Monitoring Policy Making at the United Nations |
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Dear Ambassador Burleigh: Letter to Ambassador A. Peter Burleigh
October 23, 1998On the occasion of the Third Worldwide Vigil for the United Nations, we are writing to let you to know of our deep concern at the financial crisis of the United Nations. The precarious state of the UN's finances -- threatening its very existence -- is due to the failure of member states, and especially the United States of America, to pay their dues assessments, owed as a treaty obligation. The financial crisis imperils the UN's vital work for peace, human rights and social well-being for all peoples.
For nearly three years, citizens around the world have been expressing their anguish and their outrage at this crisis. We have circulated petitions, contacted members of Congress and parliamentarians, passed resolutions, and otherwise made our voices heard. Last year on this date concerned citizens in over 45 towns and cities across the globe came together in candlelight vigils and other activities to show their concern.
Regrettably, the United States continues to owe a very large sum in arrears - at the end of September $1.64 billion. The U.S. arrears to the regular budget at that date were nearly four times as much as the arrears of all other member states combined! Mr. Ambassador, this is contrary to international law, and it is also a disgrace.
We note with alarm the possible future loss by the United States of its vote in the General Assembly due to its rising arrearages.
Keen as we are to see the arrears paid, we are relieved that the "Helms-Biden" agreement has not proved a basis for arrears funding. The agreement addresses only partially the outstanding sums (slightly more than half) and it does so with dozens of unilateral conditions that are offensive to the international community and seek to impose the will of the United States government on the entire UN membership.
We find these conditions unacceptable and we call for the United States government to pay its dues immediately, in accordance with UN regulations: on time, in full and without condition.
The United Nations is a unique international forum in which the world's peoples have invested great hopes for peace and well-being. We support its work for health, children, human rights, education, peace, disarmament, food security, refugee protection, and more. We oppose unilateral efforts to cut its budgets, slash its payrolls, and downsize or abolish its programs, especially if they come from the organization's richest and most powerful member.
We note, Mr. Ambassador, that according to polls a very substantial majority of the citizens of the United States is in favor of paying the arrears. We also note that polls find the United Nations to be more popular and more respected among U.S. citizens than the Congress itself by a large margin.
Today, the eve of UN day, citizens around the world are coming together again to reaffirm our concern and our alarm. Events will take place in more than 40 cities and towns. In many cases there will be candlelight vigils where participants will wear small "UN-blue" ribbons to show commitment to the United Nations.
Mr. Ambassador, we are firm in our attachment to this cause. We will not give up. We will continue to make our voices heard. We will continue to protest the actions of the United States government until it has fulfilled its obligations.
We ask you to convey this message to President Clinton, Secretary of State Albright, Senators Biden and Helms, and others in authority. And we invite you to wear the enclosed "UN-blue" ribbon as a sign of your own commitment to the future of the international organization.
We appreciate the leadership you provide the US delegation in this transitional period. And we look forward to working with you, others in your mission and people in Washington to resolve this crisis.
With best wishes,
Sincerely,
James M. Olson, UNA-USA
James Paul, Global Policy Forum
William Pace, World Federalist Movement
Afaf Mahfouz, Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations in Consultation with the United Nations (CONGO)
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