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International-UN-NGOs
Annan hopes Japan won't link Security Council, financial contribution
2005-12-01
U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan, who will visit Japan from Dec 9-12, suggested Wednesday that Japan should not link its financial contribution to its efforts to secure a permanent seat on the U.N. Security Council, while acknowledging its high financial contribution. "But of course, it's not a direct sort of linkage between the contribution and membership of the council, although we do indicate that to be a member of the council you must be able to make contributions to the organization," he said. Annan emphasized that council members are also expected to fulfill their duties by supplying peacekeeping forces, as well participating in diplomatic initiatives, in addition to making financial contributions.
Posted by:Pappy

#9  What Kofi & Co LLC needs to realize is that responsible countries will look at their contributions in a qualitive cost-benefit ratio. This will be done because the countries need to be accountable to their taxpayers. Kofi's position is that the UN bureaucrats know best, and that it is the responsibility of member countries (at least some of them) to fork over the money, with no questions asked.

Accountability is a bitch for those that are not accountable. Game is not over, but the moves are already predetermined, like the end game in chess. Smart chess players resign before checkmate when they can see that it is all over except the final moves.
Posted by: Alaska Paul   2005-12-01 17:15  

#8  BTW, the France's contribution to the UN budget chart for the US general budget contribution is wrong. It was reduced to 22% some years ago. When the UN was formed, the US picked up 50% of the budget.
Posted by: ed   2005-12-01 16:14  

#7  France's contribution to the UN budget

For reference, the total US contribution to UN programs is over $3 billion (27% peacekeeping, 40% or more to many humanitarian programs). Then there are the unbilled contributions such as US equipment and logistics for peacekeeping missions, US government technical and scientific services, US participation in peacekeeping missions that are not billed or only covered in tiny part by the UN budget.
Posted by: ed   2005-12-01 16:05  

#6  Lecturing the Nips about money before paying them a visit? Kofi, you're every bit as stupid as you look. I suspect you'd better be prepared to do more with less.
Posted by: Besoeker   2005-12-01 16:05  

#5  Japan is, I believe, the 2nd largest contributor. How much has France paid in the last 10 years? Should they have a seat? Does the EU actually NEED 2 sec council seats? Or is Britain pulling out of the EU and taking theirs with them?

Inquiring minds.
Posted by: mojo   2005-12-01 15:43  

#4  What? Are they not getting their money's worth?
Posted by: Monsieur Moonbat   2005-12-01 09:35  

#3  Kojo needs a new car --- the ashtrays in his old car are full.
Posted by: gromgoru   2005-12-01 06:39  

#2  My understanding is that the issue is Japan thinks its contribution is too high - and its not directly linked to the SC seat - and wants to cut it by 25%. I'm betting they will and it may well trigger a cascade of similar cuts. Can't wait!
Posted by: phil_b   2005-12-01 02:43  

#1  I hope they do. The UN needs less money.
Posted by: Mahou Sensei Negi-bozu   2005-12-01 01:11  

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