Here's another Bush accomplishment....
By RANJAN ROY, Associated Press
UNITED NATIONS (December 4, 2002 12:09 a.m. EST) - The U.N. agency which helps poor countries reduce population by promoting women's education and health care urged the United States on Tuesday to reconsider its decision to withhold $34 million on grounds that U.N. programs promote abortion.
The lack of support from the Bush administration comes at a critical time, when many countries need funds to make a transition to having smaller families in which children can not only survive but receive better education, U.N. population experts said.
"We are very concerned and we hope that the U.S. will come back next year," said Stirling Scruggs, spokesman for the U.N. Population Fund, or UNFPA.
Bush blocked $34 million in funds appropriated by Congress for UNFPA in July. Two months later the president formally shifted the money to an American-run program to boost children's health overseas.
UNFPA has said the U.S. contribution would have helped prevent 2 million unwanted pregnancies, 800,000 induced abortions, 4,700 maternal deaths and 77,000 infant and child deaths.
Scruggs denied that UNFPA promotes abortion in poor countries or advocates its use as a family planning tool. "UNFPA does not support abortion services, although we do provide support for people suffering the consequences of unsafe abortion," he said. ........
nandotimes.com
Pretty impressive that G.W. Bush...he "saved" $34M [maybe that was the offset for the political appointee bonuses] and all it cost was 2 million unwanted pregnancies, 800,000 induced abortions, 4,700 maternal deaths and 77,000 infant and child deaths.
Such a deal.
jttmab |
