NationStates Jolt Archive

Well, what are your opinions? Do you think the new Security General will be able to make the UN a more reputable organization?

I personally think that it's great news of Kofi stepping down, I think it's 10 years over due but I'm going to look beyond that and look forward to the future and will hope the UN will become a more reputable organization that will convince me to change my current anti-UN stance and to end my belief of the UN being a lost cause.

Good Luck, Ban Ki-moon of South Korea. You have a tremendous work load and lots of hurdles to overcome. I wish you the Best in fixing Kofi's screw-ups...

Here's hoping I'll be able to change my current views of the UN and may they have a bright future. :)

link: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/worldnews.html?in_article_id=425679&in_page_id=1766&ito=1490

I don't know. I've been very disappointed with the UN ever since I knew them to be trying to suppress information about the Sudan genocide.

I didn't know it had bounded in the first place...

I really can't say if the new Security General will be able have a major impact on the U.N. It is in my opinion a nearly impossible task. It should be clear to even a casual observer that the U.N. needs to make some changes. But those changes can only be made it the individual countries are willing to give up some of their sovereign rights

Just from what I've heard Moon say, he seems to have at least a smidgeon of sense in him. I think he bears watching.

I didn't know it had bounded in the first place...

ummm... yes

indeed

Well, what are your opinions? Do you think the new Security General will be able to make the UN a more reputable organization?

I personally think that it's great news of Kofi stepping down, I think it's 10 years over due but I'm going to look beyond that and look forward to the future and will hope the UN will become a more reputable organization that will convince me to change my current anti-UN stance and to end my belief of the UN being a lost cause.

Good Luck, Ban Ki-moon of South Korea. You have a tremendous work load and lots of hurdles to overcome. I wish you the Best in fixing Kofi's screw-ups...

Here's hoping I'll be able to change my current views of the UN and may they have a bright future. :)

link: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/worldnews.html?in_article_id=425679&in_page_id=1766&ito=1490

So why do you believe that the UN is a lost cause? It's a large organisation, so I expect comments beyond only the area of the security council. What programms are you unhappy with, and why? What's your biggest issue with the International Court of Justice? How did UNICEF mess up? Are you unhappy about the WHO? Why is the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund a failure? Sure, I know they have their flaws, but what would your suggested alternatives be?

There are two fundamental problems with the structure of the UN.

1) The General Assembly cannot actually force "rogue nations" to do anthing. All it can do is ask nicely.

2) Thanks mainly to the UK and USA, the Security Council is now scared to threaten enforcing sanctions by any means necessary. That's how the war in Iraq was justified, so now France and others are scared that'll happen again. Result: North Korea got off lightly.

UNICEF, IMF, WHO etc. are OK; they can stay pretty much as they are. It's just the international security bit that needs sorting.

There are two fundamental problems with the structure of the UN.

1) The General Assembly cannot actually force "rogue nations" to do anthing. All it can do is ask nicely.

2) Thanks mainly to the UK and USA, the Security Council is now scared to threaten enforcing sanctions by any means necessary. That's how the war in Iraq was justified, so now France and others are scared that'll happen again. Result: North Korea got off lightly.

UNICEF, IMF, WHO etc. are OK; they can stay pretty much as they are. It's just the international security bit that needs sorting.

So to solve that problem each Nation gives up the right to make war independently of UN approval unless it has been attacked by another nation. Also, every member nation agrees to attack any nation that violates the rule of non-aggression. There will have to be other rules and and laws, but that single one sets the tone for all future relationships between nations.

So to solve that problem each Nation gives up the right to make war independently of UN approval unless it has been attacked by another nation. Also, every member nation agrees to attack any nation that violates the rule of non-aggression. There will have to be other rules and and laws, but that single one sets the tone for all future relationships between nations.

And how do you suggest they be enforced upon rogue states? The UN will never work unless everyone buys into it.

