This may be why the UN will likely not endorse war against Iraq.

FR | 2/10/03 | m. felton

[Mark Felton]

There is an old saw to consider when seeking motivations behind otherwise incomprehensible behaviour: "Follow the Money".

It is clear that the expense for using force against Iraq will be borne by directly by the US and by other countries directly contributing to the effort. This expense will be between $10B and $100B.

The US is currently, and disproportionately, the largest financial contributor to UN.

If the UN "authorizes" the use of force before hand then the US might choose to credit their military expenses against any current and future UN dues. This would be entirely fair, and it would also bankrupt the administrative body of the U.N., unless the other member states would dramatically increase their financial contributions.

If the UN chooses not to authorize the use of force, then the UN will be discredited but at least it may not so quickly go broke.

Note: If the US truly wanted UN authorization it would provide guarantees about future funding levels and even provide assistance with the building of a new UN headquarters. It would pay them off.

[El Gato]

I'm all for a new UN HQ - if it's tents in North Dakota

If you must put them on a praire somewhere, how about in tents somewhere on the Serengeti of Africa? Failing that, the steppes of the Ukraine. I'd say the Pampas of Argentina, but that's too close. Mongolia would also be an excellent choice.

[lodwick]

N.Korea tent bttt

[justshe]

~~~ read somewhere a while back that the U.N. has "custody" of Iraq's "Oil for Food" bank account & is making quite a bit of interest, etc., for administering the account. You might also want to look at that. ~~~

Interesting, Amelia. I had not heard that. MOST interesting in fact. I wonder WHERE, or in WHICH offshore location this acct is 'banked'.

[Kay Soze]

Excellent Observation.

[hoosiermama]

BUMP

[ATOMIC_PUNK]

Actually, my guarantee would be a negative guarantee: "If you idiots hold up this resolution another day, we're walking out, and the UN becomes just another private organization under US law. Y'all get to pay parking tickets and property taxes."

Now your talking but i would still give them an eviction notice

[Poohbah]

F*** the eviction notice, just dun 'em for back taxes. I don't mind them being in this country per se, I just want 'em to cough up!

[Amelia]

I wonder WHERE, or in WHICH offshore location this acct is 'banked'.

That I don't know, but there was a thread here on it 2-3 weeks ago.

[reformedliberal]

Way too close to me. No thanks! Get them the hell out of the USA!

[desertcry]

If what you say is true, then the UN is finished, and will thrown out of NYC.