Funds for U.N.

Thanks to reporter Don Shannon for the detailed (June 22) report on U.S. funding of the United Nations. It is outrageous for the United States to reduce its contribution to the United Nations to 15% of the U.N. budget. For perspective, let me add:

If the United States, the richest nation, paid dues proportionate to its ability to pay based on national income, it would pay more than 30% of the U.N. budget! However, this doesn’t happen because the General Assembly ruled that no member shall pay more than 25%. Thus, the United States has been paying 25%.

If the cuts, as faithfully reported in The Times, are executed, they could mean the demise of the United Nations. Further, if we don’t pay properly we could certainly lose our vote in the General Assembly and the our veto as well as our vote in the Security Council. This is no way to treat the United Nations, which this planet, including the United States, needs desperately to help in solving peacefully the international problems confronting the nations. There is no sane alternative to this international body.

LAURA FRANTZ INGMAN

South Pasadena