UN reform

Shades of Jesse Helms! Rob Gaudet says:"I wonder if we should at least consider the possibility of abandoning the UN. The US might spearhead this effort by refusing dues. It would be a good exercise in debate and, perhaps, it would force the UN to prove its relevancy to the world. Right now, I can't see much relevance aside from providing a stage for diplomacy which, of course, is important and invaluable. But perhaps we are just fooling ourselves by going through all these UN machinations when, at the end of the day, unilateralism and multilateralism seem to prevail". RH: The US did withhold its dues. Japan, Germany and Italy used the same argument about the League of Nations. Not a good precedent to follow. Admittedly it is ridiculous for countries like Libya and Iraq to have any significant role in the UN. How to reform it?

Ronald Hilton - 2/17/03