United States Payments to the United Nations

I support the payment of U.S. dues to the United Nations in full, and time, and without conditions in accordance with obligations incurred when the U.S. ratified the U.N. Charter.

Background:  
(The following information is provided by the Campaign for United Nations Reform)

The United Nations relies on assessed contributions from its members based on their ability to pay. Consequently, the United States is assessed 25% of the U.N.'s regular budget and 31% of the peacekeeping budget. Payments by the U.S. in 1998 for the regular budget, peacekeeping operations, and international tribunals totaled $586 million. By comparison, the U.S. Department of Defense 1998 budget was over 400 times as much. Supporting the U.N. is a cost effective way of preserving the security of the United States as well as improving the lives of people throughout the world. 

The United States has criticized other countries for not paying their dues on time and would object to other countries unilaterally making demands upon the U.N. as a condition of payment. The U.S. should not engage in behavior to which it would object if done by another nation. Additionally, the U.S. policy of withholding dues is counterproductive. It has endangered the U.S. vote in the General Assembly and damaged the moral leadership and public image of America within the international community.

When the United States ratified the U.N.'s Charter, it made a binding legal commitment to pay an annual assessment-just like other member states-based largely on the size of the national economy. By withholding payments, the U.S. seriously damages the ability of the United Nations to function effectively. 

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