Japan Warns U.n. Of Funding Cut

clhenry · Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2006 8:02 pm Post subject:

http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2006/2/...3452.shtml?s=ic

Quote:

If widespread fraud and waste at the United Nations is not stopped, Japan says it may cut its funding for the scandal-ridden international organization.

Responding to a U.N. official’s argument that his organization’s peacekeeping operations need more money to avoid future lapses, Japanese U.N. mbassador, Kenzo Oshima, said his government, which kicks in 20 percent of the peacekeeping budget, will "find it very difficult" to keep underwriting such operations unless corruption, waste and sexual abuse by troops are halted, the Los Angeles Times reported.

The threat arose during a special Security Council session called to discuss an internal investigation that unearthed the fact that nearly $300 million was lost in waste and fraud in peacekeeping procurement. According to the Times, the session was held as part of a U.S.-led effort to spur reform of U.N. management after another investigation revealed that a lack of oversight and rules had allowed corruption and subversion of the U.N.’s $64 billion oil-for-food program for Iraq.

The internal investigation report says the procurement department had a grievous lack of internal controls, and that rules were often flouted from 2000 to 2004. The report noted that it costs about $5 billion to support the U.N.'s 18 peacekeeping missions around the world. It said the scale, diversity and immediacy of needs allows opportunity for waste, fraud and corruption.

The Times reported that eight U.N. staffers have been placed on paid leave while the investigation continues, and that the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York is questioning others. The U.S. investigation of the U.N. procurement system has already led to a guilty plea from one U.N. employee, Alexander Yakovlev, who admitted committing wire fraud and money laundering.

U.S. Ambassador John R. Bolton, the current president of the Security Council, convened the session commenting that the $300 million figure was higher than the total U.S. contribution to the annual peacekeeping budget.

Looks like it is not only the U.S. thats getting a little perturbed at this. Cool

Werebo · Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2006 8:32 pm Post subject:

Unfortunately, it was a good idea that's now gone bad Sad

... It's been a gravy-train for a lot of people for a long time now.

I think it could do with a bit of a shakeup and an overhaul to get it back on track again :hmm: ...

tony7914 · Joined: Dec 24, 2004 Posts: 4965 Location: Peru Indiana

I believe The League of Nations went the same way in the past.

al bundy · Joined: Jun 26, 2004 Posts: 938

the times are changing.

http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2006/2/27/95413.shtml

Werebo · Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2006 5:47 pm Post subject:

Because of all the various Nation's bickering and self-interest, running the UN as a democracy is never going to work...

What's needed is a United Nations Dictatorship. If they will offer me a decent living wage, I'll happily take the job :whistling: ....

Huapakechi · Joined: Jan 19, 2005 Posts: 487

Werebo · Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2006 11:36 am Post subject:

Huapakechi · Joined: Jan 19, 2005 Posts: 487

tony7914 · Joined: Dec 24, 2004 Posts: 4965 Location: Peru Indiana

Gary66 · Joined: Sep 01, 2005 Posts: 8353