Ambassador Bill Richardson U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations Address to the Creve Couer Club’s 100th Anniversary of the George Washington Day Banquet, Peoria, Illinois April 8, 1998

USUN PRESS RELEASE #66 (98)
April 8, 1998

NOTE TO CORRESPONDENTS

Peoria, Illinois--U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Bill Richardson tonight traveled to middle America to explain the importance of America's continued engagement in the international arena and urged Congress to pay off the U.S. debt to the UN.

Speaking at the Creve Couer Club's 100th Amiversary of the George Washington Day Banquet in Peoria, Illinois, Ambassador Richardson warned that, "...Congress' failure to pay our dues could result in grave consequences for America's national security."

Richardson explained that the threats and challenges to American interests are far from clear cut. He cited multilateral issues -- such as environmental degradation, ethnic conflict, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, international terrorism and the role of women -- that are sure to take center stage as the 21st century approaches. He said by working in concert with other countries, America will be better equipped to tackle issues which threaten world peace and America's security.

"The question we must face as a nation is how does America maintain its position of international leadership in order to maximize the vast opportunities of the future, while ensuring that the great international threats of our era are minimized," said Richardson. "...First and foremost, we as a nation cannot afford to turn our backs to the world. What's more, the evolving global challenges of the 21st century serve to underscore the critical importance and unique role that international organizations play in protecting the interests of the American people."

"The Chamber of Commerce understands, Caterpillar understands and your Congressman Ray LaHood understands that our involvement in the UN is good for American business and it's good for American workers," Richardson told the Peoria audience. "The fact is, whether it's helping American businesses sell their products abroad or whether it's feeding refugees, fighting disease or performing peacekeeping operations that provide hope in places where hope is truly a precious commodity, the UN is helping a better world take shape."


AMBASSADOR BILL RICHARDSON CREVE COUER CLUB'S lOOth ANNIVERSARY OF THE GEORGE WASHINGTON DAY BANQUET PEORIA, ILLINOIS APRIL 8, 1998

Thank you to Ray LaHood for that kind introduction. Let me also thank the Illinois National Guard for that wonderful escort. From Bosnia to the Middle East, the Illinois National Guard has consistently put themselves in harm's way and I salute their efforts in upholding American interests across the globe.

I also want to thank Rex Linder of the Creve Couer Club, Stephen Trachtenberg from George Washington University and of course Henry Holling of Caterpillar who helped put this event together. I also must acknowledge Bob Michel, the former minority leader who is here this evening.

As many of you know, besides his many gifts, Bob Michel is also an excellent singer as is your former Mayor Jim Maloof. I understand you guys might do a duet later. Actually after talking to Bud Grieves and Ray, it seems that the quality of entertainment offered by your public servants has significantly diminished. I hope this won't be an issue come election time.

Let me also say that it's an honor to be asked to speak at the l0Oth George Washington Day Banquet. This evening, I follow in the footsteps of other great Americans such as George Bush, Newt Gingrich, Bob Dole, Tom Foley and of course Mike Ditka.

Looking over the list of past speakers I noticed there weren't too many Democrats who have been on this podium in the past. So, it's probably for the better that I misplaced a copy of my original speech; "The Liberal Welfare State - Good for America's Future." Actually, the people of Peoria are privileged to have been represented by some of the great leaders of American history: Abraham Lincoln, Everett Dirksen, Robert Michel and of course none other than Ray LaHood.

In fairness to Ray he gets to spend a lot more time in the Speaker's Chair than Bob Michel ever did. Maybe that will be Ray's legacy. President Lincoln got a Memorial, Dirksen got a Senate Office Building, Bob Michel has a lifetime achievement award and Ray LaHood will get a chair. In all seriousness though, Ray LaHood's most important legacy may be his efforts to return civility to the halls of Congress. Congress should be a place of compromise and not confrontation and I certainly applaud Ray's work to reinstill a spirit of friendship and cooperation into Congress.

I also want to congratulate the town of Peoria for honoring one of our greatest presidents - George Washington. Like the era when George Washington was President, America finds itself in a time of great change and evolution. However, the aspirations of Washington are no different from those we face today - strengthening our democracy and ensuring that all Americans share in America's promise. But, the means for achieving these goals are far greater in scope than anything Washington could have imagined.

As a young nation, Washington warned Americans about the dangers of entangling alliances. Today, as the world's strongest nation, our security is tied directly both to our political, military and economic alliances as well as the progress of freedom and prosperity, not just here in America, but around the globe. Unlike just a half century ago, the issues that America faces are far different and in many ways, more complex.

The fact is, at the dawn of the 21st century, transnational, multilateral issues such as environmental degradation, ethnic conflict, tbe proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, international terrorism and the role of women will increasingly take center stage in the international arena. However, our ability to deal with these threats and embrace new opportunities is being handicapped by our continued failure to support the United Nations and pay our outstanding dues to the organization.

As many of you may know, America is today a debtor nation at the United Nations - to the tune of one billion dollars. Last year, legislation to finally pay off our outstanding debt was held hostage by a small group of Congressmen who attached unrelated domestic issues to the bill. At a time when the international situation may be more complicated than ever, and the threats and challenges to American interests are far from clear-cut, Congress' failure to pay our dues could result in grave consequences for America's national security.

Today, we live in an era when the greatest dangers to America come as much from a single drop of VX nerve gas as they do from nuclear-tipped warheads. Our national borders provide scant defense from the flow of deadly drugs, criminal enterprises, or the machinations of economic change.

