US lawmakers threaten to slash UN funding

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2005

WASHINGTON (AFP) — The US House of Representatives voted to withhold half of Washington's UN dues absent world body reforms, a move opposed by President George W. Bush and UN chief Kofi Annan.

The State Department and White House opposed the legislation to freeze about 50 percent of the US share of the UN budget. The Republican-controlled chamber voted 221-184 for the bill.

Washington is the largest contributor to the United Nations, accounting for 438 million dollars of the world body's 2005 budget of 1.82 billion dollars.

UN critics in Congress took advantage of the debate to assail the organization, which has been plagued by a scandal over its Iraq oil-for-food program.

"Far from saving future generations from the scourge of war, the United...