The People Pay Up

ASHAMED of Washington's reluctance to pay its outstanding contribution of $1.5 billion to the United Nations, many United States citizens have taken matters into their own hands. In the true spirit of collective responsibility, every day personal cheques—each for $4.40 per citizen—are pouring into the UN headquarters from across the gigantic nation.

According to UN spokesman Ahmed Fauzi, 462 cheques were received last week alone. In a unique gesture of protest, 1,047 Americans have sent in a total of $6,500 so far. Says he: "A mere drop in the ocean for $3.2 billion (total outstanding debts to the UN from all member-states) but it is much appreciated by this organisation, I can tell you that."

Covering letters accompany many cheques and contain scathing observations on Washington's wishy-washy approach to the matter so far. Theoretical press speculations that $1.5 billion amounted to around $4.40 per US citizen were what prompted the flood of mail to the UN. And fresh sackfuls continue to arrive every day.

After placing an appeal in their local newspaper urging others to respond, 35 residents of New Canaan, Connecticut, mailed their money to New York and told UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali just how they feel about the US dodging its obligation. "Dear Secretary General," their letter read, "The undersigned residents enclose their cheques to the United Nations covering their share of the funds owed by the United States, which, we understand, amounts to $4.40 per person. We make this gesture in protest against the failure of the United States to fulfil its obligation from its membership in the UN through our individual protests, we hope to send a message and set a small example which we hope our government will follow."바카라 웹사이트

Enclosed was a copy of their newspaper appeal to indicate that more was to follow. "No acknowledgement to these first payments is necessary. After the second phase, a letter in the local newspaper in New Canaan, thanking all the residents who participated, would do very nicely. Ours is a small community and a small gesture. However, we hope it will be an example to others of what we hope is our national conscience."

Americans are currently being bombarded with an onslaught of heated rhetoric against the UN, Washington's position as the greatest contributor to the world body and US participation in UN peacekeeping operations. Pat Buchanan, candidate for the Republican nomination to the US presidential elections, for instance, has let slip no opportunity to attack the UN in his quest for a stable platform among potential voters.

But even so, there seems to be a growing sense of embarrassment among US citizens at Washington's reluctance to pay up. Chief American delegate to the UN, Madeleine K. Albright, announced in early March that the Clinton Administration is to propose a five-year plan to pay up its share, when it submits budget proposals to the Congress later in the month.

In order to make the pay-off plan more palatable to Republicans in Congress, the Clinton Administration will reportedly ask for a reduction of the US contribution to the UN's regular budget from 25 per cent to 20 per cent. The US also contributes around 30.4 per cent to the world body's peacekeeping costs. Congress wants a reduction of that amount to 25 per cent.

Compared to the United States, the second and third largest contributors to the UN, Germany and Japan, have always paid their dues on time. Last year, Germany paid 8.93 per cent and Japan 12.4 per cent, respectively, of the UN budget, apart from making large contributions to the peacekeeping operations. For instance, Germany and Japan disbursed 8.9 per cent and 12.5 per cent, respectively, to the UNPROFOR's budget last year.

The power to change contributions rests with the UN General Assembly. But in the various working groups currently discussing reforms to the organisation, the subject of national contributions is not expected to be tackled in the near future. But for now, personal cheques and scathing criticism of the US government are coming in thick and fast at the New York headquarters of the world body.바카라 웹사이트

"I read that the US debt to the UN amounts to $4.40 for each American citizen," wrote a man from North Carolina. "Enclosed is a cheque for $8.80 to cover the share for my wife and me. I may not always agree with the US government. I am proud of my country. Yet I cannot but feel ashamed it's a deadbeat by failing to honour its financial obligation. I would expect my tenants to pay their rent, all my poker companions to pay their gambling losses, even if they disagreed with me about politics, religion, whatever."바카라 웹사이트

While UN officials are shaking their heads in amazement at the stream of money and critical self-assessment, copies of the same letters are making many local Congressmen across the US squirm too.

In fact, the poker player from North Carolina may have pulled a few trumps: he sent a copy of his letter to local Senator, Jesse Helms, who happens to be the very vocal initiator of the anti-UN lobby in the US Congress in Washington.바카라 웹사이트