UN/Treaties

UN leader willing to meet lawmakers amid push to cut funding

by Nikita Vladimirov 01/13/17 04:41 PM ET

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is willing to talk with U.S. lawmakers, an aide said Friday, as some GOP senators push to cut funding for the U.N. over a controversial resolution on Israel.

“The secretary-general very much welcomes an opportunity to discuss any issues with U.S. lawmakers,” U.N. spokeswoman Eri Kaneko said Friday, according to Reuters.

“We’re always eager and available to meet with U.S. lawmakers as needed,” she added.

On Thursday, Republican Sens. Lindsey Graham (S.C.) and Ted Cruz (Texas) proposed legislation to cut funding to the organization after the U.N. Security Council passed a resolution condemning Israeli settlements.

{mosads}”Congress must hold the U.N. accountable and use our leverage as its largest contributor to push for the repeal of this resolution, making it clear to the world that Congress stands unequivocally against efforts to undermine Israel,” Cruz said.

Graham also criticized the U.N. while blasting President Obama’s administration for not using its power to veto the resolution. The Obama administration broke longstanding protocol of shielding Israel from U.N. reproaches.

“I begged the U.N. months before, don’t put me in this box. This was John Kerry and Obama taking a slap at Israel,” Graham said, referring to the secretary of State.

Kaneko said Friday that the U.N. looks forward to a “continuing strong partnership” with the U.S. under the incoming Donald Trump administration.

“We look forward, under the new administration, to the continuing strong partnership between the U.S. and the U.N. especially in the three main pillars of human rights, peace and security and development,” she said.