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American Morning

Congress Considers Withholding U.N. Dues

Aired May 10, 2001 - 11:05   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: A dispute between the U.S. and the United Nations has found its way to Congress. As we speak, House members are considering a proposal to withhold back dues that the U.S. owes to that world body. Lawmakers are responding to the U.N.'s recent decision to remove the country from a key panel. CNN's Jeanne Meserve joins us now from Washington. She's got more on this for us -- Jeanne.

JEANNE MESERVE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Congress very upset by the in fact that Sudan and Libya are now sitting on a United Nations human rights panel and the United States has been booted off of that. And as a result of that move by the United Nations, people on Congress, even some people who are usually in the corner of the United Nations, are saying that they may make a threat to vis-a-vis dues.

Right now, the U.S. owes back dues to that organization. But they are threatening to withhold many millions of dollars in dues due next year unless the United States is restored to that human rights panel.

President Bush has advised against this action. And he has found some support on the Democratic side of the aisle.

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REP. CAROLYN MALONEY (D), NEW YORK: This amendment will hold hostage United States payments to the United Nations. In 1999, under the Helms-Biden agreement, we negotiated a deal with United Nations. They have held up their end of the bargain. We have not.

Because the U.N. Has voted the U.S. Off the Human Rights Commission, we are deciding that we can break our agreement, that we can break our contract. This is wrong. And I think we would be ashamed if our children acted in this manner.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MESERVE: But there are, of course, very different points of view. Here's what's one Republican member of the House had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

REP. LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (R), FLORIDA: The expulsion of the United States simply shows, in my opinion, in the true nature of a significant portion of that commission. I am confident that the United States Congress through this legislation will make it clear that it takes note of what it is unfortunately really happening to the United Nations.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MESERVE: The United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan says the U.S. could regain the seat next year, and in-town requesting $200 million in money from the U.S. to fight AIDS.

Back to you in Atlanta.

HARRIS: All right, thanks, Jeanne. We'll see you in a bit.

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