Even the administration has admitted that there would be no effective controls on how the Contras used the funds. even if the President pledged that the funds would only be used for humantiarian purposes. Therefore. instead of funding the Contras and their war against Nicaragua. this resolution would place the United States on the side of the Contadora group of nations that have been working for 3 years toward a peaceful solution of the conflicts in Central America. House Joint Resolution 247 would provide $10 million for refugee assistance in Central America. to be distributed only by the Red Cross or the United Nations refugee agency. This ensures that the Contras will not receive aid and prevents the distribution of aid by the Central Intelligence Agency. which has actively aided the Contras for years. The Barnes resolution would also apply pressure to the Sandinista government by explicity stating that future congressional decisions on aid to the Contras. and in foreign aid to Nicaragua. will take into account the behavior of the Sandinistas.