So to solve that problem each Nation gives up the right to make war independently of UN approval unless it has been attacked by another nation. Also, every member nation agrees to attack any nation that violates the rule of non-aggression. There will have to be other rules and and laws, but that single one sets the tone for all future relationships between nations.

That's kinda how it is today - except the collective attacking the agressor automatically.

I expect you would like the current rules to be enforced in a stricter manner?

I don't know. I've been very disappointed with the UN ever since I knew them to be trying to suppress information about the Sudan genocide.

Hell, I've been disappointed with them (and him) since Rwanda and Srebrinica.

To the OP: They're not going anywhere. The world cannot go backwards to a place in geopolitics without an multinational , international organisation like the United Nations. It may change it's name, or streamline it's operations, but the institution as a belief is not going anywhere.... well, shy of the apocalypse.

You used the Daily Mail as a source. You lose.;)

I just wonder if people would rather the UN be United States II: The Sequel.

And how do you suggest they be enforced upon rogue states? The UN will never work unless everyone buys into it.

I agree that in order for the UN to work a large number of nations must agree to a set of basic principles that govern the relationship between all nations not just when it is convenient or in the perceived best interest of that nation. The rules of the agreement will work just as well with rogue nations as long when a rogue nation violates one of the principles all of the member nations unite against it.

lets hope the US gets kicked out :p

That's kinda how it is today - except the collective attacking the agressor automatically.

I expect you would like the current rules to be enforced in a stricter manner?

I think that too many nations, the USA included, use the rules when they believe that it is to their benefit; and only pay lip service or ignore the rules when they believe that by following the rules they give up a piece of their sovereignty or don't benefit from the action.

lets hope the US gets kicked out :p

Let's not.

I just wonder if people would rather the UN be United States II: The Sequel.

Actually a very good model for the UN to follow is the relationship that the USA has with each of it's states. This relationship was only developed, and it still developing, after years of difficulty and two very difficult Civil Wars. The first being the war between the north and south and the second between virulent racism and civil rights which, some would say, is still active.

Actually a very good model for the UN to follow is the relationship that the USA has with each of it's states. This relationship was only developed, and it still developing, after years of difficulty and two very difficult Civil Wars. The first being the war between the north and south and the second between virulent racism and civil rights which, some would say, is still active.

In that sense, every country should look at how America has handled and continues to handle those problems. But I meant more how people seem to want the UN to be in sync with the current policies of the United States, no matter who happens to be in power in either the US or UN.

In that sense, every country should look at how America has handled and continues to handle those problems. But I meant more how people seem to want the UN to be in sync with the current policies of the United States, no matter who happens to be in power in either the US or UN.

What is needed is for a UN that follows the IDEAL of the United States political system where there are elected officials who vote on important issues with their own states interest in mind but in the end consider what is best for the whole United States. With current UN practice each nation votes for what it believes will benefit it's own country and also the world as a whole. Unfortunately, too many times the UN nations vote against what is clearly in the best interests of the world because of political interests at home. The USA, France, Russia, Great Britain, China, India to name a few are guilty of this.

Well, what are your opinions? Do you think the new Security General will be able to make the UN a more reputable organization?

I personally think that it's great news of Kofi stepping down, I think it's 10 years over due but I'm going to look beyond that and look forward to the future and will hope the UN will become a more reputable organization that will convince me to change my current anti-UN stance and to end my belief of the UN being a lost cause.

Good Luck, Ban Ki-moon of South Korea. You have a tremendous work load and lots of hurdles to overcome. I wish you the Best in fixing Kofi's screw-ups...

Here's hoping I'll be able to change my current views of the UN and may they have a bright future. :)

link: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/worldnews.html?in_article_id=425679&in_page_id=1766&ito=1490
The UN will always be weak as long as the US dictates terms, denigrates the veto, and invades countries illegally. If the UN is going to change, then the US will have to change.

The UN will always be weak as long as the US dictates terms, denigrates the veto, and invades countries illegally. If the UN is going to change, then the US will have to change.

