Editorial: Coburn right to question U.N. plan
The Oklahoman
June 20, 2006
WE'LL leave, for the moment, the overall merits of a $1.7 billion plan to refurbish the United Nations headquarters in New York. A U.N. official said recently the organization's building is among the worst in the city. The question is whether the project money is being spent wisely and efficiently.
That's what Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Muskogee, wants to ensure by demanding greater transparency from U.N. officials managing the project. Coburn, chairman of the Senate subcommittee that oversees U.N. finances, said the headquarters overhaul might not get congressional backing unless the world body discloses more information about its budgeting and spending.
Coburn's concern, in part, is a 45 percent increase in the project's cost since last year. The U.N.'s problem, which isn't new, is that many Americans don't believe the world body properly manages taxpayer dollars from the United States and other contributing nations. Compounding the perception, in Coburn's view, is that outside officials can't see how the U.N. is spending money on the renovation project.
The United States is the U.N.'s largest donor and its host. It's not unreasonable for the U.S. to expect answers to its questions. The U.N. would be wise to cooperate. Defensiveness will only raise more suspicions, which will (and should) greatly complicate congressional approval of this expensive project.
Senator Tom Coburn
Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, and International Security
340 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510
Phone: 202-224-2254 Fax: 202-228-3796
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