US to lose voting rights at UN body
The United Stated is set to be stripped of its voting rights at the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization as Washington has failed to pay its dues to the world�™s cultural agency for three years.
The Paris-based UNESCO gave Palestine full membership in October 2011, forcing the US to cut all funding to the UN agency.
US contributions, $80 million a year, account for 22 percent of the agency�™s overall budget. According to UNESCO rules, Washington has until Friday morning to resume funding or it loses its voting rights.
�œWe won�™t be able to have the same clout,” Phyllis Magrab, the Washington-based US National Commissioner for UNESCO told the Associated Press. �œIn effect, we (now won�™t) have a full tool box. We�™re missing our hammer.”
The UNESCO tension has renewed criticism of the US for laws that force an automatic funding cut for any international organization that recognizes Palestine as a member.
The Palestinian Ambassador to UNESCO says other countries will make up for the US funding shortfall. Elias Sanbar expressed regret about Washington�™s decision on the issue.
The concern is also resonating in the US Congress.
�œThe United States must not voluntarily forfeit its leadership in the world community,” Rep. Keith Ellison, a Democrat from Minnesota, told AP in an email.
The loss of vote will come as a blow to the US, since Holocaust awareness was one of the areas Washington aggressively promoted in UNESCO�™s agenda.
HJ/HJ
Source: Press TV
Source: http://rinf.com/alt-news/breaking-news/us-to-lose-voting-rights-at-un-body/
I wish the US would lose its vote on the Security Council too….