America's $1.7 Billion Debt to the UN
Dateline: 10/31/99
Continued from page 3 ...
Get the US Out of the UN
H.R. 1146, to end membership
of the United States in the United Nations, sponsored by Rep. Ron Paul (R. TX), goes all the way to propose -
in part...
1. The United Nations Participation Act of 1945 (Public Law 79-264, 22 U.S.C. 287-287e) is repealed.
2. The President shall terminate all participation by the United States in the United Nations, and any organ, specialized agency, commission, or other formally affiliated body of the United Nations.
3. The United States Mission to the United Nations is closed. Any remaining functions of such office shall not be carried out.
4. The United Nations Headquarters Agreement Act (Public Law 80-357) is repealed.
5. The United States withdraws from the agreement between the United States and the United Nations regarding the headquarters of the United Nations (signed at Lake Success, New York, on June 26, 1947, which was brought into effect by the United Nations Headquarters Agreement Act).
6. No funds are authorized to be appropriated or otherwise made available for assessed or voluntary contributions of the United States to the United Nations or any organ, specialized agency, commission or other formally affiliated body thereof, except that funds may be appropriated to facilitate withdrawal of United States personnel and equipment. Upon termination of United States membership, no payments shall be made to the United Nations or any organ, specialized agency, commission or other formally affiliated body thereof, out of any funds appropriated prior to such termination or out of any other funds available for such purposes.
7. No funds may be obligated or expended to support the participation of any member of the Armed Forces of the United States as part of any United Nations military or peacekeeping operation or force. No member of the Armed Forces of the United States may serve under the command of the United Nations.
[Current Legislative Status of H.R. 1146 via Thomas]
So, will we pay, not pay, or get out of the UN? Naturally, political issues are influencing Congress' consideration. There's the current debate over the yet-to-be-adopted Federal Budget. In addition, a group led by Rep. Chris Smith (R-New Jersey), object to the UN's international birth control efforts and want to include restrictive language on aid to private family planning organizations in any bill authorizing payment of the back dues.
As a founder and Charter Member, it is doubtful that the United States will ever withdraw from the UN, but should the General Assembly continue to press for payment, the debate in Congress should be very interesting.
State Your
Opinion About this Issue
Tell us what you think about the US' relationship with the United Nations.
Online Poll -- How should the US deal with its UN debt?
[Return to the beginning of this article.]
Research Links
Member Nations of the United Nations
The 188 member states (each has one General Assembly vote) and dates of admission to the UN.United Nations Charter
How closely tied the the UN is the USA? The UN Charter begins, "We the Peoples of the United Nations..."Kofi A. Annan - Biography
Kofi Annan of Ghana is the 7th Secretary General of the UN. Also See... The Quotable Kofi AnnanMajor Achievements of the UN
From making and keeping peace to cleaning up the environment. Also See... History of the UN
Legislative Update
Links to the bills you read about in the news.
Congress Today
Daily schedules plus links to votes, floor records, and resource information.
Headline News and Articles
Breaking news from government and politics, plus latest About.com features.
