Korean Job Discussion Forums

[travelingfool]

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2009/03/white-house-sla.html

White House Slaps UN Secretary-General on 'Deadbeat' Comments

March 12, 2009 3:17 PM

The White House expressed disapproval Thursday with comments United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon made to members of Congress that the U.S. is a "deadbeat" nation for being behind on its U.N. dues.

"I would note for the Secretary-General that his word choice was unfortunate, given the fact that the American taxpayer is the largest contributor to the United Nations," said White House press secretary Robert Gibbs at his daily briefing.

On Wednesday, Ban pointed out to members of the House Foreign Relations Committee that although the United States pays 22 percent of the U.N.'s $4.86 billion operating budget, the country is always late with its dues. The U.S. is now is approximately $1 billion behind, a figure that will soon increase to $1.6 billion. In the private meeting, he referred to the U.S. as a "deadbeat" nation, angering members of the committee including ranking Republican Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, R-Fla.

"Given the contribution that the American taxpayer makes," Gibbs said, it "would be appropriate to acknowledge that role."

Moon on Wednesday evening issued a statement saying that the U.S. "generously supports the work of the U.N., both in assessed and voluntary contributions" and that he "enjoys an excellent working relationship with the United States and appreciates the many ways that it supports the United Nations."


What an a-hole. I say we 1)Kick the UN out of New York and let them set up shop in Somalia or Darfur, and 2) Get the US military out of Korea. Ungratefulness and short memories seem to be quite endemic among Koreans.

[DrOctagon]

This is old news buddy.

[Xuanzang]

Just Sparkling language there Mr. Secretary-General.

[Ruthdes]

haha, this is hilarious. I wonder if BKM really wanted to say deadbeat, or if he did what so many of my students do and just chose an inappropriate word. You would think he'd have a native English speaker check his speech before he made it.

[Troll_Bait]

Where is Korea in these rankings?

[Ilsanman]

He's an asshole, no bones about it.

I knew he was a lame duck. But him being an ungrateful asshole is additional.

If the UN HQ is rented land, maybe it's time the rent went up.

[dragstar]

And that coming from the mouth of the Useless Nitwits over at Turtle bay...If they would change their address I'd be happy.

[5600]

Clinton held back the dues once for some reason I don't remember what. The US contributes I think 30% of the UN's budget. Google it for the exact figures. If were not paying then there is a reason. Who cares really we have veto power in the UN.

[Stones1962]

And what about the 10's of millions of dollars UN employees owe the city of New York for traffic tix? I know they have diplomatic immunity but come on....pay your frickin' parking tix!

I'm sure the Korean envoys owe quite a lot themselves

[semi-fly]

Why do I find comments like these funny? They need the United States for protection yet still slap them in the face for petty little things like this, simply unbelievable.

[OneWayTraffic]

Well if a bill is late it's late. I know that the word was inappropiate, given the respective donations. But it's not like he doesn't have a point.

Still the lack of diplomacy is disconcerting.

[Chet Wautlands]

The U.N. run by the U.S... this is a silly news story.