US announces $285M cut in 2018-19 UN operating budget
New York, Dec 25 (IBNS): In another crucial move following on the heels of its stance on Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, the US on Sunday announced a major reduction in the U.N. biennial operating budget.
Representative of the United States to the UN, Nikki Haley made the announcement on Sunday and said it 'is a big step in the right direction'.
The US representative said the plan calls for a $285 million cut for the 2018-19 fiscal year.
"The inefficiency and overspending of the United Nations are well known. We will no longer let the generosity of the American people be taken advantage of or remain unchecked," Haley said.
"This historic reduction in spending – in addition to many other moves toward a more efficient and accountable UN – is a big step in the right direction. While we are pleased with the results of this year’s budget negotiations, you can be sure we’ll continue to look at ways to increase the UN’s efficiency while protecting our interests,” Haley said.
The move followed after defying the US warning, 128 nations supported the UN resolution that declared 'America's coronation of Jerusalem as Israel's capital' null and void, on Thursday.
Triggering protests in several countries, the US recently announced its decision to recognise Jerusalem as the Israeli capital.
The US decision was met with several angry reactions from the Islamic world.
Countries like Pakistan, Afghanistan, Jordan, Turkey and Indonesia protested the move.
People in these places took to the streets in large numbers to chant anti-Trump slogans.
Meanwhile, out of the 193 states in the UN General Assembly, nine voted against the resolution, while 35 nations, including Canada and Mexico, did not vote.
The remaining 21 countries did not turn up for the non-binding resolution.
US had warned of tax cuts and before the vote began, reiterated their status once more.
Nikki Haley, US Ambassador to the UN, earlier said, "America will put our embassy in Jerusalem. That is what the American people want us to do and it is the right thing to do. No vote in the United Nations will make any difference on that. But this vote will make a difference on how Americans look at the UN, and on how we look at countries who disrespect us in the UN.”
She also put up a list on Twitter, thanking countries who didn't defy the US decision.
Those who condemned Trump's decision on Jerusalem, said in a text that they expresses deep regret at recent decision made by the US.
"Any decisions and actions which purport to have altered the character, status or demographic composition of the Holy City of Jerusalem have no legal effect, are null and void and must be rescinded in compliance with relevant resolutions of the Security Council," the text read.
The result of the vote also riled Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who called the UN a 'house of lies'.
Trump on Wednesday had blamed several nations of taking help from US and not returning the favour when needed.
The US President told reporters at the White House, "All of these nations that take our money and then they vote against us at the Security Council or they vote against us, potentially, at the Assembly, they take hundreds of millions of dollars and even billions of dollars and then they vote against us."
"Well, we’re watching those votes,” he added. “Let them vote against us; we’ll save a lot. We don’t care.”
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