Agreed. The current US government doesn't respect the UN and so treats it accordingly. The UN, powerless without the cooperation of member states, is therefore ineffectual--and then people like the OP complain because it doesn't work, like there was any other purpose behind the policy in the first place.

It never ceases to amaze me that some people will vote for politicians who claim government is the problem as opposed to a potential solution, and then bitch when government doesn't work. Of course it doesn't work--you put people in charge who have a vested interest in making sure it doesn't work. What did you expect?

But if you put an administration in power that believes the UN can be an effective force for stability, you'll get that force in the UN. But you won't get that as long as you have an administration that thinks John Bolton is a good idea for UN Ambassador. It won't matter who the Sec-General is.

The UN won't 'rebound' until it takes action against the world's most egregious violator of international peace- israel.

This won't happen until the US has an administration willing to make things right in the middle east.

The UN won't be anything until the nations that make it up stop thinking of their own agenda, ie. big noting themselves, and attempt to actually work together to resolve the problems.

Until people stop trying to pretend the world is a nice happy place and people get their fingers dirty then no one will respect the UN.

The UN would have teeth if the US and other permanent security council members couldn't abuse their veto power. There should be a way to limit their veto. Only then would something get done because then the US wouldn't have immunity from the SC, and it would be forced, like other members to take a look at both sides of the picture.

I didn't know it had bounced in the first place... I am not holding my breath..
this one was as bad as the previous secretaries.. if he was better.. it was just a bit.

the only one with a backbone was the Swedish one.

I personally think that it's great news of Kofi stepping down, I think it's 10 years over due but I'm going to look beyond that and look forward to the future and will hope the UN will become a more reputable organization that will convince me to change my current anti-UN stance and to end my belief of the UN being a lost cause.
Here is a list of reasons why the UN is "a lost cause". Despite the obvious pro-Israeli slant, notice the US vetoes certain sanctions against nuclear weapons and testing. Also, notice that the vast majority of US vetoes was during the Reagan/Bush administrations. Oh, and of course the vetoes regarding WMD other then nuclear is also interesting.

30 Years Of U.S. UN Vetoes (http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article2000.htm).
How the U.S. has Voted // Vetoed- See any bias - See any pattern ?

