************ URGENT POLITICAL ANNOUNCEMENT ******************* >>> >>>Please read, sign and forward the following letter (assuming you are >>>moved to do so...) regarding the financial crisis at the UN. I need >>>not remind you that without the UN there are no conferences in Nairobi >>>or Beijing, there is no Convention for the Elimination of all forms of >>>Discrimination Against Women, no UNIFEM or INSTRAW, and so on and so >>>forth. >>> >>>Several people also suggested today that, if you are a U.S. citizen, and >>>willing to do so, you send a check for "your portion" of the US debt to >>>the UN, xerox the check and send the xeroxes to your senator and house >>>representative to demonstrate the committment of US citizens to the >>>continuing existence of the UN. The individual portion of the US debt >>>amounts to $4.40/person. If you wish to take this action send your check >>>(made out to the UN) to Boutros Boutros-Ghali, Room 3880, UN Secretariat, >>>NY, NY 10017. >>> >******* A CALL FOR ACTION ON THE UN FINANCIAL CRISIS *********** >>> >>>We, citizens from around the globe, call for urgent action to solve the >>>deepening financial crisis of our United Nations. >>> >>>The UN faces collapse because many member states have not paid their >>>full dues assessments, owed as a treaty obligation. On Dec. 31, 1995 >>>these debts totalled $2.3 billion. The organization will be completely >>>out of cash in just a few months and may then be forced to close its >>>doors. This would be a terrible setback in efforts towards peace, >>>human rights and social well-being for all peoples. >>> >>>Already the financial crisis is crippling the UN and keeping it from >>>carrying out essential tasks. Major governments have slashed contributions >>>to key development and humanitarian funds. Diplomatic initiatives for >>>peace cannot proceed, human rights monitors cannot deploy, emergency >>>humanitarian efforts are blocked. To keep the lights turned on, UN leaders >>>are increasingly involved in desperate fund-raising efforts. The UN has >>>very small financial reserves and it has not been permitted to borrow >>>externally, even for one month. >>> >>>We will not accept the ruin of the organization that embodies our hope for >>>the common future of humanity. At at time of rapid globalization, indi- >>>vidual national governments cannot solve the great problems of today and >>>tomorrow. We need the United Nations and advocate reforms that will make >>>it more effective and democratic. We will not excuse those who now seek >>>the UN's destruction. >>> >>>Several major countries facing deep economic difficulties - notably >>>Russia and the Ukraine - have not paid their full dues, though they have >>>taken steps to catch up. But the largest debtor - the United States of >>>America - has withheld UN assessments as a matter of policy and now owes >>>over a billion dollars. The world's richest country, host to UN head- >>>quarters, is pusshi >>>(sorry) pushing the UN to the brink of disaster. >>> >>>The UN's operating costs are suprisingly small. The current US share of >>>the regular UN budget - $321 million - is only a fiftieth of 1% of New >>>York City's annual outlays. The cost of the total UN system, including >>>peace-keeping, health care, human rights, programs for children and women, >>>food and humanitarian relief, comes to less that $10 billion per year - >>>just $2 for each person on earth. By contrast, countries spent $36 >>>billion in 1994 on the global arms trade and $850 billion on military >>>forces. >>> >>>We must assume responsibility for the rapid worsening of the UN's fin- >>>ancial condition. Countries that are strong UN supporters must take the >>>lead in finding solutions. Citizen organizations must rally their mem- >>>bers to actions. Individuals of good will must speak out. We cannot >>>just assume that the UN will survive. Further delay gambles dangeroulsy >>>with our future. >>> >>>We therefore urge the President of the General Assembly to take the lead >>>in organizing and Emergency Special Session to address the crisis. We >>>further: >>> >>>- Call on spiritual and political leaders, members of citizam organ- >>>izations, journalists, parliamentarians, intellectuals and citizens of >>>goodwill to pressure their governments to solve the crisis. >>>- Call on member states to pay promptly their full assessments, >>>without condition or delay. >>>- Call on states with strong economies to accept higher assess- >>>ments, and to make emergency payments, to eliminate the existing debt >>>and deficit. >>>- Call for effective, long-term financing of the UN by additional >>>means, including environment-protecting fees or other global financing >>>levies. >>> >>>Without a strong, effective UN, the world we bequeath to our children >>>will suffer ever-greater violence and misery. We must act immediately, >>>lest we lose this precious source of hope and opportunity! >>> >>>_____ Yes, I want to sign this statement. >>> >>>Name Address Phone Fax E-mail >>> >>> >>> >>>********** >>>send to: Global Policy Forum, Box 20022, NY, NY 10025 USA >>>Phone: 212/501-7435 Fax: 212/595-8134 >>>E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >>> >>>* Please copy and distribute this statement, and post on the internet. >>>Please lobby your government for immediate action. >>
