The United States wishes to make an interpretative statement under paragraph IV.1(A) 6 of the Rules of Procedure of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
In joining consensus on a rollover of the Scales of Contributions, the United States has made no commitment to any increases in the U.S. contribution beyond this period. Furthermore, when the Scales of Contribution are opened up, the United States will insist on going down on both the Helsinki and Vienna scales.
Permanent Council Decision No. 408, adopted in 2001, established a 14 per cent ceiling for the field operations (Vienna) scale. The logic behind that ceiling remains valid, and we see no reason for changing it. We recall the significance of the concept of shared responsibilities (for both the Helsinki and Vienna scales) during the forty years since the Helsinki Accords were signed and intend to participate in discussions on that basis. Moreover, it remains our view that all criteria applied to these scales remain of equal weight.
The United States requests that this statement be recorded in the journal of the day.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
As delivered by Ambassador Daniel B. Baer to the OSCE Permanent Council, Vienna