1972-2002 Vetoes from the USA
---
Year -----Resolution Vetoed by the USA
1972 Condemns Israel for killing hundreds of people in Syria and Lebanon in air raids.
1973 Afirms the rights of the Palestinians and calls on Israel to withdraw from the occupied territories.
1976 Condemns Israel for attacking Lebanese civilians.
1976 Condemns Israel for building settlements in the occupied territories.
1976 Calls for self determination for the Palestinians.
1976 Afirms the rights of the Palestinians.
1978 Urges the permanent members (USA, USSR, UK, France, China) to insure United Nations decisions on the maintenance of international peace and security.
1978 Criticises the living conditions of the Palestinians.
1978 Condemns the Israeli human rights record in occupied territories.
1978 Calls for developed countries to increase the quantity and quality of development assistance to underdeveloped countries.
1979 Calls for an end to all military and nuclear collaboration with the apartheid South Africa.
1979 Strengthens the arms embargo against South Africa.
1979 Offers assistance to all the oppressed people of South Africa and their liberation movement.
1979 Concerns negotiations on disarmament and cessation of the nuclear arms race.
1979 Calls for the return of all inhabitants expelled by Israel.
1979 Demands that Israel desist from human rights violations.
1979 Requests a report on the living conditions of Palestinians in occupied Arab countries.
1979 Offers assistance to the Palestinian people.
1979 Discusses sovereignty over national resources in occupied Arab territories.
1979 Calls for protection of developing counties' exports.
1979 Calls for alternative approaches within the United Nations system for improving the enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms.
1979 Opposes support for intervention in the internal or external affairs of states.
1979 For a United Nations Conference on Women.
1979 To include Palestinian women in the United Nations Conference on Women.
1979 Safeguards rights of developing countries in multinational trade negotiations.
1980 Requests Israel to return displaced persons.
1980 Condemns Israeli policy regarding the living conditions of the Palestinian people.
1980 Condemns Israeli human rights practices in occupied territories. 3 resolutions.
1980 Afirms the right of self determination for the Palestinians.
1980 Offers assistance to the oppressed people of South Africa and their national liberation movement.
1980 Attempts to establish a New International Economic Order to promote the growth of underdeveloped countries and international economic co-operation.
1980 Endorses the Program of Action for Second Half of United Nations Decade for Women.
1980 Declaration of non-use of nuclear weapons against non-nuclear states.
1980 Emphasises that the development of nations and individuals is a human right.
1980 Calls for the cessation of all nuclear test explosions.
1980 Calls for the implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples.
1981 Promotes co-operative movements in developing countries.
1981 Affirms the right of every state to choose its economic and social system in accord with the will of its people, without outside interference in whatever form it takes.
1981 Condemns activities of foreign economic interests in colonial territories.
1981 Calls for the cessation of all test explosions of nuclear weapons.
1981 Calls for action in support of measures to prevent nuclear war, curb the arms race and promote disarmament.
1981 Urges negotiations on prohibition of chemical and biological weapons.
1981 Declares that education, work, health care, proper nourishment, national development, etc are human rights.
1981 Condemns South Africa for attacks on neighbouring states, condemns apartheid and attempts to strengthen sanctions. 7 resolutions.
1981 Condemns an attempted coup by South Africa on the Seychelles.
1981 Condemns Israel's treatment of the Palestinians, human rights policies, and the bombing of Iraq. 18 resolutions.
1982 Condemns the Israeli invasion of Lebanon. 6 resolutions (1982 to 1983).
1982 Condemns the shooting of 11 Muslims at a shrine in Jerusalem by an Israeli soldier.
1982 Calls on Israel to withdraw from the Golan Heights occupied in 1967.
1982 Condemns apartheid and calls for the cessation of economic aid to South Africa. 4 resolutions.
1982 Calls for the setting up of a World Charter for the protection of the ecology.
1982 Sets up a United Nations conference on succession of states in respect to state property, archives and debts.
1982 Nuclear test bans and negotiations and nuclear free outer space. 3 resolutions.
1982 Supports a new world information and communications order.
1982 Prohibition of chemical and bacteriological weapons.
1982 Development of international law.
1982 Protects against products harmful to health and the environment .
1982 Declares that education, work, health care, proper nourishment, national development are human rights.
1982 Protects against products harmful to health and the environment.
1982 Development of the energy resources of developing countries.
1983 Resolutions about apartheid, nuclear arms, economics, and international law. 15 resolutions.
1984 Condemns support of South Africa in its Namibian and other policies.
1984 International action to eliminate apartheid.
1984 Condemns Israel for occupying and attacking southern Lebanon.
1984 Resolutions about apartheid, nuclear arms, economics, and international law. 18 resolutions.
1985 Condemns Israel for occupying and attacking southern Lebanon.
1985 Condemns Israel for using excessive force in the occupied territories.
1985 Resolutions about cooperation, human rights, trade and development. 3 resolutions.
1985 Measures to be taken against Nazi, Fascist and neo-Fascist activities .
1986 Calls on all governments (including the USA) to observe international law.
1986 Imposes economic and military sanctions against South Africa.
1986 Condemns Israel for its actions against Lebanese civilians.
1986 Calls on Israel to respect Muslim holy places.
1986 Condemns Israel for sky-jacking a Libyan airliner.
1986 Resolutions about cooperation, security, human rights, trade, media bias, the environment and development.
8 resolutions.
1987 Calls on Israel to abide by the Geneva Conventions in its treatment of the Palestinians.
1987 Calls on Israel to stop deporting Palestinians.
1987 Condemns Israel for its actions in Lebanon. 2 resolutions.
1987 Calls on Israel to withdraw its forces from Lebanon.
1987 Cooperation between the United Nations and the League of Arab States.
1987 Calls for compliance in the International Court of Justice concerning military and paramilitary activities against Nicaragua and a call to end the trade embargo against Nicaragua. 2 resolutions.
1987 Measures to prevent international terrorism, study the underlying political and economic causes of terrorism, convene a conference to define terrorism and to differentiate it from the struggle of people from national liberation.
1987 Resolutions concerning journalism, international debt and trade. 3 resolutions.
1987 Opposition to the build up of weapons in space.
1987 Opposition to the development of new weapons of mass destruction.
1987 Opposition to nuclear testing. 2 resolutions.1987 Proposal to set up South Atlantic "Zone of Peace".
1988 Condemns Israeli practices against Palestinians in the occupied territories. 5 resolutions (1988 and 1989).
1989 Condemns USA invasion of Panama.
1989 Condemns USA troops for ransacking the residence of the Nicaraguan ambassador in Panama.
1989 Condemns USA support for the Contra army in Nicaragua.
1989 Condemns illegal USA embargo of Nicaragua.
1989 Opposing the acquisition of territory by force.
1989 Calling for a resolution to the Arab-Israeli conflict based on earlier UN resoltions.
1990 To send three UN Security Council observers to the occupied territories.
1995 Afirms that land in East Jerusalem annexed by Israel is occupied territory.
1997 Calls on Israel to cease building settlements in East Jerusalem and other occupied territories. 2 resolutions.
1999 Calls on the USA to end its trade embargo on Cuba. 8 resolutions (1992 to 1999).
2001 To send unarmed monitors to the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
2001 To set up the International Criminal Court.
2002 To renew the peace keeping mission in Bosnia.

