U.S. budget plan excludes money for U.N. debt

Kofi Annan

UNITED NATIONS (AllPolitics, Oct. 15) -- As Washington celebrates a $500 billion budget agreement, a senior U.N. official laments that "not a penny" was earmarked for the $1.1 billion U.S. debt to the United Nations.

That amount includes $265 million for "regular budget" dues and $825 million for "peacekeeping budget" dues.

The U.N. official, who asked not to be named, said some money from the budget likely will be used for the United States' 1998 U.N. dues of $549 million, which is in addition to the larger debt.

"The effect here is devastating," the official said.

Congressional Republicans have insisted on reforms in U.N. operations, especially in spending and efficiency, before paying the arrears.

The U.N. official, who asked to not be named, said the administration of President Bill Clinton had been "less than honest" with U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan about the debt. The official said Annan "had been encouraged to think that it was a priority."

For the past week, Annan has consulted daily with administration officials on the debt.

The U.N. official said he expects the United States to pay the minimum amount required on its current dues, roughly $350 million, to avoid losing its General Assembly voting rights under Article 19 of the U.N. Charter.

The United States also could lose its position on various General Assembly committees, including several that deal with U.N. reform and budget issues.