U.S. Lawmakers Agree on Debt Plan

Key U.S. senators, including Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jesse Helms (R-N.C.), agreed on a far-reaching foreign affairs bill that would pay most American debts to the United Nations. Under the proposed deal, the U.S. would pay the world body $819 million over three years in return for U.N. spending cuts and other concessions. That is less than what the U.N. says the country owes but the most that Helms, Congress’ leading critic of the world body, said he will accept. Clinton administration officials said they support the plan, but they still have some reservations about details regarding reorganization of American foreign policy agencies.