In Congress, UN chief calls US 'deadbeat' donor

AP on Yahoo ^ | 3/11/09 | John Heilprin - ap

[NormsRevenge]

WASHINGTON – A day after his White House meeting with President Barack Obama, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called the United States a "deadbeat" donor to the world body while making the made the rounds on Capitol Hill.

Ban's criticism Wednesday of the U.N.'s single biggest backer irked some members of the House Foreign Relations Committee. They were generally supportive of his leadership but voiced concern about U.N. efforts in areas from Sudan to Somalia.

"He used the word 'deadbeat' when it came to characterizing the United States. I take great umbrage (over) that," Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, the panel's senior Republican, said after an hour-long, closed-door meeting. "We certainly contribute a whole lot of U.S. taxpayer dollars to that organization. We do not deserve such a phrase.

Interviewed after the session, Ban said he had wanted to draw attention to the fact that the U.S. agrees to pay 22 percent of the U.N.'s $4.86 billion operating budget, but is perennially late with its dues — and now is about $1 billion behind on its payments.

[caseinpoint]

I think many a “deadbeat” dad says he won’t pay child support because he knows mom isn’t using it to take care of the kids, instead spending it on herself or her new boyfriend. Might this be part of the problem here?

If the United States pays 22% of the U.N. bill, not counting the cost of hosting this circus, I presume, on what basis is that assessed? Are we 22% of the population? Do we have 22% voting/veto power? Are Americans 22% of the staff? Why should we pay 22% and not some portion commensurate with our influence, population or power?

[lafroste]

He should be glad I’m not POTUS. I would order the Army Corp of engineers to bulldoze the entire UN complex into the Hudson, but would neglect to tell them that until the bulldozers were already moving.

[jagusafr]

He should have been tossed bodily out of the building. Oh, that’s right: that’d be “mean-spirited”. At least Ileana spoke up.

Colonel, USAFR

[DustyMoment]

Get the US out of the UN and the UN out of the US!!

They have long since worn out their welcome and Ban Ki-moon should have kept his big yap shut!! Just because the Congress is spending mountains of money on pork projects here in the US doesn’t mean that they are invited to get in line and stand there with their hands out.

[novemberslady]

get out of my country

[Winged Hussar]

Who cares what the United Nithings have to say?

Nithing = a Scandinavian word that was once the worst possible thing you could call somebody. It meant they were subhuman, and an enemy of civilization and all Humanity. It is therefore an expression of total contempt, dehumanization, and degradation.

Remember good old Mike Nifong, the disgraced prosecutor? “Mike Nithing” comes to mind.

[Old Teufel Hunden]

I think Ban Ki-Moon should go ahead and kick us out of the UN. We deserve it..... : )

After that, can we start charging them rent on that piece of real estate in New York???

[SoldierDad]

UN = Unnecessary Neanderthals. Let them eat cake.

[joe fonebone]

US out of UN.......FUBO

[Kakaze]

Ohhhhhhhhh ..........just print more money make Ban as happy as the banks.

For gods sakes what are we doing?

[Lucky9teen]

US out of UN NOW

[Condor51]

Hey, Ban Ki-moon.
Go screw yourself.

There's 192 member countries, yet we pay 22% of your bloated, crime ridden organizations budget? Well Sparky how about WE change the rules and take that budget of yours and divide it by 192? How'd you like that!

$4,860,000,000 (billion) / 192 members = $25,312,500 (million) each.
I'm sure that Albania, Botswana, Burkina Faso or ... Tajikistan wouldn't object to paying that.
Even Rwanda could come up with $25+ million each year.

HUH? What's that?
Whatta ya mean no, that wouldn't be fair as they're poor countries?
Well so what? I don't give a rat's patoot. If they can't pay the dues they drop out.
Less member countries equals less cost, so we all win.

So here's an old saying Buster, remember it: Don't bite the hand that feeds you. And keep yer yap shut, ya leech!

[kcvl]

Before becoming Secretary-General, Ban was a career diplomat in South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in the United Nations. He entered diplomatic service the year he graduated from college, accepting his first post in New Delhi.

Ban has taken particularly strong views on global warming

In the Korean Foreign Ministry his nickname was Ban-chusa, meaning "the Bureaucrat" or "the administrative clerk".

The Korean press corps calls him "the slippery eel" for his ability to dodge questions

Ban also opposed several U.S. positions: he expressed his support for the International Criminal Court and favoured an entirely non-confrontational approach to dealing with North Korea.

[villagerjoel]

Well...I agree that we shouldn´t promise money we never intend to pay.

[Mr Inviso]

3 words well known in the diplomatic world: Persona Non Grata.

[Darkwolf377]

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called the United States a "deadbeat" donor to the world body while making the made the rounds on Capitol Hill.

And our moronic representatives of both parties said "We're not worthy!" and apologized.

[nothingnew]

...U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called the United States a "deadbeat" donor to the world body while making the made the rounds on Capitol Hill.

What the hell does that mean? Does anyone edit the crap they write?

US out of UN...UN out of US!

FMCDH(BITS)

[Moltke]

They should relocate to Mogadishu. By force if necessary.

My suggestion would be Harare...they should feel right at home there with their buddy Mugabe. Mogadishu is certainly an excellent choice as well, though. Maybe all the other UN organisations like UNESCO, WHO, etc. could pitch their tents there.

[wastedyears]

This stupid SOB can’t be serious.

[SuziQ]

Hey, if the UN doesn’t like the US, they’re free to re-locate anywhere else in the world!