NEW YORK (Kyodo) Japan could cut its financial support for U.N. peacekeeping operations if the world body does not fix its financial shortcomings, particularly in light of a recent report alleging that between $265 million and $298 million was misused over six years, Ambassador Kenzo Oshima warned Wednesday.
"I feel compelled to say that unless immediate and convincing measures are taken to redress this problem, my government, which currently contributes about 20 percent of the PKO budget, will find it very difficult to maintain domestic support for underwriting peacekeeping operations, both ongoing and new operations, including one possibly in Darfur," Oshima said.
The ambassador to the U.N. made the remarks at a special session of the Security Council, held to discuss corruption in procurement for U.N. peacekeeping operations. In the first meeting of its kind for the top body, the president, U.S. Ambassador John Bolton, opened debate on the issue.
"It goes without saying that in our countries, good governance must ensure that taxpayers' money is spent not only wisely but also accountably, adhering to rules and regulations," Oshima said.
"The same should hold true for intergovernmental bodies, including the United Nations. Member states, whatever the size of their contributions to the organization's budget, are obliged to ask the secretary general and his staff, particularly those with management responsibility, to ensure that the resources entrusted to the U.N. are spent accountably, and any failings or shortcomings in this respect should be immediately and energetically addressed and remedied."