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Clinton's Empty Rhetoric: A Press Release [Press Release] "Clinton's Empty Rhetoric"
Citizens Respond with a Worldwide Vigil
For Immediate Release
Contact:
James Paul, Global Policy Forum, (212) 501-7435
Sharon McHale, World Federation of UN Associations, (212) 963-5610
Naomi Onaga, World Federalist Movement, (212) 599-1320
New York City, September 22, 1997 -- Today in his speech to the General Assembly, President Bill Clinton affirmed his administration’s support for the United Nations and its ideals. But his words were empty rhetoric. Under his leadership, U.S. arrears to the U.N. now stand at $1.5 billion -- higher than during any previous presidency. The U.N. has been driven to the edge of bankruptcy.The United States has also made ever-increasing unilateral demands for "reform" of U.N. policy – often through payment "conditions" – making a mockery of multilateral partnership and shared global decision-making. Though Senator Jesse Helms and his conservative colleagues in Congress bear substantial responsibility for these policies, the Clinton administration has accepted them and made them its own, in defiance of international law and solemn treaty obligations.
We plan to hold a Worldwide Vigil of protest on October 23rd, the eve of UN Day, to draw public attention to these policies and to demand support for a stronger, better-funded UN. We will call not only on the United States government, but on all governments and citizens of goodwill to end the UN’s paralyzing financial crisis, without delay and without conditions.
Last year, in 32 cities on four continents, people gathered in vigils and related activities to express their concern and their indignation. One vigil was held across from Senator Helms’ office in Raleigh, North Carolina, while another candlelight event was held in Lafayette Park, across from the White House. This year’s vigil will be even larger and more forceful, with citizens in more than fifty cities participating.
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