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Letter to US Amb. Richardson Letter to US Ambassador
[Text Begins]
Bill Richardson
Organizers of the Second Worldwide Vigil for the UN
c/o Global Policy Forum, the World Federalist Movement,
and the World Federation of United Nations Associations
October 23, 1997Ambassador Bill Richardson
Mission of the United States to the UN
799 UN Plaza
New York, NY 10017
Dear Ambassador Richardson:On the occasion of the Second 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 largely due to the failure of the United States of America to pay its 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.
The United States owes a very large sum in arrears – at the end of September $1.47 billion. The U.S. arrears to the regular budget at that date were three times more than the arrears of all other member states combined!
The Clinton administration has approved a plan to deal with outstanding arrears. But this proposal addresses only partially the outstanding sums (slightly more than half) and it does so with dozens of unilateral conditions that are contrary to the spirit of multilateral cooperation. Warnings about possible US withdrawal are even more regrettable.
We call for the United States government to meet its financial obligations in accordance with UN regulations: on time, in full and without condition. And we note that (according to polls) the majority of citizens of the United States support prompt payment of these obligations.
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. It cannot carry out these vital tasks without proper funding.
Today, the eve of UN day, citizens around the world are coming together as w did last year to reaffirm our common concern. 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.
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 our mutual efforts to insure the future of this vital international organization.
Sincerely,Sharon McHale, World Federation of United Nations Associations
James M. Olson, UNA-USA
William Pace, World Federalist Movement
James A. Paul, Global Policy Forum
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