(WASHINGTON) – U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today expressed concern about reported ties between the United Nations' Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the International Islamic Relief Organization (IIRO), a Saudi Arabian-based charity whose affiliates are linked to extremist networks worldwide. The U.S. Treasury Department has listed IIRO entities in the Philippines and Indonesia as sponsors of violent Islamism with close links to Al-Qaeda and the Taliban. Statement of Ros-Lehtinen:
Reports that UNICEF has signed a 'memorandum of understanding' with the IIRO, a charity whose affiliates have been singled out by the U.S. Government as sponsors of violent Islamism, are cause for great concern.
While the UN may choose to draw a distinction between the organization's headquarters in Saudi Arabia and its affiliates, the U.S., which contributes more than $100 million annually to UNICEF, should resist such a blatant disregard for its own national security or best practices.
Sadly, the allegations are not unprecedented. Last month, reports surfaced that UN Development Program (UNDP) had contracts with dozens of companies and individuals who had been listed by the United States and the United Nations as sponsors of extremist organizations.
American contributions to the UN, which continue to find their way into the coffers of oppressive regimes and sponsors of violent extremism, are not to be taken for granted. As Americans face their own difficulties and try to make every dollar count, Congress and the Administration should consider carefully both the lack of oversight at the UN and the continuing and unapologetic misuse of American taxpayers' money.
Senator Tom Coburn's activity on the Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, and International Security
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