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Puck
The Texan
Joined: 05 Jan 2004
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 Sat Jun 18, 2005 6:46 pm U.S. Threatens to Withhold U.N. Dues |
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CNN.com
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House threatens to withhold U.N. dues
From CNN Senior Producer Phil Hirschkorn
(CNN) -- The House of Representatives has approved a measure that would withhold dues from the United Nations unless the world body adopts dozens of reforms.
The bill passed on Friday by a vote of 221 to 184 mostly along party lines in the Republican-controlled House.
A senator said he will introduce the measure in the Senate, where it must pass before going to the White House for the president's approval, but the Bush administration has signaled it does not support such threats.
The reform bill, sponsored by House International Relations Committee Chairman Henry Hyde, R-Illinois, seeks to have the United Nations adopt 39 reforms, and threatens, if the reforms are not adopted within two years, to withhold half of U.S. dues, which amount to roughly one-quarter of the United Nations' operating funds.
Hyde and his supporters argued the financial threat gives some teeth to the U.N. reform bill and asserts Congress' constitutional "power of the purse."
"Most informed people agree that the U.N. is in desperate need of reform," Hyde said during the House floor debate.
"This legislation brings to bear instruments of leverage sufficient to the task, the most important being tying the U.S. financial contribution to a series of readily understandable benchmarks."
The Hyde bill asks the United Nations to streamline its budget and programs with redundant missions, enhance its accountability by creating an independent oversight board and whistle-blower protection, and impose a uniform code of conduct for its peacekeeping forces.
The final bill also included an "oil-for-food" amendment from Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, one of half a dozen congressional panels probing the defunct humanitarian program in Iraq.
The Barton amendment would require an audit of the work being done by the U.N.-appointed investigative committee led by Paul Volcker to disclose its testimony, interviews, documents, correspondence, memoranda, books, papers, accounts, and records related to the program; information about the involvement of any U.N. employee, office or agency; and investigative practices used to support the findings in its final report, which is due this summer.
Unlike the congressional probers, only Volcker has had access to U.N. documents and staff, who have diplomatic immunity from congressional subpoenas.
U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan has proposed his own extensive reform plan for the 191-nation organization and is seeking to build a consensus for change in time for the annual heads-of-state U.N. gathering in September.
In a written statement Friday, Annan spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the secretary-general "believes U.S. engagement and leadership in this process is very important but does not feel that withholding dues is a productive route to achieving reform and indeed that it could jeopardize the outcome of the September summit."
House Democrats such as Tom Lantos, the ranking minority member on the House International Relations Committee, criticized the Hyde bill as as "a guillotine on autopilot" directed at the United Nations. Rep. Bill Delahunt, D-Mass., said, "The take-it-or-leave-it approach does not help."
The State Department has described the threat to withhold dues as "objectionable."
It's wrong on principle. We are a founding member of the United Nations and it hurts our credibility," said a senior State Department official. "While we agree on ends, the disagreement is on means."
Sen. Norm Coleman, who also chairs a subcommittee investigating the oil-for-food program, said in a written statement late Friday that he intends to introduce a Senate version of the U.N. reform bill "to improve U.N. accountability and management."
"The U.S. pays 22 percent of the U.N.'s operating budget, the largest of any county, yet this should not be our only reason for pushing reform," Coleman said.
"At the end of day, we need a credible institution that has ability to lead an international response to global problems like nuclear proliferation, the horrifying spread of HIV-AIDS, economic and political rebuilding in war-torn regions, and worldwide poverty."
CNN State Department Correspondent Andrea Koppel, CNN's Evan Glass on Capitol Hill and Lauren Rivera at the U.N. contributed to this story.
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http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/06/18/un.reform/index.html
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Puck
The Texan
Joined: 05 Jan 2004
Posts: 5596
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| Sat Jun 18, 2005 6:47 pm |
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For once the House is doing something I can go "yay!" over  .
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Theresa
Lux Mihi Deus
Joined: 17 Jun 2001
Posts: 27256
Location: United States of America
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| Sat Jun 18, 2005 6:49 pm |
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| Puck wrote: | | For once the House is doing something I can go "yay!" over . |
"YAY"s, too, 
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Puck
The Texan
Joined: 05 Jan 2004
Posts: 5596
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| Sat Jun 18, 2005 6:50 pm |
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The U.N. won't survive without the U.S., just look at how the EU summit ended up  . So, if they want to stay together, they best get their act together!
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Republican_Man
STV's Premier Conservative
Joined: 26 Mar 2004
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| Sat Jun 18, 2005 10:11 pm |
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| Puck wrote: | | The U.N. won't survive without the U.S., just look at how the EU summit ended up . So, if they want to stay together, they best get their act together! |
Exactly. I am VERY glad that the US government is finally realizing the stupidity of the Un and how the Un is doing nothing good. This is a good threat to get them to actually do stuff. FINALLY!
