Reaction to Turner's $1 billion pledge (09/28/97)

Reaction to Turner's $1 billion pledge

UNITED NATIONS - The president of the General Assembly, Hennadii Udovenko, was at the United Nations Association dinner on September 18 when Ted Turner, the vice-chairman of Time Warner Inc., announced he would contribute $1 billion to support the goals of the United Nations.

Mr. Udovenko said he has high hopes for the current session of the General Assembly to become a watershed event in the process of reforming the United Nations. But, for the reform of the U.N. to be successful, the organization needs both symbolic support and practical contributions, he added.

Alex Taukach, spokesman for the General Assembly president, said: "As for Mr. Turner's pledge, it was definitely a billion-dollar symbolic gesture, if there ever was one. The president has known Mr. Turner to be a steadfast and vocal supporter of the United Nations, but with the announced contribution of $1 billion Mr. Turner has certainly put his money where his mouth is."

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