US Wants Changes in UN Agreement

Just weeks before an upcoming UN summit, the United States has proposed more than 750 amendments to an agreement to be signed at the meeting. Organized as an effort to better address world poverty, terrorism, and human rights abuses, the summit is slated to host leaders of 175 nations. The Bush administration's last-minute changes, designed to better reflect US concerns, have received much criticism, particularly from representatives of the world's poorer countries. The suggested amendments aim to limit the discussion of poverty – including omission of any direct references to the Millennium Development Goals – and instead, shift the focus to topics like streamlining UN bureaucracy and establishing a democracy fund. As delegates rush in and out of negotiations, one question lingers: Will they be able to strike a deal in time for the summit? – YaleGlobal