U.N. FUNDS HELD UP BECAUSE OF ABORTIONS

In Washington, the U.S. Senate has followed the House in attaching to an appropriations measure a provision imposing abortion restrictions on the payment of back dues to the United Nations. The provision would prohibit any U.S. payments to the U.N. from being used for international family planning groups that support abortion rights. The White House quickly announced that the president would veto the bill, even though the U.N. payments are a top priority. The Senate vote was a close 51-49.

Sen. majority leader Trent Lott, R-Miss., said a veto would be "a big mistake," adding that he doubted Mr. Clinton would get another chance this year to get the money through Congress.

Thus the showdown is clear: The United States risks losing its voting rights in the U.N. General Assembly if the delinquent dues aren't paid soon. The U.S. position in the Security Council, where it holds veto power, would be unaffected. Also at stake in the bill are monies for State Department operations badly wanted by the Clinton administration.

Said North Carolina Sen. Jesse Helms, the Republican chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, "He has waived that veto flag time and time again. One way or another this is the end of it."

Mr. Clinton's administration is the most aggressively pro-abortion in American history. It is good to see Congress forcing this issue, and doing it on the side of life.