NYDailyNews

Bush Critical of UN's Snub

By THOMAS M. DeFRANK
Daily News Washington Bureau Chief

WASHINGTON - An irritated President Bush yesterday criticized the United Nations for an "outrageous" vote kicking the U.S. off its human rights panel.

In a response to a question from the Daily News, Bush said at a news conference that he had registered his strong displeasure earlier in the day with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, who was at the White House for a meeting about the AIDS crisis in Africa.

"The decision was an outrageous decision," Bush said he told Annan. "To me, it undermines the whole credibility of this commission — to kick the United States off, one of the great bastions of human rights, and allow Sudan to be on."

Asked how Annan reacted, Bush smiled and said, "He listened carefully."

White House officials said Bush vented privately with Annan for about five minutes after the AIDS meeting.

Despite his strong feelings, Bush also criticized Thursday's House vote to withhold $244 million in back UN dues until the U.S. is restored to the panel.

-- Anonymous, May 12, 2001

Answers

244 million?

well, let's just write that check now, then. eh?

Maybe that 244 million could be misspent for the deficit instead? Or some other worthy cause?

I think I am a worthy cause. Spend it [or just some of it] on me.

-- Anonymous, May 12, 2001