SG/SM/9940
20 June 2005
Secretary-General Says United States Engagement in UN Reform Very Important, But Does Not Feel Dues Withholding Would Be Productive
NEW YORK, 17 June (UN Headquarters) -- The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan:
Today's vote was one step in the United States legislative process.
The Secretary-General is deeply committed to United Nations reform. He is undertaking a number of management reforms and has laid out a broader agenda of institutional reform and renewal that is being actively discussed by Member States in the run-up to a “reform summit” of heads of government in September.
He believes that United States engagement and leadership in this process is very important, but does not feel that withholding dues is a productive route to achieving reform and indeed that it could jeopardize the outcome of the September summit.
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