UNITED NATIONS
The last two remaining stocks of the dreaded smallpox virus in Russia and US will now be destroyed by June 30, 19", if all the members of the World Health Organisation (WHO) agree on its elimination. The annual meeting of the WHO board which is to be held in May 1996, will discuss the elimination of the virus, according to WHO. The destruction of the virus will be the first time that a species has been made deliberately extinct. It was in 1980 that WHO announced the worldwide eradication of smallpox.
The cash-strapped UN has hit out at its largest funding nation - US - for with- holding funds. The US owes a staggering US $1.23 billion in JUN dues. The issue has also angered the European Union nations, who state that the system of paying dues was unfair as they we expected to pay their dues in time while the US does not. The US has not paid its arrears as it believes that the world body indulges in wasteful expenses and questions its relevance.
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