The US government's announcement that it will cut off its funding to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), following the agency's admission of Palestine as a full member on Monday, is a lose-lose game that no other countries should emulate.

The landslide victory of 107 votes in favor to 14 against reflects the strong will of the international community to include Palestine in this important UN body. However, the United States has again shown its unwillingness to accept the outcome of the democratic process it preaches, once the result runs contrary to its will.

Instead of just calling the vote "regrettable and premature," the US went further and halted its payment of UNESCO fees due this month, citing a 1990 law passed by the Congress banning funding to any global agency that grants state status to Palestine.

The deplorable behavior of the US demonstrates perfectly what former US President Bill Clinton called an example of power instead of the power of example. Such an example of power will have serious repercussions if imitated by other nations.

By stopping the payment of $60 million, which was due this month, the US is telling the world that big powers such as the US do not have to respect UN agencies and their rules if they disagree with the collective decisions.

What also seems clear is that the US action is intended to intimidate UNESCO and its members who are in favor of Palestine membership.

With the US contributing 22 percent of the total UNESCO budget, there is no doubt that the funding cutoff will jeopardize the good work of the agency and force it to cut back on many of its projects.

UNESCO Secretary-General Irina Bokova spoke quite emotionally on Monday.

"I am thinking of those thousands of girls and women in Afghanistan, in Africa and around the world, who have learned to read and write, with the help of UNESCO," she said.

Bokova also mentioned an Iraqi education satellite channel UNESCO has helped to develop, Holocaust education and a tsunami warning system the UN organization has extended in the Indian Ocean. US support is imperative for these projects.

Palestine officials are likely to push for membership in 16 other UN agencies, and if accepted we are likely to see the US cut its funding to all these institutions as well, as its laws prohibit funding any UN organization that grants full membership to Palestine.

However, many US pundits and government officials have realized the huge damage this would do to the UN agencies and the US itself, since not paying dues for a period of time might mean a loss of vote for the US.

For example, some US officials have already voiced concerns about the grave outcome if the US cuts off funding to the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), where many US companies are seeking help. They have also talked about the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which they say is vital to US national security, as well as world peace.

It is good to see some US officials expressing their intention to consult with Congress about finding a way around the outdated legislation. President Barack Obama also needs to talk to Congress about revising a law that not only threatens good causes of UN agencies, but embarrasses the US itself.

But no matter what the outcome, this example of "dumb power" should not be emulated by other countries.

The author, based in New York, is deputy editor of China Daily US edition. Email: [email protected].

(China Daily 11/04/2011 page8)