Here is a list of reasons why the UN is "a lost cause". Despite the obvious pro-Israeli slant, notice the US vetoes certain sanctions against nuclear weapons and testing. Also, notice that the vast majority of US vetoes was during the Reagan/Bush administrations. Oh, and of course the vetoes regarding WMD other then nuclear is also interesting.

30 Years Of U.S. UN Vetoes (http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article2000.htm).
How the U.S. has Voted // Vetoed- See any bias - See any pattern ?

1972-2002 Vetoes from the USA
---
Year -----Resolution Vetoed by the USA
1972 Condemns Israel for killing hundreds of people in Syria and Lebanon in air raids.
1973 Afirms the rights of the Palestinians and calls on Israel to withdraw from the occupied territories.
1976 Condemns Israel for attacking Lebanese civilians.
1976 Condemns Israel for building settlements in the occupied territories.
1976 Calls for self determination for the Palestinians.
1976 Afirms the rights of the Palestinians.
1978 Urges the permanent members (USA, USSR, UK, France, China) to insure United Nations decisions on the maintenance of international peace and security.
1978 Criticises the living conditions of the Palestinians.
1978 Condemns the Israeli human rights record in occupied territories.
1978 Calls for developed countries to increase the quantity and quality of development assistance to underdeveloped countries.
1979 Calls for an end to all military and nuclear collaboration with the apartheid South Africa.
1979 Strengthens the arms embargo against South Africa.
1979 Offers assistance to all the oppressed people of South Africa and their liberation movement.
1979 Concerns negotiations on disarmament and cessation of the nuclear arms race.
1979 Calls for the return of all inhabitants expelled by Israel.
1979 Demands that Israel desist from human rights violations.
1979 Requests a report on the living conditions of Palestinians in occupied Arab countries.
1979 Offers assistance to the Palestinian people.
1979 Discusses sovereignty over national resources in occupied Arab territories.
1979 Calls for protection of developing counties' exports.
1979 Calls for alternative approaches within the United Nations system for improving the enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms.
1979 Opposes support for intervention in the internal or external affairs of states.
1979 For a United Nations Conference on Women.
1979 To include Palestinian women in the United Nations Conference on Women.
1979 Safeguards rights of developing countries in multinational trade negotiations.
1980 Requests Israel to return displaced persons.
1980 Condemns Israeli policy regarding the living conditions of the Palestinian people.
1980 Condemns Israeli human rights practices in occupied territories. 3 resolutions.
1980 Afirms the right of self determination for the Palestinians.
1980 Offers assistance to the oppressed people of South Africa and their national liberation movement.
1980 Attempts to establish a New International Economic Order to promote the growth of underdeveloped countries and international economic co-operation.
1980 Endorses the Program of Action for Second Half of United Nations Decade for Women.
1980 Declaration of non-use of nuclear weapons against non-nuclear states.
1980 Emphasises that the development of nations and individuals is a human right.
1980 Calls for the cessation of all nuclear test explosions.
1980 Calls for the implementation of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples.
1981 Promotes co-operative movements in developing countries.
1981 Affirms the right of every state to choose its economic and social system in accord with the will of its people, without outside interference in whatever form it takes.
1981 Condemns activities of foreign economic interests in colonial territories.
1981 Calls for the cessation of all test explosions of nuclear weapons.
1981 Calls for action in support of measures to prevent nuclear war, curb the arms race and promote disarmament.
1981 Urges negotiations on prohibition of chemical and biological weapons.
1981 Declares that education, work, health care, proper nourishment, national development, etc are human rights.
1981 Condemns South Africa for attacks on neighbouring states, condemns apartheid and attempts to strengthen sanctions. 7 resolutions.
1981 Condemns an attempted coup by South Africa on the Seychelles.
