and the region.
Several weeks ago, I visited Brazil, Colombia, and El Salvador and took part in the Community of Democracies Meeting in
Santiago, Chile. Our efforts in the hemisphere, in Africa and across the developing world are designed to help
strengthen fellow democracies so that they can deliver the benefits of democracy to their citizens and help them escape
poverty. Our policy is also guided by the principle that leaders who are elected democratically have a responsibility to
govern democratically. We are working in partnership with developing nations to fight corruption, instill the rule of
law, and create a culture of transparency that will attract the trade and investment crucial to poverty reduction.
At the Monterrey Summit in 2002, all nations agreed that economic growth is essential to fighting poverty, and that
development assistance works best when it goes to countries that adopt growth-oriented policies. This concept underlies
the President's revolutionary Millennium Challenge Account initiative. We seek $3 billion for the third year of the
Millennium Challenge Corporation, which helps countries that govern justly, adopt sound economic policies and invest in
the welfare of their people. We also seek $2.4 billion in development, child survival and health assistance. The FY 2006
Budget exceeds the President's 2002 commitment for overall growth in core development assistance by requesting a total
of $19.8 billion, $8.2 billion more than in 2002.
We will also help countries enhance their capabilities to protect their citizens from traffickers and terrorists.
Our FY 2006 request includes $735 million for the Andean Counter Drug Initiative to consolidate gains made in recent
years in eradication, interdiction and alternative development.
We are requesting $5.8 billion in assistance to our front-line partners in the global war on terror. Through the
provision of equipment and training, this assistance will help give military, police and other security forces the tools
they need to destroy terrorist cells, disrupt terrorist operations, strengthen border controls, and prevent attacks.
This assistance will also help advance economic growth and democratic reform, providing new opportunities for their
citizens and addressing the hopelessness that terrorists seek to exploit. The request includes $698 million for
Pakistan; $559 million for Colombia; $462 million for Jordan; $213 million for Kenya; and $159 million for Indonesia.
When they engage effectively, multilateral institutions can multiply the strength of freedom-loving nations. We are
requesting $1.3 billion in support for the multilateral development banks, with which our bilateral assistance missions
partner abroad to reinforce effective economic reform strategies. In addition, we are seeking $100 million in debt
relief for the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries initiative, an effort we are pursuing in concert with the G-7, other key
lending countries, and the international financial institutions. We are requesting nearly $1.3 billion for U.S.
obligations to 47 international organizations, including the United Nations, and a little over $1 billion to pay
projected U.S. assessments for UN peacekeeping missions. And we are seeking $114 million to enhance the peacekeeping
capabilities of non-UN forces, with a particular focus on Africa.
We are encouraged by the African Union's leadership in addressing conflicts across the continent, specifically its
mission in Darfur. The African Union military commanders in Darfur are doing vital work in providing security for
millions of displaced people. We welcome the AU's decision to double the size of its Darfur mission to enhance its
ability to protect civilians, and we appreciate your help through the Supplemental to support this expanded mission. We
fully appreciate the urgency of the situation and we encourage the AU's consultations with NATO on potential logistical
assistance that would enable the AU forces to expand quickly and sustain their operations.
Meanwhile, we are doing all we can to ensure that the displaced people get the basic humanitarian supplies they need
until such time as secure conditions are established that enable them to return to a normal life. And we are pressing
for prompt implementation of the North-South Comprehensive Peace Agreement, because that accord creates a possible
political framework for resolving conflicts in Darfur and other regions of Sudan. At the same time, we are working to
orchestrate an international message to the Government of Sudan: They are responsible for conditions in Darfur and must
cooperate to stop the killing and create a path for peaceful reconciliation.
Thanks to Congress's strong backing, last month at the Oslo Donors' Conference to support the peace agreement, we were
able to pledge $853 million to help Sudan in FY 2005. Most recently in the Supplemental, Congress provided additional
support to help meet the needs of implementing the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in the south of Sudan and keep
humanitarian supplies flowing to Darfur. I thank you for your generosity and look forward to further strong
congressional support for Sudan through the FY 2006 Budget. Given the enormity of the humanitarian, security, and
political challenge, your continued backing is critical.
