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US Strikes Back By Freezing UN Payments - UN Finance - Global Policy Forum US Strikes Back By Freezing UN Payments
Independent South Africa
May 11, 2001The House of Representatives struck back at the United Nations on Thursday, freezing the final payment of United States arrears to the world body until the US regains its lost seat on the Human Rights Commission. Brushing aside objections from the White House, the Republican-led chamber voted 252-165 to condition the third and final arrears payment of $244-million (about R194-billion) due next year on Washington's return to the commission.
The measure does not affect this year's $582-million arrears payment, protecting it from a wave of outrage in congress over last week's vote to remove the US from the 53-member UN Human Rights Commission for the first time since 1947. Supporters said the measure was a modest compromise that allowed congress to register its anger over the UN snub without unravelling a long-sought 1999 deal that allows payment of the US arrears in exchange for a lowering of US dues and peacekeeping contributions.
The measure, attached to a bill that authorises fiscal 2002 and 2003 spending for the State Department and related agencies, gives UN members time to return the US to the commission at the next vote in May 2002, they said. "Actions have consequences. Our UN friends have an option - if they would like to get the payment, they will vote the US back on the commission," said Tom Lantos of California, the ranking Democrat on the House International Relations Committee and co-sponsor of the proposal with the committee's chairperson, Republican Henry Hyde of Illinois.
But opponents said Washington should not use its debts as bargaining chips and should not punish the UN for the UN Economic and Social Council's vote elevating France, Austria and Sweden to the commission's three open slots for Western nations."The deal we agreed to was to pay our dues," said Democrat Carolyn Maloney. "It's wrong for us to turn around and change the rules." - Reuters
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