Posted on 06/09/2005 8:16:53 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
UNITED NATIONS (AP) - U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Thursday criticized proposed legislation before the U.S. House of Representatives that would link reforms of the world body to payment of U.S. dues.
Annan said he hoped the bill, introduced Tuesday by Illinois Republican Henry Hyde, won't become law. He repeated his oft-stated view that withholding dues from the United Nations would be "counterproductive."
"We are going through reforms and the U.S. has a natural leadership role and I hope it will work with other Member States to reform and strengthen the Organization," Annan told reporters. "I don't think holding back on contributions sends the right message."
Annan discussed the bill during a phone call with President Bush on Thursday morning, he told dozens of U.N. ambassadors at a breakfast later in the morning. Annan told the ambassadors that Bush had reiterated the U.S. position that it opposes the idea of withholding dues.
On Wednesday, a GOP-controlled House committee approved Hyde's bill, which would withhold one-half of U.S. dues to the United Nations unless it made specific changes.
House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas, told a news conference the legislation will be taken up by the full House next week. Currently there is no similar legislation before the Senate, and the U.S. administration's opposition means the bill's chances are unclear.
The U.S. is the biggest financial contributor to the United Nations, paying about 22 percent of the annual $2 billion general budget. That does not include money for peacekeeping, most international tribunals, or programs like the U.N. Development Program and UNICEF, which are funded separately.
A few years back, there was an unedited wire piece detailing the inflight meals Mr. Annan and his entourage are served. It was beyond your wildest dreams.
Mr. Annan is afraid he might end up eating roast turkey instead of fresh Maine lobster and Bolivan stawberries in cream.
I wasn't aware Kofi had any imput in what organizations this sovereign country chooses to financially support.
I take that back. Obviously his representation can be found in the K-Twins, Clinton, Democratic Party and Voinovich.
Bad idea? Not nearly as bad as the thought of a useless peice of corrupt scum like him wasting oxygen and emitting greenhouse gases by opening his mouth.
Now if the article were fully honest, the title would be: "U.S.: Kofi Annan is bad idea".
What a coincidence!
That's the same thing Black Bart said.
Kofi's head should be on a spike.
The UN should be based in a third world country. Chad or Botswana would please these self serving high rollers.
Take UNEP and the ICUN down as well. They use fears about the environment to destroy private property ownership and promote collectivism/socialism - particularly the redistribution of wealth by selectively imposing regulatory burdens and prohibitions on western cultures.
What "U.S" does he live in?
I'm still laughing, the idea of Kofi Annan telling us what is right and what is wrong. I live in Manhattan, and I think the UN building would make a great condo development. So let's kick the bastards out, send them to Paris where they belong, and start marketing "condos for sale with scenic views of the East River."
The UN doesn't allow OUTSIDE AUDITS.
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to understand why.
And Oil For Food was not and is not the only corrupt program.
Hey, these folks need to give some credit for co-sponserer Mike Pence too! Pence in 2008!
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1419474/posts
Why should our government pay dues to an anti-US organization?
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