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Originally Posted by Kalibah
Let me tie this into this thread.
What good is the U.N.?
Forget Iraq part I , forget Iraq part II.
Forget Somalia, Forget Kosovo- Forget all major conflicts post Cold War where the US has had to take responsibility and be world Police.
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What good is the UN?
Firstly,
consensus.
Without the UN providing all countries with a voice, actions taken by the US, NATO or the EU (for example) smack of unilateralism.
Secondly,
legality.
Like it or not, the US is a signatory of international and UN treaties. It is the UN that decides what is legal or illegal with regards to international law (often by interpreting Geneva Conventions for example).
Thirdly,
morality.
Believe it or not, UN actions are often the
right thing to do. The UN funds and manages hundreds of international organisations, international tribunals and committees that try to improve social, economic, health and cultural issues throughout the world. The UNHCR, UNESCO, UNDP, ECA, ECE, ELAC, ESCAP, ESCWA, ICJ, E-MINE, UNOB, UNOCI, UNMIL, MONUC, UMEE, UNAMSIL, MINURSO, MINUSTAH, UNMISET, UNMOGIP, UNFICYP, UNOMIG, UNMIK, UNDOF, UNIFIL, UNTSO, UNIFEM, UNCTAD, ITC, UNDCP, UNEP, UNIFEM, UNV, UNCDF, UNFPA, UNICRI, UNITAR, UNRISD, UNIDIR, INSTRAW, UNOPS, UNU, UNSSC, UNAIDS, PfII, WTO, IAEA, CTBTO PREP.COM, OPCW, ILO, FAO, WHO, IBRD, IDA, IFC, MIGA, ICSID, IMF, ICAO, IMO, ITU, UPU, WMO, WIPO, IFAD, UNIDO, OSG, OIOS, OLA, DPA, DDA, KPKO, OCHA, DESA, DGACM, DIP, DM, OHRLLS, UNSECOORD, UNODC, UNOG, UNOV, UNON and so on.
If you think the UN is just the Security Council, then you are sorely mistaken. If you think the UN does no good, then you are deluded.
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They are failing to act now- and why?????
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Because there are politics involved. Because often the search for consensus means that actions and declarations are watered down.
Because,
GASP the UN is not perfect. Not like the United States, eh? Yeah, right...
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What good is an organization who puts SUDAN on the head of the human rights council?
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Every country gets to head the Security Council at some stage. From the United States all the way down to Lichtenstein. Imagine that! An organization that trys to be inclusive and offer all nations the opportunity to be part of decision making and direction.
Again, sometimes this is not perfect, but it's a lot better than one nation going around stomping on everyone.
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The same country that is funding the muslim milita that is killing Christians is the head of the human rights wing of the U.N.?
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Yes, it's really not great, is it? Good job they will lose their seat within six months at the longest. Or do you think the US should decide who sits where, for how long and why?
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You have got to be kidding me.
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No. No I'm not. And neither is the majority of the world. And, for that matter, the United States government.
It does more good that you think, or seem to know.
Is it perfect? No.
Does it need reforming? Yes.
Would it benefit if the US actually paid their dues? Absolutely.
Should it be disbanded? Categorically not.
Yes, there have been problems, but they should be resolved. Making stupid statements like "What is the UN good for?" do nothing to improve things.
I could easily say "What good is the United States for?" and list a litany of travesties and disasters in which America was involved. But that
also would be stupid. The United States is undoubtedly the most powerful nation on the Earth. And, for the vast majority of issues, is a force for good. It would server the world community better if it handled its power responsibly and partnered with its neighbours and the world community, rather than take the current arrogant, unilateral stance it seems to be at the moment.
With regards to the United Nations, there is always room for improvement. As there is in what Australia does, what Ireland does, what the US does, what the Post Office does, what your local TV station does... See the pattern?
You probably don't have all the answers in the world. Everything can be improved. It takes a "better" man (or nation) to help improve things rather than stand around bleating about how things are no good and are not worth the effort.
Hopefully you and the rest of the anti-UN cabal can see that.
Mr Mephisto