U.S. Relations with the People's Republic of China (2005)

United States Renews Call for Restructured U.N. Population Fund

Cites congressional ban on U.S. funding for coerced family planning

Following is the text of the State Department announcement:

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
September 17, 2005

STATEMENT BY SEAN MCCORMACK, SPOKESMAN

FY 2005 Funding for the UN Population Fund (UNFPA)

The United States remains firmly committed to women's maternal and reproductive health, as well as to other health programs, including the President's initiative on HIV/AIDS. The U.S. continues to be the world's largest donor of bilateral assistance to help improve the health of women and children. We provide over $1.8 billion this year toward this goal through the USAID Child Survival and Health Programs Fund, approximately $440 million of which is for reproductive health and family planning.

However, our support must always be provided in accordance with U.S. law. For that reason, the State Department notified Congress that the Kemp-Kasten Amendment is applicable again for 2005 funding for the United Nations Population Fund. This decision means that this organization will not receive the $34 million earmarked for its activities by Congress for the current fiscal year.

The Secretary first determined that Kemp-Kasten Amendment restrictions applied to the UN Population Fund in 2002. Since that time, we have continuously called on China to end its program of coercive abortion. We have also repeatedly urged China and the UN Population Fund to restructure the organization's programs in a way that would allow the United States to provide funding. We will continue these consultations. However, since no key changes have taken place, these restrictions are being applied again.

The United States recognizes that the UN Population Fund intends to promote a transition to a voluntary family planning program in China. We are prepared to consider funding the UN Population Fund in the future if its program in China is restructured in a way consistent with U.S. law, or if China ends its program of coercive abortion.

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