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BURDEN$HARING
WEALTHY ALLIES ARE NOT DEPENDENTS END
THEIR MILITARY WELFARE...NOW!!
May 14, 1996
Representatives Barney Frank, Christopher Shays,
Richard Gephardt, and Fred Upton sent the following letter to all the Members of the House
of Representatives asking for support for their Burdensharing amendment to the Fiscal Year
'97 National Security Authorization.. The amendment was passed by the house by a vote of
353 to 62 on May 15 , 1996
Dear colleague:
During the debate on last year's National Security Authorization, the House decided to
stop subsidizing the defense of our wealthy European allies by requiring European
countries to pay
for their fair share of the cost of maintaining U.S. troops in Europe. In a year of tough
fiscal choices, we must continue to send this message to all our wealthy Allies. The
Shays-Frank-
Upton-Gephardt-Dellums-Martini-Furse amendment to the Fiscal Year 1997 National Defense
Authorization Act calls on our allies to take one or more of four actions:
-gradually increase to 75% contributions towards the nonpersonnel costs incurred by
U.S. military forces; or
-increase the percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) spent on defense by 10% or
at least to a level equal to that of the U.S.; or
-increase their foreign assistance by 10% or at least to a level equal to that of the
U.S.; or
-increase their contribution of military assets to multilateral military activities.
In the past, Congress has been successful in pressuring our allies to increase their
burdensharing contributions. In fact, in 1990 the United States negotiated a Host-Nation
Support Agreement with Japan which required Japan to pay 75% of the non-salary costs for
U.S. troops by 1995. Currently, the Japanese contribute 77% to the non-personnel
costs for the stationing of U.S. troops in their country -- a contribution which
represents a $4.2 billion savings to the American taxpayer. However, Japan only spends
1.1% of its GDP on defense, while the U.S. spends 4.7% of its GDP on defense or a whopping
$256 billion more. This amendment represents an important step towards rectifying this
imbalance. Our European allies have also not been responsible, contributing less than 25%
towards non-personnel costs, most of which are in-kind
contributions. Under our amendment, wealthy allies will be encouraged to meet a gradual
increase of payments for nonpersonnel costs by the year 2000.
The President is also authorized to take actions, such as reducing troops or rescinding
bilateral aid, in order to achieve these goals. The amendment gives the President a host
of options with which to pressure our allies because of the unique relationships and
security interests we have with different countries. Moreover, both the Department of
Defense and the Department of State support this effort. Congress has debated this issue
for many years and has passed amendments encouraging our allies to contribute. Yet,
progress has been too slow and too inadequate. In a year when the Congress is asking
American taxpayers to tighten their belts, it is only fair and reasonable to ask our
wealthy allies to do the same.
We ask for your support of the Shays-Frank-Upton-Gephardt-Dellums-Martini-Furse
amendment.
signed by:
BARNEY FRANK -- CHRISTOPHER SHAYS
RICHARD GEPHARDT -- FRED UPTON
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