1981 Condemns Israel's treatment of the Palestinians, human rights policies, and the bombing of Iraq. 18 resolutions.
1982 Condemns the Israeli invasion of Lebanon. 6 resolutions (1982 to 1983).
1982 Condemns the shooting of 11 Muslims at a shrine in Jerusalem by an Israeli soldier.
1982 Calls on Israel to withdraw from the Golan Heights occupied in 1967.
1982 Condemns apartheid and calls for the cessation of economic aid to South Africa. 4 resolutions.
1982 Calls for the setting up of a World Charter for the protection of the ecology.
1982 Sets up a United Nations conference on succession of states in respect to state property, archives and debts.
1982 Nuclear test bans and negotiations and nuclear free outer space. 3 resolutions.
1982 Supports a new world information and communications order.
1982 Prohibition of chemical and bacteriological weapons.
1982 Development of international law.
1982 Protects against products harmful to health and the environment .
1982 Declares that education, work, health care, proper nourishment, national development are human rights.
1982 Protects against products harmful to health and the environment.
1982 Development of the energy resources of developing countries.
1983 Resolutions about apartheid, nuclear arms, economics, and international law. 15 resolutions.
1984 Condemns support of South Africa in its Namibian and other policies.
1984 International action to eliminate apartheid.
1984 Condemns Israel for occupying and attacking southern Lebanon.
1984 Resolutions about apartheid, nuclear arms, economics, and international law. 18 resolutions.
1985 Condemns Israel for occupying and attacking southern Lebanon.
1985 Condemns Israel for using excessive force in the occupied territories.
1985 Resolutions about cooperation, human rights, trade and development. 3 resolutions.
1985 Measures to be taken against Nazi, Fascist and neo-Fascist activities .
1986 Calls on all governments (including the USA) to observe international law.
1986 Imposes economic and military sanctions against South Africa.
1986 Condemns Israel for its actions against Lebanese civilians.
1986 Calls on Israel to respect Muslim holy places.
1986 Condemns Israel for sky-jacking a Libyan airliner.
1986 Resolutions about cooperation, security, human rights, trade, media bias, the environment and development.
8 resolutions.
1987 Calls on Israel to abide by the Geneva Conventions in its treatment of the Palestinians.
1987 Calls on Israel to stop deporting Palestinians.
1987 Condemns Israel for its actions in Lebanon. 2 resolutions.
1987 Calls on Israel to withdraw its forces from Lebanon.
1987 Cooperation between the United Nations and the League of Arab States.
1987 Calls for compliance in the International Court of Justice concerning military and paramilitary activities against Nicaragua and a call to end the trade embargo against Nicaragua. 2 resolutions.
1987 Measures to prevent international terrorism, study the underlying political and economic causes of terrorism, convene a conference to define terrorism and to differentiate it from the struggle of people from national liberation.
1987 Resolutions concerning journalism, international debt and trade. 3 resolutions.
1987 Opposition to the build up of weapons in space.
1987 Opposition to the development of new weapons of mass destruction.
1987 Opposition to nuclear testing. 2 resolutions.1987 Proposal to set up South Atlantic "Zone of Peace".
1988 Condemns Israeli practices against Palestinians in the occupied territories. 5 resolutions (1988 and 1989).
1989 Condemns USA invasion of Panama.
1989 Condemns USA troops for ransacking the residence of the Nicaraguan ambassador in Panama.
1989 Condemns USA support for the Contra army in Nicaragua.
1989 Condemns illegal USA embargo of Nicaragua.
1989 Opposing the acquisition of territory by force.
1989 Calling for a resolution to the Arab-Israeli conflict based on earlier UN resoltions.
1990 To send three UN Security Council observers to the occupied territories.
1995 Afirms that land in East Jerusalem annexed by Israel is occupied territory.
1997 Calls on Israel to cease building settlements in East Jerusalem and other occupied territories. 2 resolutions.
1999 Calls on the USA to end its trade embargo on Cuba. 8 resolutions (1992 to 1999).
2001 To send unarmed monitors to the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
2001 To set up the International Criminal Court.
2002 To renew the peace keeping mission in Bosnia.
good research..

