United Nations = imperial puppets?

[m-jean03]

I recently read on article in Global Outlook magazine which was quite derisive of the United Nations and contained some very cutting comments about Sergio de Miello as well as Kofi Annan being partisan agents/ puppets of US imperialism.

I guess I must be naive, because prior to this reading, I had a quite favorable view of the UN. Though not happy with everything that they did, I felt they were basically good. What is your feeling on this (undoubtably complex) issue?

[MAlibdem]

1. My feeling is...

The UN, especially the rotating security council, gives small, authoritarian nations veto power on our foreign policy and coordinates resolutions that call israel racist...

[SOS]

5. Only the 5 permanent members

have veto power on security council resolutions. None of the 10 rotation seats can veto. You need 9 of 15 to pass. Then one of the 5 can veto.

[Sulldogg]

2. I agree witht he concept but...

It's stuff like this: putting Iraq and Iran in charge of the committee on Nuclear Proliferation that makes me doubt that there is anything really productive going on there.

http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/meast/01/28/sprj.irq.disarmament.conference/index.html

I see it as much more window dressing, and attempting to do as little as possible as far as bettering the planet.

[BGAL1965]

3. The UN represents

humanity`s best hope for avoiding global catastrophe and to find a means to PEACEFULLY deal with the myriad issues that cause friction between governments. It is also the best way we have,so far, to deal with natural disasters and bring aide and comfort to the victims and survivors.Ineffecient as it is it remains one of humanites most noble efforts and i am proud to support it warts and all.

[pacifictiger]

4. Part of the UN problem

is the power that the US representative has and unfortunately Kofi Anan and others must tow the line of feigned diplomacy or the whole organization would collapse. As imperfect as it is, it is the best hope the rest of the world has to avoid total pax americana.
When our representative has no integrity, the process suffers.
We have all seen how UN resolutions against certain Israeli actions are given a pass, while whatever the US wants gets enforced. No wonder the terrorists are mad at us. When the US govt appoints people like Negroponte to further their shady deceptions around the world, we are all in trouble.
Bush's Negroponte had dealings relating to the cover up of atrocities in central america during the Reagan era covert cia contra scandal. It is a continuing scandal that he is portrayed as "the good guy" rather than the reality that he is just another BushCo minion.

http://www.redrat.net/thoughts/terrorists/index.htm
scroll down to the section on negroponte

[Deja Q]

6. Only if they support *, after having been urinated on by him

The UN has been waaaaaaaaaaay too soft over the last couple of years and threatening to make itself become, not just look, irrelevant.

But if they are now bending over for *, their credibility has been utterly destroyed.

That includes being waaaaaaaaaay too soft on the US.