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Dirt
Exercise Boy
Joined: 19 May 2003
Posts: 2086
Location: a tree
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| Sun Jun 19, 2005 5:02 am |
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Well you can't expect an international organisation like the UN to really make quick decisions I think. So many countries, so many different interests. I think changes should be made, but I would still prefer a "slow" UN over a "rash" UN as long as their decisions are correct and thought well over.
I think stepping out is kind of silly. Because we do need internation collaberation in this world. In my opinion, the UN in it's current form is just a step along the way.
I thought that the US still had some money to cough up to the UN though.
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Theresa
Lux Mihi Deus
Joined: 17 Jun 2001
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Location: United States of America
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| Sun Jun 19, 2005 5:04 am |
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The US initially funded the UN...
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Dirt
Exercise Boy
Joined: 19 May 2003
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| Sun Jun 19, 2005 5:05 am |
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So how does that matter? When you're in debt, you're in debt. I think it's only fair every nation gets the same treatment when it comes to an issue like this.
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Theresa
Lux Mihi Deus
Joined: 17 Jun 2001
Posts: 27256
Location: United States of America
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| Sun Jun 19, 2005 5:11 am |
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Do we really want to talk debt? Besides, most American's want out, and want it out of our country.
Besides, it's all political strategizing anyway.
| Quote: | The United States, the biggest financial contributor to the United Nations, pays a little under 25 percent of the annual $2 billion general budget. That doesn't include money for peacekeeping, international tribunals, or programs like the U.N. Development Program (search) and UNICEF (search), which are funded separately.
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And you're right. Every nation should get the same treatment.
FOX News
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Dirt
Exercise Boy
Joined: 19 May 2003
Posts: 2086
Location: a tree
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| Sun Jun 19, 2005 10:22 am |
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Yes, I read the US actually pays the most. But how much of that money is actually being payed? Considering you already have that deb etc?
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Leo Wyatt
Sweetest Angel
Joined: 25 Feb 2004
Posts: 19045
Location: Investigating A Crime Scene. What did Quark do this time?
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| Sun Jun 19, 2005 10:43 am |
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Dirt, you mean debt not deb 
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madlilnerd
Duchess of Dancemat
Joined: 03 Aug 2004
Posts: 5885
Location: Slough, England
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| Sun Jun 19, 2005 2:05 pm |
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So America is quitting the UN? I see a conflicted horizon. Why can't we all just get along?
This means that America no longer has to abide by the UN child rights or any other UN human rights, and now America is even less likely to do anything about climate change.
Why is everyone suddenly being so selfish?
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Dirt
Exercise Boy
Joined: 19 May 2003
Posts: 2086
Location: a tree
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| Sun Jun 19, 2005 2:08 pm |
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Everybody is just getting all heated up because of the climate madlilnerd.
and lol deb.
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Republican_Man
STV's Premier Conservative
Joined: 26 Mar 2004
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| Sun Jun 19, 2005 5:51 pm |
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| madlilnerd wrote: | So America is quitting the UN? I see a conflicted horizon. Why can't we all just get along?
This means that America no longer has to abide by the UN child rights or any other UN human rights, and now America is even less likely to do anything about climate change.
Why is everyone suddenly being so selfish? |
It's not a matter of getting along, or being selfish. It's a matter of the Un being pointless and useless and anti-American, that's all.
And keep both sides coming! The CX debate for Novice season is on the US giving more support to the Un..,
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"Rights are only as good as the willingness of some to exercise responsibility for those rights- Fmr. Colorado Senate Pres. John Andrews
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Lord Borg
Fleet Admiral
Joined: 27 May 2003
Posts: 11214
Location: Vulcan Capital City, Vulcan
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| Sun Jun 19, 2005 6:50 pm |
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| madlilnerd wrote: | So America is quitting the UN? I see a conflicted horizon. Why can't we all just get along?
This means that America no longer has to abide by the UN child rights or any other UN human rights, and now America is even less likely to do anything about climate change.
Why is everyone suddenly being so selfish? |
That dont mean that the US would stop enforceing/following human rights. 
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Link, the Hero of Time
Vice Admiral
Joined: 15 Sep 2001
Posts: 5581
Location: Kokori Forest, Hyrule
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| Sun Jun 19, 2005 8:24 pm |
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| Lord Borg wrote: |
That dont mean that the US would stop enforceing/following human rights. |
No it would just mean that no one would back us up. Not to mention we would be viewed as a threat to peace.
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Puck
The Texan
Joined: 05 Jan 2004
Posts: 5596
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| Sun Jun 19, 2005 9:23 pm |
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| madlilnerd wrote: | So America is quitting the UN? I see a conflicted horizon. Why can't we all just get along?
This means that America no longer has to abide by the UN child rights or any other UN human rights, and now America is even less likely to do anything about climate change.
