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Posted 10:46 PM
by Mary
This week, President Bush submitted his annual budget request to Congress for next year (Fiscal Year 2008). Regrettably, the President's budget shortchanges UN peacekeeping operations by $500 million - despite the fact that the U.S. government has agreed, by treaty, to pay our fair share of these missions. Through its permanent seat on the Security Council, the U.S. explicitly approves all peacekeeping operations, including those in conflict zones like Lebanon, Haiti, and Sudan.
Make sure your Representatives know that our UN dues are a commitment we must honor and that UN peacekeeping is a wise investment. Support for the UN's peacekeeping operations ensures that Americans don't have to pay all the bills or take all the risks in securing peace around the world.
This is a critical time for the United Nations, which has been asked to take on an increasing number of peacekeeping missions. With a new Secretary-General at the helm, the UN is taking a leading role in addressing today's critical challenges by promoting democracy in Iraq, stemming nuclear proliferation in Iran and North Korea, and assisting the people of Darfur.
But to do this important work, the UN needs support from all of its Member States, particularly the United States. The U.S. is showing less than its full support for the UN by failing to honor its financial commitments to international organizations.
ACT NOW: Ask Congress to support full UN funding today!
Peacekeeping is part of the International Affairs Budget, which represents only about 1% of government spending. Investing in the UN is not only a matter of keeping good faith with commitments our nation has made, it is also a means of improving America's international standing and maintaining peace across the community of nations. Fully funding the UN is vital to accomplishing these goals, and we need your voice to support this message.
Send a message to your Congressional leaders urging them to address the $500 million shortfall for UN peacekeeping. Our national security - and the cause of peace around the world - depends on it.
Sincerely,
Your Friends at the Better World Campaign
www.BetterWorldCampaign.org
