Pay U.N. Debt, Canadian Leader Tells U.S. Montreal Would Welcome The Organization, Chretien Says

Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien chided the United States on Wednesday for failing to pay the more than $1 billion it owes the United Nations. Chretien said he would happily welcome the organization in Montreal if anyone wants to move it.

“It’s inappropriate and it’s wrong for the one who has the biggest debt to use it to get its way,” Chretien said. “We pay our bills monthly, and I don’t like it.”

Chretien, on his first state visit to the United States, told the National Press Club that Canada strongly believes the United Nations is the best mechanism for resolving international conflicts because nations are jointly responsible for its decisions.

He said it was unfortunate that the United Nations could not respond more quickly when international peacekeeping forces were needed because it was short of cash.

The Canadian leader sought U.S. financial support for a Canadian-led U.N. peacekeeping force in Haiti. Canada has said it is willing to stay in Haiti beyond the scheduled mandate, which ends July 31.

He urged the United States to resist the temptations both of isolationism and unilateral action.

“Canada has always been a great supporter of the United Nations and of a multilateral approach to dealing with problems of international affairs or international trade,” he said. “This is particularly important in the post-Cold War world.”

Chretien also said the financial benefit to New York City’s economy from hosting the United Nations outweighs the annual dues the United States pays the organization.

“It’s a big business, the city gets a good return and I would be happy to take the United Nations in Montreal tomorrow,” he said to laughter.

President Clinton has promised to pay the $1 billion-plus debt to the United Nations.

But Sen. Jesse Helms, R-N.C., chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, wants the United Nations to make certain “benchmark reforms” before any payment is made.