240. Telegram From the Mission to the United Nations to the Department of State1
3120. United Nations Financial Situation.
Plimpton spent forty-five minutes with Secretary General describing very serious concern of Congress and executive branch of US Govt at lack of improvement in UN financial situation and necessity for immediate steps to be taken in attempt to bring about improvement. He gave SYG up-to-date figures as to arrears and bond purchases, pointing out lamentable number of countries which have not paid anything for peace keeping operations or subscribed for bonds.
Plimpton pointed out that in his consultations with Congressional leaders re US contribution to UN peacekeeping operations, he found acute awareness of failure by many member states to pay arrears or purchase bonds. Question being asked why US should do far more than its fair share in supporting UN if institution itself not making determined efforts to put its house in order and if its members, particularly the uncommitted states to whom the UN should be far more important than it is to the US, are not doing their share. Many members of Congress doubt wisdom of US continuing to contribute at anything like past level for UN operations in Middle East and Congo. As result of this Congressional attitude, US was finding it extremely difficult to take a position in Working Group of 21 on question of how peacekeeping operations should be financed. It appeared almost certain that US could not accept a mandatory assessment in excess of 33–1/3 percent.
[Page 532]Plimpton then pointed out importance of Secretary General taking personal interest in this matter and giving it very highest priority. He argued that while Secretary General could probably do little directly with the Communist countries and France, he could take strong lead, particularly with the UN-committed countries, to develop an atmosphere which would emphasize necessity that all countries support the UN financially, evidence GA’s intent to apply Art. 19 of the Charter to the Communist countries and France when appropriate, and pressure them through feeling of diplomatic isolation. He should use Eugene Black as much as possible to induce the smaller countries to commence to pay their arrears and to make bond purchases. It was vitally important that some signs of progress be evident within the next month or two.
The Secretary General said that he was in full agreement with the US attitude on this matter and assured Plimpton he would give his personal attention to it. He pointed out, however, that the primary cause of most of the arrears was political and not the failure to press governments for payment.
Turner (UN), described discussion which had already taken place between Black and Secretariat officials (previously reported to Department).2
Secretary General closed by saying that he would have a further discussion with Black February 28, and would report to Plimpton the following week what action was being taken.