The UN Security Council
I asked if Aldo da Rosa had any view on Brazil's seeking a permanent seat on the UN Security Council. He replies: Basking in my ignorance, I often wonder what the criteria were for the selection of the permanent members of the UN Security Council. Was it victory in WWII? That might account for the USA, GB and USSR, but France? During that war, France did no better than Poland. So Poland should be a member. And China?
The UN is full of contradictions. How can it give Uganda the same vote as Germany? On the other hand, how can it fail to do so? After all, all nations are equal, except the five members of the Security Council which are a bit more equal. I see many things wrong with the UN and my frustration is that I have not the remotest idea of how to fix it. The UN is a set-up that invites nepotism. We may live with that, but it is also an invitation for gross corruption, and some of us are culturally biased against that. Expanding the Security Council will lead to an UN even more incapable of making decisions. But if we want to kiss up to Germany and India, why not Brazil? I am curious what Argentina's reaction would be---envy, or pride having a neighbor honored? I would bet on the latter, at least, I would feel that way if Argentina were the candidate.
RH: The place of France on the Security Council was the subject of bitter debate at the 1945 conference which created the UN and which I attended. France threatened to lead a General Assembly bloc against the US and the Security Council, so it was given a permanent seat on the Council. The hostility of France to the "Anglo Saxons" continued under de Gaulle and now with Chirac. I hope all WAISers are "culturally biased against corruption".
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