The United Nations: Persistent Failure To Unite Nations
Prognosis for a comatose world body
TOPE ORIOLA STAFF
“If the UN’s resolutions will not be obeyed, it is better to dissolve the UN honourably”
Since its establishment on October 24, 1945, the United Nations has persistently failed in the discharge of its duties, especially in the areas of prevention of armed conflicts and peacekeeping. The internecine war between Hezbollah (and by extension, Lebanon) and Israel is a strong indication that the UN is, perhaps immaturely, reaching the twilight of its existence. What is the use of a world organization whose decisions are seldom obeyed and flippantly disregarded by those for whom it was established? With member states such as Israel, Iran, North Korea, the U.S. and so forth flouting UN resolutions at will, this giant seems to exist only on paper. The world might well do without this ailing organization.
Several crises could have easily been prevented by a truly “united nations” such as the ethnic cleansing in Bosnia-Herzegovina, the carnage between the Irish Republican Army and English troops, the untold sufferings of Liberians in a 15-year civil war, the pathetic condition of Somalia and the ethno-religious killings in Dafur. The list is by no means exhaustive. With the shameless bungling of the oil-forfood program in Iraq by the UN, those who awarded the UN and Annan the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize might now be sorry that they did. There is an urgent need to chart a new course for the UN and justify its existence.
Two decades ago, the magical year 2000 seemed a long way off and the popular slogan was “education for all,” “housing for all,” inter alia by the year 2000. Now that the year 2000 has come and gone, many are still “functional illiterates” even in apparently “developed” countries. There are fifth-world neighbourhoods in “firstworld” countries. Whether or not the eight millennium development goals of the UN would be achieved by its self-imposed target of 2015 remains to be seen. At the rate the UN is moving, there is cause for genuine concern.
Financial handicap has greatly hampered UN activities, particularly its ability to swiftly respond in periods of crises. The Global Policy Forum (GPF) estimates that the UN and its agencies spend $20 billion every year or $3 for every person on earth. While one can argue about a disproportionate percentage of these funds going into bogus salaries and emoluments for staff and endless talk-shops, the outcomes of which are never used, there is the need for member nations to fulfill their obligations to the world body. The GPF states that as of May 31, 2006, the UN was owed $1,206 in membership arrears of its “regular budget.” The organization indicates that of this amount, the U.S. alone owes 56 per cent or $675 million.
This poses a vested interest problematic: the financial dependence of the UN on the U.S. is unhealthy for its role as an impartial arbiter in world affairs. Alternative ways of funding the UN are crucial. The ongoing proposition of a global tax on the already tax-weary world is an exercise in futility. Part of the current huge taxes in various countries can be contribute towards funding the UN by member states. It might be useful to set a ceiling beyond which no member state can contribute. Funds might be badly wanted, but the independence of the UN must be consistently protected. A scenario where one member contributes 28 per cent of the UN’s entire budget is ridiculous. Hence, America’s overbearing control on the UN.
There is also a need to relocate the headquarters of the UN to a “neutral” country. Countries like Switzerland and Sweden stand above others with a track record of neutrality, especially during the world wars, arms struggle, the Cold War and in terms of the world’s likely liquidator — nuclear weapons. These two countries can and will be perceived as fair umpires by all sides of the divide in the troubles besetting our world. This geographic relocation might appear superficial and academic, but it is an important, though admittedly symbolic gesture. It would go a long way in addressing the perception of the UN as a weeping baby of the U.S..
Members of the Security Council, especially Russia and China, must eschew rancour in the world body. Russia in particular appears to enjoy being seen to be in disagreement with others even when there is no basis for discord. The world is tired of Russia’s oft incomprehensible standpoint such as its bewildering tacit support for North Korea and refusal to accept help for military men trapped beneath the sea on board a submarine on August 12, 2000. Needless to say, they all died because of Russia’s inexplicable pride in what was supposed to be a mere military exercise to display Russia’s military prowess. Russia needs to face the reality that the Cold War is over and the Soviet Union is history.
A combat-ready UN force is long overdue. The situation in Lebanon over the passed several weeks could have been curtailed had there been a combat-ready UN force. This force could have gone into southern Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah rather than the Israeli military. The deaths and wanton destruction on both sides could have thus been avoided.
All member nations of the UN, especially middle powers like Canada, must recover from their collective but selective amnesia. The EU’s inglorious silence in the last four weeks is very disappointing. France was the exception to the rule. France, however, needs to do more, just as Canada should not merely be concerned with evacuation of people.
The failure of the U.S. to heed the UN warning not to unilaterally invade Iraq is still being felt, with over 2,500 US marines sent to an early grave. There is certainly method in the UN’s madness.
All stakeholders must realize that the UN can only operate within the powers accorded it by members. No one should expect miracles from the UN as long as its resolutions are not obeyed by delinquent member states. If the UN’s resolutions will not be obeyed, it is better to dissolve the UN honourably rather than make its leadership appear inept in the eyes of the world. Annan needs to be more discerning as his tenure expires on December 31, 2006 in order to bring “the UN closer to the people.” Resolutions do not implement themselves; time is running out.
Tope Oriola is comment editor of the manitoban, and he is pursuing a masters degree in sociology.
