Shultz Calls U.S. Debt to U.N. ‘a Disgrace’

Secretary of State George P. Shultz said today that it is a disgrace that the United States owes money to the United Nations but said U.S. financial support for U.N. peacekeeping operations is forthcoming.

Asked in a CBS “This Morning” interview about U.S. contributions to funding for U.N. peacekeeping, Shultz said: “There is some money that, as the things that we’re looking for are satisfied and I think they will be, will be paid over.”

He did not say when the money will be paid, but continued: “On the other hand we have a huge arrearage that Congress has just not appropriated. I think that we just have to step up to that obligation.”

He added, “I think it’s a disgrace that we don’t pay our bills.”

The United States owes the United Nations about $467 million in unpaid regular budget dues and another $70 million for its share of current peacekeeping operations, not including the Persian Gulf efforts now swinging into motion.

Congress, angered by what it saw as anti-U.S. actions in the United Nations, in 1985 approved a certification procedure calling for administrative and budget changes at the world body and withholding full payment of Washington’s U.N. assessment.

Some conservative Republicans who oppose full dues payments favor separate support for peacekeeping efforts.

A General Assembly committee Tuesday recommended that the United States be assessed about $10.9 million of a proposed $35.7-million total to finance the Gulf cease-fire operation for the first three months of its initial six-month mandate.

The White House has said Washington will “bear its fair share of the cost” of the Gulf peace force.

In the interview, Shultz also said: “I think it’s long past time that the Palestinians recognized the state of Israel.”

Asked whether this would be a good sign for the region, he said, “Oh, certainly.” However, he added, “But as far as an independent Palestinian state on the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, it just doesn’t make sense as far as I can see.”

Shultz supported Vice President George Bush’s choice of Indiana Sen. Dan Quayle to be his running mate on the Republican ticket.