Peacekeeping and Conflict Transitions: Background and Congressional Action on Civilian Capabilities

Publication Date: September 2006

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: International relations

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Abstract:

The State Department's new Office of the Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization (S/CRS) is intended to address longstanding concerns, both within Congress and the broader foreign policy community, over the perceived lack of the appropriate capabilities and processes to deal with transitions from conflict to sustainable stability. These capabilities and procedures include adequate planning mechanisms for stabilization and reconstruction operations, efficient interagency coordination structures and procedures in carrying out such tasks, and appropriate civilian personnel for many of the non-military tasks required. Effectively distributing resources among the various executive branch actors, maintaining clear lines of authority and jurisdiction, and balancing short- and long-term objectives are major challenges for designing, planning, and conducting post-conflict operations.

Established in July 2004, S/CRS is establishing the basic concepts, mechanisms, and capabilities necessary to carry out such operations. Currently working with a staff of under 40, most detailed from other agencies, S/CRS has taken steps to monitor and plan for potential conflicts, to develop the first phase of a rapidresponse crisis management capability, to improve interagency and international coordination, to develop interagency training exercises, and to help State Department regional bureaus develop concepts and proposals for preventive action.

The first session of the 109th Congress has moved cautiously in funding S/CRS and its activities. It provided $7.7 million of the requested $17.2 million in FY2005 supplemental appropriations requested by the Administration (H.R. 1268, P.L. 10913). The Administration's FY2006 budget request included $24.1 million for the creation of 54 new S/CRS positions and the establishment of a 100-person readyresponse cadre. The House Appropriations Committee report earmarked $7.7 million for S/CRS, allowing 33 new positions, in State Department appropriations (H.R. 2862, H.Rept. 109-118), but the conference version (H.Rept. 109-272, P.L. 109-108) did not designate specific funding, leaving the decision on the funding level up to the State Department. Congress turned down the Administration's FY2006 request for $100 million in foreign operations appropriations funds for a Conflict Response Fund, but did provide transfer authority for purposes of the fund in the FY2006 Department of Defense authorization act (Section 1207, H.R. 1815, P.L. 109-163).

For FY2007, the Administration has requested $9.5 million in State Department funds for S/CRS activities and foreign operations appropriations of $75 million for the Conflict Response Fund (CRF). Thus far in 2006, neither the House nor the Senate Appropriations Committee has funded the CRF. The full Senate has yet to act. On May 26, 2006, the Senate passed S. 3322, which would give statutory status to S/CRS, making the position of Coordinator subject to Senate advice and consent. It would also authorize the creation of a civilian Response Readiness Corps, consisting of active duty and reserve components. Regarding funding, it would authorize $80 million for activities all purposes of the Act (including support of S/CRS and the active duty component), as well as $75 million for a conflict response fund, a third of which is intended to establish the reserve component.