Dick Lugar: “I ask that Senators support my amendment because it is the right thing to do. It is the right thing to pay our debts and…”

“I ask that Senators support my amendment because it is the right thing to do. It is the right thing to pay our debts and to meet our contractual obligations in support of the United Nations, a vigorous vehicle for the conduct of our foreign policy. The dispute that we have today is over two different tacks on which the Senators differ in terms of our effectiveness. I believe that the Lugar amendment is not only the right thing to do but I believe it is the most effective way to bring about reform, and to bring about cooperation with our allies, not only at the United Nations but in a host of international trade issues, in NATO and NATO-related concerns, and all of the planning that is vital to our foreign policy. It makes no sense, Mr. President, to deny our allies funds that we owe them and to expect that they are going to be generous or thoughtful in negotiating settlements with us in a range of agreements around the globe. So in terms of both the principle as well as its practicality, I believe the best course is to pay our debt and to do so promptly in a straightforward way and to negotiate firmly for reform of the United Nations, as we are doing, and as we will continue to do, after recognizing that 183 other countries are involved. There must finally be agreement with them, too. I thank the Chair.”