Of course, we also live in a world that may be safer, freer and more prosperous than any other time in human history. More than half the world's people live under governments of their own choosing. And, across the globe, people are living longer, children are receiving a better education, and millions are making the most of newfound economic possibilities.

America faces these challenges at an unrivalled position of economic, political, military and cultural strength. To be sure, with that vast power and influence comes the enormous responsibility of global leadership. The question we must face as a nation is how does America maintain its position of international leadership in order to maximize the vast opportunities of the future, while ensuring that the great international threats of our era are minimized.

Certainly, there are no easy answers. But, first and foremost, we as a nation cannot afford to turn our backs to the world. What's more, the evolving global challenges of the 21st century serve to underscore the critical importance and unique role that international organizations play in protecting the interests of the American people.

In Iraq, while the American military obviously played a preeminent role in deterring Saddam Hussein, it is UN inspectors -- on the ground -- who are working to discover and destroy Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass destruction program. All the weapons in our arsenal could not prevent or fix Southeast Asia's reeling economic fortunes. Indeed, we must rely on the intervention of international organizations, such as the International Monetary Fund, to prevent a domino effect of financial collapse in the region.

Moreover, on a daily basis - with often little fanfare -- our participation in the UN system is furthering America's national economic, political and diplomatic interests.

Consider for example the Food and Agriculture Organization. The FAO coordinates international plant, pest and animal disease control protecting U.S. farmers from billions in losses. The FAO provides U.S. farmers with access to global farm data. And, its trade standardization body sets food product safety and quality standards, protecting American consumers and improving market access for U.S. agricultural producers.

In fact, a recent study by this group was key to a World Trade Organization ruling, which kept European markets open to U.S. beef sales. In layman's terms that means $300-$400 million per year for farmers here in Illinois and across the country.

But, as things currently stand in Congress, the FAO as well as the International Labor Organization and the World Health Organization will not receive any outstanding arrears from the United States. While America is sitting on the sidelines, the EU and Japan are using our nonpayment of arrears as a means of enhancing their own influence in these organizations - to the detriment of American businesses and American workers.

That's why the U.S. Chamber of Commerce strongly supports America paying its UN arrears. It's also why Caterpillar, which knows a thing or two about exporting, has taken up this cause. I know that Caterpillar's CEO Donald Fites met with Secretary of State Albright last week to discuss this issue. And, let me just say, I appreciate all of Caterpillar's work in trying to get Congress to fulfill its financial obligations to the UN and the IMF as well.

Caterpillar understands, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce understands and your Congressman Ray LaHood understands that our involvement in the UN is not only good for American agriculture, it's good for American workers and frankly, it's good for Peoria.

The fact is, whether it's helping American businesses sell their products abroad or whether it's feeding refugees, fighting disease or performing peacekeeping operations that provide hope in places where hope is truly a precious commodity, the UN is helping a better world take shape. Let me assure you: If the UN didn't take responsibility for these issues then either the United States would have to have a much greater financial burden or they wouldn't get addressed at all.

There are some international goals that America cannot achieve on its own. And, by sharing the burden of global peace and security, the UN and other international organizations are serving as essential tools of American foreign policy. That's why the people of Peoria as well as all Americans should be concerned about our deadbeat status in New York. The failure to pay our arrears is causing real damage to America interests and credibility both at the UN and throughout the world.

For example, on a number of issues from the extension of peacekeeping operations to sanctions regimes, America's national interests and objectives were compromised by the failure to pay our dues. Second, for several years, the United States has sought to lower the percentage of our annual dues to the United Nations. Our efforts were gaining strength up until the moment this legislation was derailed. Indeed, an opportunity to restore American leadership and save taxpayers as much as $100 million per year was lost.

Now, our friends and partners in the United Nations have recently given us a second chance by agreeing to reopen the issue. If we fail now, the window of opportunity to lower our assessment will close for three years.

Finally, the continued failure to pay our arrears is weakening America's preeminent status as an international leader. Other nations that America depends upon for military, economic or political support have good reason to doubt our sincerity and commitment when as the world's richest and most powerful nation we fail to uphold our international responsibilities.

There is no question that America remains the world's indispensable nation. When other nations are simply unable to convince North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons, or deter Saddam Hussein from once again plunging the Persian Gulf into bloody conflict, there must be a nation with the vision, the will and the strength to do what the international community requires, but cannot achieve on its own. From Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin to the beaches of Iwo Jima, America has upheld this tremendous responsibility for more than 50 years. Just ask Bob Michel, who was many of you know was wounded in World War II, fighting for freedom and democracy.

But, as the calls for our active engagement grow, we know that America possesses neither the resources nor the wherewithal to be the world's policeman. We cannot guarantee a world that is stable, at peace and full of hope for the future by flying solo. Only by working through international organizations such as the United Nations will America he able to effectively meet the vast international challenges of the 21st century. In my view, the UN enjoys the support of the American people, it deserves the support of Congress, and it demands the full force of American leadership and engagement.

This century has been one of great contrasts: We have seen men and women journey though outer space as we have seen humankind plumb the depths of its own potential for evil. As we approach the dawn of a new century and a new millennium these threats and opportunities face all Americans. In recent years - from the savage killing fields of Rwanda to Sniper Alley in Sarajevo - we have seen cruel reminders that this remains a dangerous world and that humankind is still quite capable of great inhumanity.

In my view, America's course of action should be clear. We must willingly embrace, not selfishly evade, the responsibilities, obligations and challenges that the imperative of American leadership entails. Only then can a safer, freer and more prosperous future take shape -- both here in America and around the world.