Sudan is but one, terrible example of the broader challenge we face. Chaos, corruption and cruelty reign can pose
threats to their neighbors, to their regions, and to the entire world. And so we are working to strengthen international
capacities to address conditions in failed, failing and post-conflict states. President Bush has charged us at the State
Department with coordinating our nation's post-conflict and stabilization efforts and we are asking for $24 million in
operating funds for the new Office of the Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization housed in the Department. I
also appreciate the $7.7 million Congress has provided in supplemental funds for start-up and personnel costs for the
Office of the Coordinator. The FY 2006 budget proposes a $100 million Conflict Response Fund to quickly address emerging
needs and help deploy trained and experienced civilian personnel immediately to an unstable region.
The United States must stay at the forefront of the global campaign against HIV /AIDS, providing half of the global
assistance to fight this scourge. The President is requesting $3.2 billion in total U.S. funding for care, treatment and
prevention efforts. We will demonstrate the compassion of the American people in other ways as well. Through our
continued support of international and non-governmental organizations, we will ensure that America remains the world's
most generous food and non-food humanitarian assistance provider. We seek $3 billion in food aid and famine relief and
non-food humanitarian assistance, including support for fragile states.
In all of these endeavors, the primary instrument of American diplomacy will be the dedicated men and women of the
Department of State. We would welcome your help as members of the full committee in ensuring that our people are well
equipped for the challenges ahead in terms of training, technologies and safe workplaces. Secretary Powell and his team
made important progress in these areas and we must build on the foundation they established.
We are requesting $1.5 billion for security-related construction and physical security and rehabilitation of U.S.
embassies and consulates, and $690 million to increase security for diplomatic personnel and facilities. We have a
solemn obligation to protect the people of our diplomatic missions and their families, who serve at our far-flung posts
in the face of a global terrorist threat.
We must strengthen the recruitment of new personnel. We are seeking $57 million for 221 new positions to meet core
staffing and training requirements. And as we seek out new talent, we also seek to further diversify our workforce in
the process. We send an important signal to the rest of the world about our values and what they mean in practice when
we are represented abroad by people of all cultures, races, and religions. Of course, we also must cultivate the people
we already have in place by rewarding achievement, encouraging initiative, and offering a full range of training
opportunities. That includes the training and support needed to make full use of new technologies and tools, and we are
asking for $249 million for investment in information technology.
Public diplomacy will be a top priority for me, as I know it is for this Committee, and the FY 2006 request includes
$328 million for activities to engage, inform and influence foreign publics. America and all free nations are facing a
generational struggle against a new and deadly ideology of hatred. We must do a better job of confronting hostile
propaganda, dispelling dangerous myths, and telling America's story. In some cases, that may mean we need to do more of
what we are already doing, and in other cases, it may mean we need new ways of doing business.
If our public diplomacy efforts are to succeed, we cannot close ourselves off from the world. We are asking for $931
million to improve border security and for an increase of $74 million over FY 2005 for educational and cultural exchange
programs, bringing the total to $430 million in FY 2006. We will continue to work closely with the Department of
Homeland Security to identify and prevent terrorists and other adversaries from doing harm, even as we maintain the
fundamental openness that gives our democracy its dynamism and makes our country a beacon for international tourists,
students, immigrants, and businesspeople. We will keep America's doors open and our borders secure.
Mr. Chairman, Members of the Committee, this time of global transformation calls for transformational diplomacy. More
than ever, America's diplomats will need to be active in spreading democracy, reducing poverty, fighting terror and
doing our part to protect our homeland. And more than ever, we will need your support if we are to succeed in our vital
mission for the American people.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would be pleased to answer any questions that you and the other distinguished Committee
Members may have.
2005/508
ENDS