NPT is condemned to die.

You used the Daily Mail as a source. You lose.;)

That was my immediate thought upon reading the OP, yes. ;)

Anyway, a few months ago representatives of all 192 member nations made their annual speech to the UN, and I watched many of them. One of the most recurring themes was the desire for reform. Reform of the UN Security Council, to include new permament members and/or to limit the power of the "big five" (US, France, UK, China, Russia).

Of course, no power on earth can limit the authority of those five if they don't limit themselves willingly, so the UN seems condemned to institutional paralysis on that front.

For information on the Big Five's use of their veto right in the UN, see here (http://www.globalpolicy.org/security/membship/veto/vetosubj.htm). The USA last used its veto on November 11th, 2006, to block a proposal which had received a 2/3rd majority approval from the UNSC.

Since the year 2000, the USA has used its veto 10 times, Russia once (in 2004), France, the UK and China never. China last used its veto right in 1999, France and the UK in 1989.

We've reached a situation where the US is perceived by many member countries as one of the main causes of institutional paralysis in the UN. Especially when one takes into consideration the fact that the US withholds its membership dues from the UN, thus preventing the UN from having access to enough funds to do its work properly. Which in turn enables the US to cynically accuse the UN of being dysfunctional...

If you want to find out directly what's going on in the UN, instead of just relying on partial stories from the media, you can go to the UN's website (http://www.un.org/english/index.shtml). You can even watch debates live here (http://www.un.org/webcast/), or go to the UN's news centre (http://www.un.org/News/).

How many people know, for example, that Iran recently asked the UN to force Israel to give up its nuclear weapons (http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/E8F80F7F-E1A8-49A5-8424-EAA471228126.htm)? How many people know who is actually a signatory of the NPT and who isn't? (The answer is, Iran is a signatory; North Korea has withdrawn from the NPT; and India, Pakistan and Israel have never signed the NPT.)

How often do you hear a reminder that, by signing the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (http://www.fas.org/nuke/control/npt/text/npt2.htm), the US, UK, France, Russia and China agreed to substantially decrease their own number of nukes, with the ultimate aim of full nuclear disarmament?

The UN has already condemned itself to institutional paralysis through the tradition of inaction.

To the OP:


What - beyond the work of the UNSC - are you dissatisfied with?