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Old 12-18-2006, 14:20 PM   #14 (permalink)
highsea
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Join Date: 12-10-04
Location: Seattle, WA
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Quote:
Originally Posted by crooks View Post
...japan and germany are the UN's two biggest contributors
The US is the biggest contributor, both to the operating budget (22%) and the peacekeeping budget (27%). Japan and Germany are second and third at about 19.5% and 9.5% (of the operating budget) each. The US is the only country that pays the cap (maximum) amount every year.

The US Congress passed legislation limiting the peacekeeping contribution to 25% pending some reforms (that haven't happened), so there are arrears building up. IIRC Congress recently passed a bill that allows that to be payed down.

Germany's addition would overtilt the SC towards Europe unless France decided to step down (not too likely...) But Russia, France, Britain, and Germany all at once would not be that great.

Japan would be okay.

Brazil would be okay, but explain that to Argentina.

India would be okay, but the NPT is a sticky point.

There will be no new vetos, wishing for that is like hoping Santa is real. No P5 country is going to dilute their own power, and it's impossible to get a resolution with any teeth passed as it is.

Any expanded SC will only increase the deadlock, but it's so bad now, who cares?
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