U.N. Dues

Your Nov. 17 editorial, “Pragmatism on U.N. Dues,” lauds the president for compromising on international family planning practices so that Congress would agree to begin paying our arrears. The cost: “bending slightly on the principle of abortion rights.” The plain effect of this is a reversal of the administration’s long-standing policy of not sacrificing women’s health for short-term gain. The moneys from this capitulation would go to international family planning agencies that do not necessarily advocate abortion, but may want to mention the availability of that option to their clients if it is legal.

Ironically, the legislation as crafted would prohibit any mention of abortion, even if it is legal in a particular country. This is a blatant infringement on free speech, an echo of the domestic “gag rule” imposed on clinics that President Clinton rescinded at the beginning of his tenure. It is unseemly that in his zeal to win a deal for paying our U.N. dues, he reversed himself on a principle that is not so much about abortion as about interfering with doctors’ and family planning agencies’ ability to counsel patients about all their options.

People who believe in “American values” should protest the continuing of this global gag rule. This was not a pragmatic compromise, but rather an insulting intrusion into what can and cannot be discussed between a woman and her health care provider.

STEPHEN J. MATHER

Anaheim