The authors -- both members of the Defense and Arms Control Studies Program of the Center for International Studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology -- propose the creation of a standing U.N. military force to improve the world community's rapid response capability to humanitarian or civil unrest. To test this hypothesis, the authors consider whether the availability of such a force would have made significant differences in the effectiveness of past U.N. interventions in Yugoslavia, Somalia, Cambodia, Rwanda, and the Congo.

Helms, Jesse. SAVING THE U.N.: A CHALLENGE TO THE NEXT SECRETARY-GENERAL (Foreign Affairs, vol. 75, no. 5, September/October, 1996, pp. 2-7)

The United Nations has been expanding the scope of its activities well beyond its original mandate and capabilities, and if such a trend continues it represents a threat to the national interests of the United States, contends Helms, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Ironically, he notes, the United States remains the largest financial supporter of the United Nations, contributing $3.5 billion annually. But "if the United Nations is not clearly on the path of real reform well before the year 2000," he says, "then I believe the United States should withdraw" from U.N. membership.

UNITED NATIONS FUNDING: FINANCIAL BURDEN-SHARING BY MEMBER STATES (Congressional Digest, vol. 76, no. 1, January 1997, pp. 9-10, 32)

This article, prepared by the Congressional Research Service (CRS), details how financial assessments for United Nations members -- including participation in specialized agencies, voluntary funds and programs, and peacekeeping operations -- are calculated. Because some member nations do not pay, or pay assessments late, the CRS notes, the United Nations "has had to borrow across accounts, draw down reserves, postpone payments and commitments, and practice what might be described as 'creative bookkeeping.'"

Williams, Ian. HELMS'S COFFEE FOR KOFI (The Nation, vol. 264, no. 8, March 3, 1997, pp: 21-25)

Willams notes that the United States favored Kofi Annan as U.N. secretary general and implied that it would not pay its arrearages to the United Nations if he were not elected. However, he says, now that Annan has the position, Senator Jesse Helms wants organizational reforms before payment is made.

Kitfield, James. NOT-SO-UNITED (National Journal, vol. 29, no. 2, January 11, 1997, pp.69-72)

Kitfield says the United States vetoed a second term for U.N. Secretary General Boutros Boutros-Ghali because he moved too slowly initiating U.N. reforms. The increased U.N. role in peacekeeping has increased budget necessities, and an oversized, inefficient U.N. bureaucracy has left Congress disillusioned, he notes. Meanwhile, the United States's debt to the United Nations, combined with it's open complaints about inefficiency, have drawn much criticism from it's closest allies.

REWORKING THE UN (The Economist, vol.342, issue 8004, February 15, 1997, p. 17)

This editorial discusses the need for U.N. reform, suggesting likely cuts in costs and staff. It says new challenges face the United Nations in economic and social services areas, while at the same time it must address the need for deregulation and streamlining of the secretariat and other U.N. agencies.

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