The future of the UN

The role of the UN in the present Iraq crisis is on all our minds. It was therefore surprising and even perturbing to read a Reuters report which begins: " Annan plans UN revamp. Acknowledging the UN is bogged down in endless meetings and too many reports, Secretary-General Kofi Annan unveils on Monday his latest plan for making the world body more efficient and effective and better focused on the most pressing problems. The revamp is not intended to eliminate staff, cut the budget or save money. Annan said the changes are intended to assure the greatest emphasis is placed on the economic and social ills - such as extreme poverty, AIDS and educational shortcomings - that weigh the heaviest on needy nations".

The US objected to Boutor Boutros Ghali as Secretary of the UN because, as an Egyptian, he might not be impartial in the Israel question. The US has seemed perfectly happy with Kofi Annan, but to me he is a puzzle. The above statement can be interpreted in several ways. In essence, it abdicates the main mission of the UN, which is to keep the peace. It sounds as though Kofi Annan would like to transform it into another welfare agency. Is it just the case of a black African trying to divert more money to Africa? Is he doing it with the approval of the Bush Administration, which would like the UN to get out of the way of the planned attack on Iraq? In an excellent speech to the House of Commons Michael Angram, Conservative Deputy Leader and Shadow Foreign Secretary, expressed strong support for the US, but insisted that any action must be in accord with international law and UN resolutions. In his stress on the UN, he voiced the feelings of the international community. Prime Minister Tony Blair, like the Bush Administration, places less stress on them. Was Kofi Annan working in accord with the Bush Administration, which wants to concentrate on Africa as a source of oil? In any case, it is a very serious matter if the UN diverts its attention from keeping the peace just when it has a critical role to play.

Ronald Hilton - 9/24/02