The absence of the world’s key players from the recent United Nations 60th anniversary in San Fransisco surprised even the UN members themselves. The disinterest came as a stark reminder that the world body is facing a crisis and is in desperate need of reform.
There was no Blair, Bush, Chirac or Putin and not even the top UN official, Secretary-General Kofi Annan, bothered to front up. Such indifference has to be an indication of the current lack of enthusiasm of the world’s major players for the organization that is theoretically supposed to monitor and guide the course of world affairs.
Instead, the various events were attended by a crew of political “has-beens” and second-rank officials. Several nations at least sent former prime ministers but the US representative was one Sichan Siv, a member of the UN Economic and Social Council, although former US ambassador to the United Nations Richard Sklar was also in attendance.
The United Nations Charter was signed by fifty countries on June 26, 1945 in the Californian city, but in view of America’s traditional pivotal role in the UN, many delegates understandably question the current administration’s level of commitment.
The appointment of outspoken UN critic John Bolton as America’s new ambassador to the world body has done nothing to dispel those suspicions.
Former Canadian Prime Minister Kim Campbell lamented: “For the United Nations celebration, it would have been nice to have the United States here.” Both the President and Secretary of State declined their invitations.
UN Faces Challenges
A number of serious challenges face the UN in the months to come. The Human Rights commission is meant to be the watchdog for the entire planet. However, the decision to include many of the world’s worst human rights abusers in the decision-making processes has horribly backfired. No country wants to be taken to task on its human rights record and as a result there is constant wheeling and dealing behind the scenes so that very little concrete action is ever taken.
China has been particularly active in following a “divide and rule policy” by using economic leverage to secure bilateral agreements with a host of countries, including Australia, whereby both nations agree not to criticize each other publicly. Instead, they hold talks between themselves behind closed doors a couple of times a year and pay nothing more than lip service to the overall improvement of human rights.
Millions of political dissidents and followers of religions not controlled by the government have been persecuted without so much as a debate being held at the Commission’s annual meeting.
Probably the main reason that the US and others have become so impatient with the UN is precisely because it is so difficult to initiate action on almost anything. This situation could actually worsen with the possible expansion of the Security Council to include India, Japan and maybe others. China will definitely oppose the addition of Japan and Pakistan will demand that they also be included if a seat is given to India.
Secretary General Kofi Annan, in a message sent to the anniversary delegates, said: “Never in the history of the United Nations have bold decisions been more necessary.” Perhaps the Secretary General should have made the bold decision to actually attend the sixtieth birthday party of the organization he leads. Since he did not, it’s probably unfair to criticize the likes of Bush and Blair for not turning up. Some inspirational new blood in that top job is badly needed.
Feeds