Annan's failures, passivity undermine respect for UN

[dArKeR]

By Per Ahlmark

Monday, Apr 19, 2004,Page 9

No other organization is held in such respect as the UN. This is perhaps natural, for the UN embodies some of humanity's noblest dreams. But, as the current scandal surrounding the UN's administration of the Iraq oil-for-food program demonstrates, and as the world remembers the Rwanda genocide that began 10 years ago, respect for the UN should be viewed as something of a superstition, with Secretary General Kofi Annan its false prophet.

Not since Dag Hammarskjold has a UN leader been as acclaimed as Annan. Up to a point, this is understandable. Annan usually maintains an unruffled, dignified demeanor. He has charm and -- many say -- charisma. But a leader ought to be judged by his or her actions when important matters are at stake. Annan's failures in such situations are almost invariably glossed over.

Between 1993 and 1996, Annan was assistant secretary-general for UN peacekeeping operations and then under-secretary-general. One of the two great disasters for which he bears a large share of the blame is the Serbian slaughter of 7,000 people in the Bosnian town of Srebrenica, perhaps the worst massacre in postwar Europe. In 1993, Bosnia's Muslims were promised that UN forces would protect them. This commitment was a condition of their consenting to disarm. The UN declared Srebrenica a "safe haven" to be "protected" by 600 Dutch UN troops.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/edit/archives/2004/04/19/2003137287

[CHIMO]

1. Agree

After his inaction in Rwanda, how can one expect an objective analysis of the pressures presently facing the UN.

The World needs a leader such as Mandela or any other who has proved their strength in the face of might.

[Jim Sagle]

2. Annan spends all his time obsessing over Palestine. Fuck'm.

[0007]

6. The whole world should be "obsessing" over Palestine

....deleted

[Jim Sagle]

7. The whole world IS obsessing over Palestine...

to the neglect of AIDS, hunger, genocide, etc. Why is that?

[0007]

8. Are you trying to tell me that Palstine is the reason for the

neglect of AIDS, genocide and hunger? Why is that?

Or do you believe its Clinton fault?

[Jim Sagle]

9. That's exactly what I'm telling you. And how did Clinton wander into this

dialog?

[Name removed]

10. Deleted message

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[Name removed]

11. Deleted message

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[jaysunb]

3. I long for the day when...

Bill Clinton becomes the secratary-general of the United Nations. He can be the leader for the whole world, a post I'm sure he would be remembered for all times.

[KissMyAsscroft]

4. I agree...he would be great.

The UN only works as much as the countries that belong to it commit to it working.

Can't blame it all on Annan.

[xteddy]

5. Clinton also failed to act

Like Annan Clinton knew in advance of the Rwanda genocide and did nothing! Later he lied about this fact. Really, the last thing the world needs right now, is another American president who wants to lead the world.

[Matilda]

12. Boutros Boutros-Ghali stood up to the western powers (read US, UK)

and the U.S. made sure he wasn't re-elected. He was just too
outspoken by half, and had a mind of his own. That's how Annan
came to get the job - he was the U.S. choice to get their agenda
fulfilled, they felt he wouldn't give them too much trouble.

Part of the problem seems to be the structure of the U.N. itself -
every region has its own agenda, and of course you have the big 5
wielding the power of veto. The Secretary-General can speak up
on certain issues, but I'm not sure how much power he can really
wield. I agree that Annan, although apparently a man of great
charm who is liked by almost everyone, doesn't seem to be the man
for the times, but who, in reality, can stand against the power
of a maverick U.S. President, or make any impression on a leader
grandstanding principally to his own people (Sharon, Mugabe, etc.)?