Liaison Newsletter > LIAISON Vol. 2, No. 5, September 1998 - Articles

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Third Worldwide Vigil for the United Nations
by Trudy Goldenberg, UNA Volunteer

On October 23rd at 7:30 p.m., Canadians will have an opportunity to demonstrate their interest in humanity’s future. Public candlelight vigils, organized by the UNAC and the World Federalists of Canada, will take place in front of the U.S. Embassy and other government buildings. The vigil is to be the third annual worldwide act of protest against the delinquency of the UN’s debtor states.

The vigils will, for the third time, mark the UN’s most financially troubled period since its inception. While it struggles to stay afloat, it is owed $2.5 billion. The United States alone owes the UN $1.5 billion, making it the major delinquent country. The debt exists while the UN’s annual core budget costs the U.S. only 0.5 per cent of the American military budget. In fact, the amount costs the U.S. far less than a single B2 bomber aircraft.

The United States is not the only country owing to the UN. Other debtor states include the Russian Republic, Ukraine and Brazil. Cases of late payers are Japan, Germany and Britain. By not paying or by continually paying late, UN member states fail to honour their treaty obligations to the UN, effectively breaking international law.

Arrears and unpaid dues have pushed the UN into a precarious financial situation. The Organization has had to dip into its peacekeeping funds to cover regular budget expenses. Furthermore, the UN has had difficulty reimbursing countries that provide peacekeeping troops and equipment. This predicament threatens to compromise the UN’s current work.

The long term consequences of the UN’s lack of funding are serious. While rapid economic globalization continues to exacerbate environmental, labour, and other problems, it is treacherous to choke the UN’s funds. Now more than ever, a strong and competent UN is needed to work globally to improve human rights, food security, health, peace and disarmament.

The Third Worldwide Vigil, on the eve of UN Day, is a powerful way for ordinary citizens to speak out against governments’ weakening commitment to the UN. As in the two past years, people in more than 45 cities will participate in the event. Citizens in New York, Tokyo, Bombay, Penang and Santo Domingo, among many others, will gather at dusk outside US embassies, consulates and government office buildings. Canadians can make a powerful statement to their media, communities and politicians at the candlelight vigils in Ottawa and Yellowknife this year.

For more information on the Third Worldwide Vigil for the United Nations, telephone Elliott Spagat at UNA-Canada at (613) 232-5751 ext. 227 or the World Federalists of Canada at (613) 232-0647. To learn more about this event and others, see www.unac.org (UNAC) or www.web.net/~wfacnat/wfc.html (World Federalists.)