An unworthy maneuver

The United States likes to think of itself as the leader of the free world. Yet the current maneuverings in Washington over repayment of the US$1. 3 billion owed to the United Nations are hardly worth of a nation that aspires to such a role.

Republican congressmen have put off approving repayment of a small fraction of the debt in a fit of pique after UN Secretary- General Kofi Annan quite reasonably pointed out that Washington risked losing its vote in the world body if it persisted in failing to pay its dues.

Even when they eventually do endorse it, the U.S. lawmakers are insistent on adding an unrelated antiabortion measure. This will leave President Bill Clinton with no choice but to veto the whole bill, so further delaying both these repayments and funds which were promised to help the International Monetary Fund ease the Asian financial crisis.

Such childish antics do no credit to the U.S. or its international credibility. The next time a crisis erupts over Iraq, Washington will have only itself to blame if other member states pay less attention to the views of a nation which will not even honor its debts.

-- South China Morning Post