Decision to Cut Support for the U.N. Population Fund, Malicious Gossip Again

US government had promised to support USD 34000000 to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) this year, but determined to withdraw this decision on July 22.

State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said the decision was made after the administration concluded ¡°U.N. Population Fund moneys go to Chinese agencies that carry out coercive programs`` that involve abortion. Instead, the government will support USAID”. USAID has fewer activities than UNFPA as an independent US organization which has helped women and children of undeveloped areas.

According to the Associated Press, Europe, Canada, Japan and the United Nations have been frustrated and disappointed with this administration`s decisions.

Being disappointed with this decision, Thoraya Obaid, executive director of the IMFPA said on July 23 “Women and children will die because of this decision,`` She said $34 million would have been enough to prevent 2 million unwanted pregnancies and over 77,000 infant and child deaths

Sie Feng, spokesman of Chinese Embassy at Washington refuted, “Bush’s decision invoking that China Family Planning helps the coercive abortion programs.”

U.S. government fact-finding team recently wrote in its report We find no evidence that UNFPA has knowingly supported or participated in the management of a program of coercive abortion,``

US press said that this administration’s decisions would include the political ulterior motive. On July 23, the New York Times, criticized that Bush’s administration tried to see the superior wants of the conservatives who object to the abortion, ahead of congressional elections in November.

Secretary of State Colin Powell praised the UNFPA in the public hearing of the Upper House last year, saying, “The agency has taken the very valuable activities”. The TIME analyzed “In a power struggle of Conservatives and Moderates, the conservatives become influential”.

Some members of Democratic Party were concerned and worried “Bush’s administration magnificently interpreted the revised bill of 1985 which prohibited the donation of the government to organizations which support the coercive abortion. Accordingly, it is difficult to support WHO, UNICEF or Export-Import Bank.

Sung-Kyu Kim kimsk@donga.com