    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1998, Book I)]
    [April 28, 1998]
    [Page 635]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Letter to Congressional Leaders on International Monetary Fund and
    United Nations Funding
    April 28, 1998

    Dear Mr. Speaker:  (Dear Mr. Leader:)
        I am writing with respect to the treatment of International Monetary
    Fund (IMF) and United Nations (UN) funding in the pending supplemental
    appropriations conference.
        I am pleased that both Houses have approved needed funding for
    domestic disaster relief and defense. I urge Congress to approve this
    funding as I requested it, without violating the ``firewalls'' agreed to
    in last year's balanced budget deal or including objectionable
    extraneous measures.
        However, I am deeply concerned that the conference report may not
    include the funding I have requested for the IMF. Delay or failure to
    approve the full IMF requests could undermine our capacity to deal with
    threats to world economic stability and could leave us unable to protect
    American workers, farmers, and businesses in the event of an escalation
    or spread of the Asian financial crisis or a new crisis.
        I am also deeply concerned by the possibility that the conference
    will not include payment of our UN arrears. The failure to provide the
    full request in this bill could jeopardize our chance to affect
    negotiations starting in May on lowering U.S. dues and would undermine
    U.S. leadership in the international community.
        Some would link passage of IMF funding and UN arrears to legislation
    related to international family planning. There are deep convictions on
    both sides of this debate, which should be settled on its own merits--
    and not used to sidetrack other legislation on matters vital to our
    nation's well-being.
        I urge you in the strongest possible terms to include the full
    requests for the IMF and UN arrears in the bill now in conference.
            Sincerely,

                                                          William J. Clinton

    Note: Identical letters were sent to Newt Gingrich, Speaker of the House
    of Representatives; Trent Lott, Senate majority leader; Thomas A.
    Daschle, Senate minority leader; Richard K. Armey, House majority
    leader; and Richard A. Gephardt, House minority leader.