DISSENT: Paying Our Dues

Ought implies can. Although we agree that the Republican tactic of holding world leadership hostage to abortion politics is distasteful, the staff is foolish to criticize President Clinton for his failure to reach a deal that has no strings attached--a pipe dream in the current Congress.

Because Clinton has been given the opportunity to waive some of the agreement's restrictions, the compromise is not so devastating that it justifies prolonging America's debt to the United Nations (UN).

It is shameful that the United States' status in the UN has been marred by our embarrassing unwillingness to pay our share of dues. As a leader in the world community, America expects other nations to pay their dues and obey United Nations mandates.

America's hypocritical failure to support the very institution it created has jeopardized the interests of both the world and our own country.

This is especially significant at a time when the demands on UN resources are increasing around the globe. UN humanitarian efforts and peacekeeping missions will ensure that the dues will be money well spent.

Clinton will not be able to negotiate a better deal than this one without a change in Congressional leadership so that they can easily remove the current offending conditions.

In the case of the UN, it is better to compromise and wait for political change than to not compromise and wait for political change. Responsible politics should compel us to accept this relatively painless agreement and pay the UN dues now.