SECRETARY-GENERAL PLEASED BY UNITED STATES CONGRESS DECISION

TO AUTHORIZE DUES PAYMENT OF $582 MILLION

Following is the text of a statement issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General was pleased by the decision of the United States Congress to authorize payment of $582 million, in partial settlement of the dues owed to the United Nations.  He wishes to thank Mr. Ted Turner for his remarkable role in facilitating this payment, and salutes him for his visionary leadership as a true global citizen.

The Secretary-General hopes that all outstanding financial issues between the United States and the United Nations can be resolved as soon as possible, in order to put this issue behind us once and for all.

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