5
“Mexico’s internationalism and multilateralism have been erratic and ambivalent. Mexican
political leaders have only occasionally defined the country as a middle power with a proactive
global focus.” (González 2001, 151.)
For instance, in the UN system, Mexico and Brazil are among the top financial
contributors. In 2004, Mexico was the tenth largest financial contributor to the UN system, with
27 million dollars, accounting for 1.82% of all the assessment. Similarly, Brazil was the
fourteenth largest contributor, with 22 million dollars, accounting for 1.48% of the UN budget.
Mexico is also the ninth largest donor of resources to the UN peacekeeping operations budget,
contributing with almost 50 million dollars a year.
1
(Global Policy, 2004)
UN Regular Budget Payments of Largest Payers, 2004
Country
2004
Assessment
Percentage
of
Assessment
US
363
24.47%
Japan
280
18.81%
Germany
124
8.36%
UK
88
5.93%
France
87
5.86%
Italy
70
4.7%
Canada
40
2.6%
Spain
36
2.4%
China
29
1.95%
Mexico
27
1.82%
Republic of
Korea
26
1.75%
Netherlands
24
1.6%
Australia
23
1.5%
Brazil
22
1.4%
Switzerland
17
1.1%
Source: Global Policy Forum, www.globalpolicy.org/finance/tables/reg-
budget/large04.htm
Despite Mexico’s contribution to the UN system, the country has not played a middle-
power role at the organization, as Cooper’s model would expect. Mexico has only joined the UN
Security Council as a non-permanent member in three periods (1946-1947, 1982-1983, and 2002-
1
Personal interview with Ambassador Enrique Berruga, Mexican Ambassador to the UN, August X, 2004.
Convention