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Congress Adjourns without Acting on UN Arrears (November 13, 1997) News Bulletin (November 13, 1997)
Congress Adjourns without Acting on UN Arrears
The US Congress adjourned today without acting on the payment of arrears to the United Nations, though the regular and peacekeeping budget appropriations were passed at the last minute. The United States currently owes $1.373 to the world body.
Also affected negatively in the Congressional action were a new $3.5 billion IMF emergency credit line for Southeast Asia and a planned reorganization of the State Department. All three items were omitted from an omnibus spending authorization bill, in retaliation for the Clinton administration's position on a separate matter -- funding for private international family planning organizations that condone abortion-related activities.
Many observers believe that the Congressional action on the UN arrears is not purely happenstance. Defunding the UN has been a goal of many conservatives in Congress. Even within the mainstream of the policy establishment in Washington, there is lack of strong support for the UN, though public support for the organization is overwhelming.
In the final days of the session, there were two unsuccessful efforts to gain Congressional support for UN arrears payments after intensive lobbying by Secretary of State Albright and Treasury Secretary Rubin. But after complex legislative maneuvers, the House voted down one package by 216 to 171.
In an effort to appeal to conservatives, administration lobbyists laid great emphasis on the UN's role in punishing Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. A combination of anti-UN sentiment, anti-abortion ferver, and strained relations between the Clinton administration and Congress combined to scuttle the administration's efforts.
The bill authorizing payment to the UN's regular 1997 budget provided for payment of $305 million, some of which had already been disbursed under previous legislation. But the balance will not be paid immediately, since part of the disbursement is conditional on Presidential certification that Congressionally-imposed conditions have been met, including a no-growth budget at the UN.
The bill also approved payment of $210 million for peacekeeping (vs. $240 million requested by the Clinton administration) -- a sum so small that the UN will not be able to undertake significant new peacekeeping missions in the immediate future, no matter how urgent the crisis.
At the UN in New York, delegates reacted angrily at the news about the non-payment of arrears. Many affirmed that there could be no agreement on a reduced US dues schedule -- an important policy goal in Washington -- until full payment of arrears is assured.
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