UNESCO is practically broke and may have to cut down on its activities before next year, according to UNESCO sources here who said that this “financial crisis” is a consequence of America’s refusal to pay its contributions as a protest against the organization’s anti-Israeli stand.
The sources said the U.S. owes nearly $2 million on its 1973-74 contribution and has not paid its share of $19.7 million for 1975 nor has Congress been asked to appropriate an equivalent sum for 1976. Altogether, these sources say the U.S. will owe UNESCO over $41 million by the end of the year, or a quarter of the organization’s budget.
Congress voted in November 1974 to stop participating In UNESCO’s budget following the organization’s general conference adoption of a number of anti-Israeli resolutions. UNESCO officials believed at that time that the Arab states as well as the Soviet Union would make available the missing funds. These officials now say these funds have not been provided and that UNESCO’s financial situation is “highly critical.”
HOPE TO FIND SOLUTION
The organization’s director general and other top officials have tried to negotiate both with the Arabs and the United States for a modus vivendi: a more “moderate” approach to Israel and an American promise to resume its payments, UNESCO officials say that “both sides have proven themselves adamant: the Arabs have refused to budge from their anti-Israeli stand and the Americans have demanded that UNESCO drop its politicization.”
The officials hope, however, that some solution will be found before the next meeting of the Executive Council due to take place next fall in Nairobi.
Should a compromise not be found. UNESCO will have to cut back on its projects and dismiss part of its staff. On the other hand, the Arabs and the Soviet Union will probably demand the implementation of UNESCO’s charter depriving members who do not meet their financial obligations of the right to vote. Israel, which has scrupulously paid its UNESCO dues, will thus risk finding itself practically alone within the organization.
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