Washington - The US may begin paying some of the $1.6 billion it owes the UN in dues, but only if the American annual contribution is reduced from 25 per cent to 20 per cent, Joe Carroll reports.
The US, which is the largest contributor, risks losing its vote in the General Assembly if it does not begin paying off its arrears this year. It has already lost its seat on the UN budgetary committee.
The backlog amounts to $1.6 billion, according to the UN, but this figure is disputed by the US. The Republican-controlled Congress has been refusing to pay the arrears in recent years until the UN agrees to a series of reforms to reduce its costs.
The Senate has now voted for a Bill which authorises the US to pay $819 million to the UN over three years and to cancel $107 million which it is owed by the UN. The Bill also requires the US contribution to the budget to be reduced to 20 per cent, and the contribution to peacekeeping operations from 31 per cent to 25 per cent.