In Congress, UN chief calls US 'deadbeat' donor

[Demeter]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hZoIzrnz8PydRpKvHop7vL4W-h7QD96S5DF80

By JOHN HEILPRIN

WASHINGTON (AP) — A day after his White House meeting with President Barack Obama, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon raised congressional hackles by calling the United States a "deadbeat" donor to the world body.

Ban's criticism Wednesday of the U.N.'s single biggest backer irked some members of the House Foreign Relations Committee. They were generally supportive of his leadership but voiced concern about U.N. efforts in areas from Sudan to Somalia.

"He used the word 'deadbeat' when it came to characterizing the United States. I take great umbrage (over) that," Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, the panel's senior Republican, said after an hour-long, closed-door meeting. "We certainly contribute a whole lot of U.S. taxpayer dollars to that organization. We do not deserve such a phrase."

Interviewed after the session, Ban said he had wanted to draw attention to the fact that the U.S. agrees to pay 22 percent of the U.N.'s $4.86 billion operating budget, but is perennially late with its dues — and now is about $1 billion behind on its payments.

That figure is "soon to be $1.6 billion," Ban emphasized. Asked if he'd used the word "deadbeat" during the meeting, he replied, "Yes, I did — I did," then laughed mischievously....

[Prometheus Bound]

1. deadbeat: noun 1. a person who deliberately avoids paying debts. 2. a loafer; sponger.

[madrchsod]

2. 8 years of bush....