SECRETARY-GENERAL PLEASED THAT UNITED STATES CONGRESS HAS ACTED POSITIVELY ON ISSUE OF ARREARS

Press Release
SG/SM/7229

SECRETARY-GENERAL PLEASED THAT UNITED STATES CONGRESS HAS ACTED POSITIVELY ON ISSUE OF ARREARS

The Secretary-General is pleased that the United States Congress has acted positively on the issue of United States arrears to the United Nations. He believes this vote marks a turning point in the efforts to restore the United States to its natural leadership position at the United Nations. And he is grateful to President William Clinton and his foreign policy team, as well as to members of the United States House of Representatives and Senate for their determination to break this long-standing and debilitating impasse.

The Secretary-General notes that the legislation does not provide for full payment of the arrears owed by the United States to the United Nations, and it includes a number of other terms and conditions that can only be resolved in negotiations between the United States and the other 187 Member States. He hopes for the speedy and successful completion of these negotiations, while stressing the obligation of all Member States to pay their United Nations dues in full, on time and without condition.

The Secretary-General looks forward to working constructively with the United States and the entire membership in meeting the profound challenges the world faces as we enter the twenty-first century.

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