Annan warns against 'big stick' approach to UN reforms
UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, in a letter published yesterday by The Wall Street Journal, warned US lawmakers that the threat to withhold UN dues could undermine UN reform efforts and US diplomacy.
Annan quoted from a bipartisan Task Force report by US lawmakers saying US diplomacy needed to build a strong coalition of countries who share US desire to reform the United Nations.
"Such a coalition will not be built by one nation threatening to cut its own contribution unilaterally. Other states will not accept such a 'big stick' approach," warned Annan.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. He was referring to a bill the House of Representatives passed a week ago to withhold half of Washington's UN dues if the world body does not reform. Proposed by Republican Henry Hyde, the bill is opposed by the White House.
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