Let me tell you how it will be:
QUOTE
By Colum Lynch
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, March 16, 2004; Page A15
UNITED NATIONS, March 15 -- A bloc of more than 50 Islamic states, backed by the Vatican, sought today to halt U.N. efforts to extend spousal benefits to partners of some gay employees.
The initiative came less than two months after U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan moved to award benefits to partners of gay employees who come from countries where such benefits are provided, such as Belgium and the Netherlands.
....
The United Nations has recognized polygamy, a common practice in the Islamic world, as a legitimate form of marriage and permits employees to divide their benefits among more than one wife. But the decision to expand that right to same-sex partners has fueled intense opposition.
....
The Bush administration has sided with the Vatican and Islamic governments on a range of \"family values\" issues, including initiatives to restrict abortion rights and curtail the rights of children.
....
The U.S. representative at today's session, Elizabeth Nakian, declined to address the controversy at the meeting. A spokesman for the U.S. mission to the United Nations, Robert A. Wood, said, \"We understand that it's a complicated issue. We are currently reviewing the U.N. bulletin and studying its implications.\"
....
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, March 16, 2004; Page A15
UNITED NATIONS, March 15 -- A bloc of more than 50 Islamic states, backed by the Vatican, sought today to halt U.N. efforts to extend spousal benefits to partners of some gay employees.
The initiative came less than two months after U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan moved to award benefits to partners of gay employees who come from countries where such benefits are provided, such as Belgium and the Netherlands.
....
The United Nations has recognized polygamy, a common practice in the Islamic world, as a legitimate form of marriage and permits employees to divide their benefits among more than one wife. But the decision to expand that right to same-sex partners has fueled intense opposition.
....
The Bush administration has sided with the Vatican and Islamic governments on a range of \"family values\" issues, including initiatives to restrict abortion rights and curtail the rights of children.
....
The U.S. representative at today's session, Elizabeth Nakian, declined to address the controversy at the meeting. A spokesman for the U.S. mission to the United Nations, Robert A. Wood, said, \"We understand that it's a complicated issue. We are currently reviewing the U.N. bulletin and studying its implications.\"
....