http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2005/06/24/UN.TMPMarc Sandalow, Washington Bureau Chief
Friday, June 24, 2005
The Bush administration appears ready to help guide the United Nations through an era of reform, even as the president and members of his party voice displeasure -- and at times disgust -- with the international organization.
The president will not attend Sunday's celebration of the 60th anniversary of the signing of the U.N. charter in San Francisco. The White House rejected requests for the president or a high-ranking surrogate and is scheduled to send Sichan Siv, the U.S. representative to the U.N. Economic and Social Council.
... The evolution of the U.S. attitude toward the United Nations is shown in the news coverage of the past anniversary celebrations.
President Dwight Eisenhower came to San Francisco on the 10-year anniversary, calling it a season of high hope for the world. A decade later President Lyndon Johnson warned that "clear and present dangers in Southeast Asia cast their shadow across the path of all mankind."
By the time Secretary of State George Shultz visited in 1985 to mark the 40th anniversary, he called the United Nations a troubled organization that had given Americans "much reason for disappointment.'' And 10 years ago , President Bill Clinton, while warning against the dangers of isolation, delivered what he called a tough love speech in which he called on the world body to reform to adjust to a post Cold War-era.
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