We must resist America's attempts to undermine the United Nations

[Judi Lynn]

We must resist America's attempts to undermine the United Nations
President Bush's proposal is likely to complicate rather than help international efforts to aid the victims of the tsunami disaster.
by: Clare Short on: 1st Jan, 05

The Indian Ocean earthquake and its aftermath have taken the lives of more than 120,000 people, and displaced and impoverished very many more. Because of the speed and reach of global communications, and the involvement of Western tourists, people across the world have seen the pictures and responded with great generosity. Public opinion has forced governments into an auction of promises - although, of course, the funds will mostly come from existing aid budgets and imply no overall increase in available resources.

But it did not take long for the debate to turn to criticism of the United Nations. Commentators have suggested that the UN is failing in Darfur, failed in Rwanda, should have dealt better with Saddam Hussein and has no moral authority because of corruption in the oil for food programme.

All of these claims are, at best, hopelessly ill informed. It is the Security Council which is responsible for the failure to send sufficient peace-keepers to stop the violence in Darfur, the Security Council that refused to act to prevent the Rwandan genocide and the Security Council that prolonged sanctions in Iraq. And it was the Security Council's Sanctions Committee, which was dominated by the US and the UK, that failed to take action against the widespread reports of corruption in the oil for food programme.

These failures are the responsibility of the permanent members of the Security Council and not of the UN agencies or its systems for responding to humanitarian emergencies. But these criticisms are tossed about by a hungry media which instantly picks up and spreads the most outrageous criticisms and thus undermines confidence in, and respect for, the UN. And President Bush, visibly irritated by a comment from the UN Undersecretary General for humanitarian affairs that wealthy countries were "stingy" towards impoverished nations, announced a new co-ordination mechanism for international action.
(snip/...)

http://globalecho.org/view_article.php?aid=2795

[slor]

1. We must also resist...

America's (chimp ver 2.0) attempts to undermine America.

[Oversea Visitor]

2. Does he knows

that he is actually insulting the rest of the world.
Does he not know that all this what he is saying is reported back to every countries.
If the response of a standing ovation greeting Annan in light of Bush attempt to force him out is not a clear enough indication of the countries opinion then he need a brain transplant.

[davidwhite0570]

3. well, that is an understatement......

Bush just needs to be totally transplanted....head to toe....IMHO

[Quakerfriend]

4. Sadly, he has made it abundantly clear that he doesn't

care one bit about any other nation. Nor does he truly care about the welfare of America. He is so, unamerican in every way really.

As an american, I cringe at almost everything he says and does.

And yes, he's gunning for the UN. We must try to turn the ridicule back on him at every turn. :cry:

[Oversea Visitor]

5. Crazy

Attacking UN is like attacking everyone who is a part of it. Sad day it will be if US get booted out.

[malaise]

6. Well said

Clare Short. Expect things to gt quite ugly in South Asia - the bullying will not be tolerated.

[Oversea Visitor]

8. Get Ugly how?

Its rather difficult. Any attack by US in this region will have very big reaction. Asia might not have firepower. But every rich country have investment here. Attacking any country in Asia is like starting the third world war. I dont think Bush is that crazy.

[Nimrod]

9. I think he IS that crazy

I honestly think * lies awake at night fantasizing about being the President who served five terms and led America to victory in WWIII. No BS, I really believe that is the case.

The worst part is, two things have been proven beyond the shadow of a doubt: One, that this administration is brilliant at catalyzing hatred of outsiders; and Two, we're dumb enough to allow it to work. If he kicks off WWIII, we'll let him. We're just that pathetic. Not as individuals, but as a society we're just that pathetic.

[Oversea Visitor]

10. The warning sign to US is on the wall

His call for Kofi resignation has been meet with a STANDING OVATION
to Kofi instead.
The US dollar is not being supported by and central banks of the other nations. Use to be there come in to prop the dollars.

An invasion by US on any other country will likely result in respond as follows

US booted out of UN
UN shifted to EU
UN call for sanction on US
US assets oversea frozen
UN call for destruction of WMD in US
Economic sanction impose on US

Will it happen ... EU will support cause they be taking the leadership role from US. The pact of Russia, China, India and Brazil will support. The other nations will more then support as they are the one threaten.

To counter the growing polarisation of coutries US will have to form its own economic group.

With Bush at the helm there is noway US can do it.
His dream of world domination is just a dream.
US cant even get it right in Iraq. How can he even go for another.
Its sad but there is no exit plan for Iraq...
When you totally destroy a country the people has nothing to live for but their hate. US cant afford to pull out of Iraq. That hate will follow them home.Americans will continue to die there. Its like the Palestine conflict it will go on and on.
However I am also of the opinion that Bush will the scapegoat finally on this. The fate of Bush is unavoidable he will be force to take the fall.

[flordehinojos]

7. doesn't bush want world domination and isn't this tragedy, sadly, giving

him a window to increase his power grab on the world?