Opinion: Pregnancy prevention is no threat

One of the most successful antiabortion programs operating internationally is the United Nations Population Fund, an agency that underwrites programs in family planning and infant and maternal health in developing countries. It has provided upward of $5-billion for family planning and other services since its founding in 1969. It is estimated that the fund prevented more than 100-million unwanted pregnancies and 44-million abortions between 1990 and 2000.

For some reason, however, antiabortion forces in this country often refuse to see the obvious relationship between preventing pregnancy and reducing abortions. This shortsightedness is threatening a $34-million congressional appropriation earmarked for the program under the recently passed foreign operations bill. One of the most aggressive antiabortion foes in Congress, Christopher Smith, R-N.J., has persuaded President Bush to hold off on releasing the money to UNPF because it operates in China, where forced abortions and sterilizations are still carried out under the country's one-child policy.

As one of his first acts as president, Bush reimposed the global gag rule, thereby blocking international family planning money from going to any group that performed, supported or discussed abortion services. But UNPF does not use its funds to provide abortions or to support any form of coercive birth control. It is a highly regarded program that helps reduce the transmission of HIV and maternal and infant mortality. It also addresses the lack of access to contraceptives in places where mothers are often desperate to restrain the growth of their families.

As for the agency's efforts in China, there is evidence that the government has actually suspended its one-child policy in the areas of the country in which UNPF operates. In a report issued by the State Department, UNPF was described as "doing a good job trying to help China move from an administrative approach to a voluntary approach with their family planning programs." It sounds as though UNPF, far from bolstering China's despicable policies, is a force for countering them.

The provision of international family planning services is just about the best investment our country can make in world stability. Antiabortion forces who can't seem to see that family planning services benefit their own cause should not be allowed to derail the U.S. commitment to this important program.

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