US handling of UN reform angers developing nations

Sunday, February 19, 2006

US handling of UN reform angers developing nations

UNITED NATIONS: US Ambassador John Bolton’s drive to crack down on UN fraud and abuse is triggering a backlash from developing nations who fear Washington is trying to wrest control from UN members.

The simmering conflict between Washington and the developing nations that make up a majority of UN members boiled to the surface this week when two US congressmen said nonaligned states had “worked feverishly in New York to block the efforts ... to clean up the institution”.

“We and our colleagues in the House of Representatives have followed, and will continue to follow, your actions very closely, and we intend to hold you accountable for them,” Republican Henry Hyde of Illinois and Democrat Tom Lantos of California wrote South African Ambassador Dumisani Kumalo in a letter circulated at the United Nations on Friday.
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Developing nations have long suspected wealthy nations, and particularly the United States, of seeking reforms after the Iraq oil-for-food scandal to impose their will on small nations while shielding their own actions. The United States points out frequently it should have a major say in UN operations because it pays for about a quarter of the budget.
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\02\19\story_19-2-2006_pg4_1