Jason Cormier wrote:
> On 7/3/03 12:46, in article be1mkr$a5he$1@ID-105084.news.dfncis.de,
> "Kevin Gowen" <kgowenNOSPAM@myfastmail.com> wrote:
>
>>
>>>>>>> http://washingtontimes.com/world/20030701-115649-1264r.htm
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> "Many of those most opposed to the U.S.-led effort in Iraq now
>>>>>>> argue that American participation is vital to the success of a
>>>>>>> proposed 5,000-strong multinational peacekeeping mission to
>>>>>>> enforce a cease-fire. Among them are U.N. Secretary-General Kofi
>>>>>>> Annan, leading European powers ? including France ? and the
>>>>>>> editorial page of the New York Times."
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Why does a country with 6% of the world's population pay 22% of
>>>>>> the UN's expenses?
>>>>>
>>>>> Because said country agreed to do so.
>>>>
>>>> Therefore, if the county currently paying 22% of the UN's expenses
>>>> decides that enough is enough, and their share should be lower (say
>>>> 6%), that would be perfectably acceptable?
>>>
>>> They would need to renegotiate; they would also lose influence in
>>> the balance. It's up to them which is more important.
>>
>> Um, Jason, why do you think the US could renegotiate? Member States
>> don't get to negotiate what percentage of UN expenses is apportioned
>> to them by the General Assembly.
>
> Interesting choice of words.

No more interesting than Article 17(2):
"The expenses of the Organization shall be borne by the Members as
apportioned by the General Assembly."

> The percentage isn't negotiated but the
> total amount certainly is.

Here we have a shift of ground. The US has gone from agreeing to pay a given
percentage of the UN budget to simply agreeing to the total amount of the UN
budget.

> Do you think the apportioned expenses are
> numbers pulled out of thin air and without any prior discussion?

I never said anything of the kind, Jed. Of course there is prior discussion,
but not in the General Assembly. Discussion takes place in the GA's
Administrative and Budgetary Committee (5th committee of the UNGA). The
United States has no representative in its bureau.

-- 
Kevin Gowen
"When I'm president, we'll do executive orders to overcome any wrong
thing the Supreme Court does tomorrow or any other day." Dick Gephardt
(D-MO), presidential candidate