NEWS & VIEWS
from a CATHOLIC perspective

      WASHINGTON, DC (CWNews.com) - President Bill Clinton vetoed a final bill sent to him by the 105th Congress, which adjourned on Wednesday. He said he could not agree to pay the $1 billion in back dues owed to the United Nations with the attached provision that bans the use of US funds for population control groups that promote abortion overseas.

      Congressional supporters of the provision decried Clinton's veto. "This member deeply regrets that the president of the United States has jeopardized America's foreign policy leadership by vetoing this legislation," Rep. Doug Bereuter, R-Nebraska, said after Clinton's veto message was read in the House. He add, "He apparently believes that US tax dollars should be used by foreign non-governmental organizations to lobby for abortion."

      The veto endangers the US vote in the UN's General Assembly next year according to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan who criticized the US for failing to pay its obligations. The US may narrowly avoid the loss of voting privileges because it paid about $347 million in funds appropriated in other bills. The US' Security Council seat is not endangered.