U.N. Owed Nearly $1 Billion in Dues

The financially strapped United Nations is owed nearly $1 billion in unpaid dues, a U.N. spokesman said on Friday.

He said $172.9 million had so far been paid in 1988 contributions, leaving another $597.6 million to be collected for the current year.

Unpaid budget dues for 1987 and all previous years amount to nearly $340.9 million, making a total outstanding of $938.5 million.

Secretary General Javier Perez de Cuellar has often complained that the organization’s money troubles stem from the failure of member states to pay their contributions promptly and in full.