Buenos Aires, June 20 (RHC)-- Brazil is considering leaving 34 second-tier international organizations, including the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), to cut back on costs, according to a list seen by Reuters.

Brazil has run up $866 million U$D in arrears with international bodies such as the United Nations due to a fiscal crisis, and its diplomats abroad have even had trouble paying their rent.  According to sources, the list of possible withdrawals, prepared by the Budget and Planning Ministry, includes the Ibero-American summit organization and six institutions in the South American trade bloc, Mercosur.

The departure from international organizations would be the latest cost-cutting step by Brazil's new Foreign Minister José Serra, who has vowed to pay the ministry's debts and balance its budget.  Last week alone, 46 ministry positions were closed.