|
Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums "The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!"
|
View previous topic :: View next topic |
Author |
Message |
pugachevV
Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 2295
|
Posted: Fri Jan 31, 2003 9:10 am Post subject: The UN |
|
|
As a bastion of multilateralism, the UN has become a menace -- a menace, above all, to its own original principles. By now, the institution's main role is to enable dysfunctional dictatorships to punch above their weight. Still, people who have high regard for the ideals that brought the UN into being continue to be on the lookout for saving graces. Some argue that the UN is a worthwhile institution, only it has been "hijacked" by coalitions of dictators, hate-mongers and their appeasers.
True as this may be, it's meaningless. It's like saying that Islam is a peaceful religion, only it has been "hijacked" by Wahhabi sheiks, theocratic ayatollahs, and followers of Osama bin Laden. The point about a hijacked entity, whether it's a commercial jet, a great religion, or an international institution like the UN, is that once it has been diverted, it's under the hijackers' command. At this stage, regardless of its benevolent origins, regardless of its innocent passengers and crew, it becomes an instrument of destruction. A hijacked airliner is a missile on its way to the Twin Towers. If it can't be rescued from its hijackers, it must be shot down.
The same goes for a hijacked institution. Irrespective of what action Mr. Bush contemplates against Saddam, America should cut itself loose from the United Nations. It should withdraw from the world body, then offer Kofi Annan and his cohorts a generous period -- say, six months -- to get out of town.
George Jonas writing in the National Post (www.nationalpost.com) |
|
Back to top |
|
|
wing
Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 193
|
Posted: Sat Feb 01, 2003 6:09 am Post subject: Re: The UN |
|
|
Is there no better time than now to wage a US-led war while now inspection process is nearing the end of the road?( Sorry if I am wrong; I have not kept up with the news these days.)
The US has made it clear that it will fight against Iraq very soon, with or without UN authorization of the use of force. In other words, it no longer views the institution as the sole source of legitimacy on the use of force. Although Germany already flatly rejected the whole idea of military action for what it considers disastrous consequences, or other members like China simply incline to extend the inspection process longer enough to have no excuse not to accept it as a last resort, I wonder, will it be a force to be reckoned with that can totally prevent the US and its loyal brother from doing what they claim they have the right to?
At very least the hijacked institution, if you all will, is now serving its functions. Few people around the world will be against the potential war that is presumed to overthrow Saddam's genocidal regime if a piece of evidence that he has got a 'smoking gun' is dug up (difficult?!), though Saddam's extreme totalitarianism has come a long way. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Diana
Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 494 Location: Guam, USA
|
Posted: Sat Feb 01, 2003 12:47 pm Post subject: The UN. |
|
|
I don't think there is a "smoking gun." Saddam would not get involved with Bin Laden because he is uncontrollable. Bin Laden is also a back stabber and could easily turn against friends. Saddam is smart enough not to get involved with someone you can't control or can't trust.
On the other hand, Saddam is a liar. The U.S. and other countries have evidence that he has weapons of mass destruction because they were the ones who sold those weapons of mass destruction to him. The question is where is Saddam hiding these weapons? His scientists would probably know, which is why he is refusing the UN inspectors to talk to his scientists. The UN inspections are not finished yet, but as usual he's blocked the UN inspection from interviewing Iraqi scientiests.
I believe it is the job of the United Nations to protect human rights and make certain that another Adolf Hitler doesn't rise to power. Unfortunately, they have been doing a very poor job for the past several years. They can't even solve conflicts between nations. Saddam has been torturing his people, and the UN did nothing except put sanctions. Is that all the punishment they can give - sanctions? And when the UN finally lifted the sanctions to allow Saddam to sell oil for food and medicine to his people, Saddam instead used the money to reward the families of Palestinian suicide bombers while his own people starve. So, what does the UN do about this? Nothing. The last I look, Iraqis are still suffering and Saddam is still healthy wearing a suit and tie. Saddam should have been taken out a long time ago in 1991 by the United Nations the moment he gassed his own people. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
wing
Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 193
|
Posted: Sat Feb 01, 2003 5:38 pm Post subject: Re: The UN. |
|
|
No stranger to his lies, history of defiance to the UN resolutions and aggression, not one nation in the press, not one in the public has commented that Saddam was trustworthy and innocent.
If it is a fact that he does have weapons of mass destruction hidden away from inspectors who could never discover one, why Mr. Bush or Mr. Powell does not offer a word of proof straightforwardly to end the 'excellent' job? (America sold them to him)
If the United Nations is of little practical value, doing nothing in resolving conflicts, inspection crisis and achieving its ambitions, why America squanders regular amounts of money on supporting the work of the United Nations? No other nation on Earth comes close to matching its investment. Then, what is the reason for? |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Diana
Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 494 Location: Guam, USA
|
Posted: Sat Feb 01, 2003 8:36 pm Post subject: The UN. |
|
|
Hi Wing,
The United States did show the evidence to the UN; and as a result, 8 European nations are now supporting the United States in their war against Iraq. The only evidence that the United States have not been able to produce is Iraq's involvement in the 911 attacks.
Also, the United States haven't been paying their UN dues. The U.S. actually owes the United Nations a lot of money. The richest country in the world is delinquent in paying their bills. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
wing
Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 193
|
Posted: Sun Feb 02, 2003 6:18 am Post subject: Re: The UN. |
|
|
Gong Xi Diana,
Really In 1999 alone, the US was the single largest investor in the United Nations. I assured myself that America would remain its investment higher than others to keep the record. Well, I am wrong.
But what evidence has the US given, and are they still waiting for the formal report by the UN inspectors for the authorization of the use of force? |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Diana
Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 494 Location: Guam, USA
|
Posted: Sun Feb 02, 2003 12:03 pm Post subject: The UN> |
|
|
Gong Xi Wing,
I was also surprised when I read that the US hasn't been paying their UN dues. I read a lot of news and books while my electricity was out but I remember reading that a majority of Americans agree that the United States should start paying their UN dues. I didn't even know the Americans were delinquent in their bills until I read that.
UN inspection is not finished yet. Saddam blocked UN inspection by not allowing them to speak to Iraqi scientist in private. I'm hoping that this crisis resolves in a peaceful solution. I think the best thing would be for Saddam to fully cooperate unconditionally. After all, if he really has nothing to hide, then he should allow UN inspection to take place and don't interfere. If he does have something to hide, then I'm sure he is smart enough to realize that exile is better than being caught by the Americans. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
wing
Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 193
|
Posted: Sun Feb 02, 2003 11:54 pm Post subject: Re: The UN |
|
|
It's very-very merciful to let him go into exile... They should have him do something to compensate for all people whom he tortured to death if he was caught. I don't know what, though. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Diana
Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 494 Location: Guam, USA
|
Posted: Tue Feb 04, 2003 2:13 am Post subject: The UN. |
|
|
You are right, Wing. It would be merciful to have him exiled when he should be rotting in jail. I read a book written by Kenneth Polluck, who was in the UN Security Council and an expert analysit on Iraq and Saddam Hussein. He gathered a lot of information from the hundreds of people who fled Iraq and other data he was able to obtained from the CIA.
It was horrible reading the stories of what those poor Iraqi people have gone through. Saddam tortured and killed many of his own people - especially those who spoke out against him and his family. He has a secret police everywhere and people lived in fear. Little children were killed and maimed just to get their parents to talk. Wives and daughters were raped in front of their husbands and fathers so they could force them to talk. I can't understand how the United Nations could have allowed all this to go on for 12 long years and not do anything - except put sanctions. What good are the sanctions? |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
|