Why is everyone suddenly being so selfish? |
Why don't we ask Kofi Annan and everyone else who belongs to the Un who was involved in gaining money from illicit deals made under oil-for-food .
And gosh, I don't really give a damn if we owe the UN anything. I don't see why we should pay dues to a corrupt organization that is desperately needs reform, and also, doesn't really do anything but "condemn" things it doesn't like .
Last edited by Puck on Sun Jun 19, 2005 9:39 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Theresa
Lux Mihi Deus
Joined: 17 Jun 2001
Posts: 27256
Location: United States of America
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| Sun Jun 19, 2005 9:39 pm |
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| Quote: | Over the past year, the number of U.N. peacekeepers has nearly tripled, from 13,000 to 35,000. The cost of deploying them has risen proportionately, from $1 billion in 1999 to about $2.7 billion in 2000, said Joseph Connor, head of the UN's department of management. Under a UN formula that many in Congress believe is unfair, the United States is billed for 30.2 percent of peacekeeping expenses, far more than any other country. Congress passed legislation in 1995 that bars the US government from paying more than 25 percent. The difference has added to Washington's debt to the United Nations, more than $900 million by the U.S. count and $1.6 billion by UN calculations.
Congress also wants to lower the U.S. share of the UN's administrative budget from 25 percent to 22 percent. Under a bipartisan compromise fashioned by Sens. Jesse Helms (R-N.C.) and Joseph R. Biden Jr. (D-Del.), America's repayment of $926 million in arrears is conditioned on the UN's willingness to reduce Washington's obligations.
Moreover, the United States makes many of its payments at the end of each year, months later than the United Nations would like. Already, the financial crunch has jeopardized one UN organ, the International Atomic Energy Agency.Congressional leaders turned down a request in July for a supplemental expenditure of $107 million for U.N. missions in Kosovo and East Timor. They also told administration officials to plan on getting by in 2001 with the same amount--$498 million--appropriated for peacekeeping this year. But next year's US obligation, combined with this year's $250 million shortfall, could top $1 billion.
Back in February, administration forecasters picked a figure of $739 million. While that appears low, the administration is reluctant to request $1 billion. "If they go to congressional leaders and say they are revising the number upward to $1 billion, they will be laughed out of the room," said Stephen Dimoff, an analyst for the United Nations Association.
Republican budget experts say they are trying to impose fiscal discipline. They note that Congress already approved a doubling of peacekeeping expenses, from about $250 million in 1999 to nearly $500 million this year. "The UN keeps billing us and billing us," complained a congressional aide. "It's a bottomless gas tank." Administration officials insist that they, too, favor budgetary restraint. Holbrooke has urged the world body to trim its mission in East Timor. He also has opposed the creation of a full-fledged war crimes tribunal for Sierra Leone, in part because of its expense."We are not pushing missions that are not supported on the Hill," said a US official.
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I can see where the government is coming from, really.
Apparently we aren't going to let the UN run the US... Yay us?
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Some of us fall by the wayside
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And some of us sail through our troubles
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Joey
Rear Admiral
Joined: 13 Jul 2001
Posts: 4708
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| Sun Jun 19, 2005 10:15 pm |
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yay us! 
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Republican_Man
STV's Premier Conservative
Joined: 26 Mar 2004
Posts: 14823
Location: Classified
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| Sun Jun 19, 2005 11:58 pm |
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^Yes. The Un should not be this World Republic that rules the world. Such a corrupt organization...
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"Rights are only as good as the willingness of some to exercise responsibility for those rights- Fmr. Colorado Senate Pres. John Andrews
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LightningBoy
Commodore
Joined: 09 Mar 2003
Posts: 1446
Location: Minnesota, U.S.A.
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| Mon Jun 20, 2005 12:31 am |
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Intenational government is a horrible idea. Laws that work for Cambodia, may not quite work for Norway, ect. Government works best when localized.
The UN has been far to hard on the US lately anyways, it's time we stop putting up with it.
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Republican_Man
STV's Premier Conservative
Joined: 26 Mar 2004
Posts: 14823
Location: Classified
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| Mon Jun 20, 2005 1:35 pm |
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^Yes. If anyone should be hard on anyone, it's the US on the Un. And btw, the UN doesn't deserve to be called the UN--call it the Un.
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"Rights are only as good as the willingness of some to exercise responsibility for those rights- Fmr. Colorado Senate Pres. John Andrews
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Jeremy
J's Guy
Joined: 03 Oct 2002
Posts: 7823
Location: Aberdeen, Scotland
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| Mon Jun 27, 2005 6:15 am |
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Wouldn't it be u.N since you believe it's not united, but the fact it has nations in it isn't in dispute.
I don't know what's been happening properly in the last week as I've been away with no news, but it sounds like the same problems happening again and again. Why doesn't the US back out? (Genuine question, what are the reasons?)
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