The administration of President Donald Trump is proposing to almost completely stop funding for the US participation in NATO, the UN and a number of other international organizations. The Washington Post reported this, citing an internal document that was obtained by journalists.
According to WP, the document contains a proposal to reduce the State Department's budget by 48% - to USD 28.4 billion – by reducing spending on humanitarian programs, health care and contributions to international structures.
“According to the document, funding for the UN, NATO and 20 other organizations would be terminated, while point contributions would remain for a small number of organizations, including the IAEA and the International Civil Aviation Organization,” WP reports.
The proposals also provide for a reduction of up to 55% in funding for aid and health programs, and up to 90% for international organizations. Separately, the document proposes to completely stop supporting international peacekeeping missions due to their ineffectiveness.
In addition, the initiative concerns personnel changes in the State Department - it concerns reducing salaries, canceling bonuses and per diems, merging positions, and restricting the hiring of new employees.
The document is dated April 10. It was signed by Douglas Pitkin, the Director of the Department of State’s Bureau of Budget & Planning (BP), and the former director of the Office of Foreign Assistance, Peter Marocco, who has already left his post.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio was given until Tuesday to submit his comments and suggestions. The White House plans to submit the draft to Congress for consideration by the end of April.
Yevropeiska Pravda notes that this is precisely the proposal, the implementation of which will require the approval of Congress.
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