U.N. Reform in the 1997 General Assembly (CRS Report for Congress)
| Release Date |
March 23, 1998 |
| Report Number |
98-275 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
Lois B. McHugh, Foreign Affairs and National Defense Division |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
Summary:
This short report provides background and summarizes U.N. reforms considered and adopted by
the
1997 U.N. General Assembly. During 1997, Congress considered legislation which would pay some
of the U.S. arrears (debt) to the United Nations, the U.N. Specialized Agencies, and other
international organizations but only in exchange for specific reforms adopted and implemented by the
United Nations. Although the legislation did not pass, Secretary of State Albright has maintained that
arrears payment is one of her top priorities for 1998, and in fact, a top priority for legislative action
this spring. (1) As the issue was being debated in Congress, discussions and
decisions on reform were
continuing at the United Nations under the leadership of the newly appointed Secretary-General. In
November and December 1997, the U.N. General Assembly approved two resolutions which
endorsed most of U.N. Secretary-General Annan's reform proposals. These included efforts to
streamline the administrative structure of the U.N. system, reduce the budget, and improve
coordination among similar activities. The General Assembly established the U.N. Office of Internal
Oversight (Inspector General), as a reform measure in 1994. A recent GAO report, required by U.S.
legislation, noted that its structure and procedures are in place, but because GAO does not have
access to all its reports, audits and records, its independence cannot be ascertained. Readers may also
wish to see the following related CRS products: CRS Report 97-711, CRS Report 95-571, and CRS Issue Brief IB86116.
1. Â For information on the Congressional debate, see CRS Report 97-711, U.N. Funding, Payment of Arrears
and Linkage to Reform: Legislation in the 105th Congress .
