(23 Jan 1997) English/Nat
President Clinton on Wednesday promised a way to pay off America's one (b) billion dollar debt to the United Nations.
He made the pledge after meeting with U-N Secretary-General Kofi Annan.
For his part, Annan promised he would pursue aggressive reform of the United Nations.
In a photo opportunity at the White House, President Clinton praised Kofi Annan, calling him a proven reformer who's prepared to act.
He promised the U-N chief he will work with Congress to make sure the United States pays its arrears to the world body.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"We cannot expect to lead through the United Nations unless we are prepared to pay our own way -- and to pay what we owe - as they do what they should along the path of reform. As long as the United States does its part -- and the United Nations does its part -- we simply have to be prepared to pay our debts and to pay our dues."
SUPER CAPTION: U-S President Bill Clinton
The United States owes the world body over one (b) billion dollars, and the U-S arrears are often blamed for the U-N's severe financial problems.
The U-S Congress has refused to pay the bill, saying that the organization's mammoth bureaucracy was in dire need of reform.
Annan said if the international organization does not change, it could become irrelevant.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Simply put, what the United Nations wants is what the U-S also wants: a reformed United Nations that is effective, efficient, leaner and relevant to the tasks that member states want to set for us. The world has changed and we have to change. We have to adapt. And I have given my commitment to the president that I will pursue reforms."
SUPER CAPTION: U-N Secretary-General Kofi Annan
Earlier today, Annan had breakfast with his counterpart Cesar Gaviria at the Organization of American State.
The U-N Secretary-General also met at the State Department with Acting Secretary of State Peter Tarnoff.
The Secretary-General says his meetings have been fruitful, and he's confident the United States will meet its financial obligations.
Find out more about AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
Twitter: [ Ссылка ]
Facebook: [ Ссылка ]
Instagram: [ Ссылка ]
You can license this story through AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
