I do not believe the United Nations should be in New York

[bluestateguy]

I guess this puts me in an odd agreement with anti-UN conservatives, but for different reasons.

I believe in the UN, and its mission, but I think that mission would have more credibility if the institution was located in a truly neutral country.

Obviously, having the UN and all of its ambassadors in New York makes it easier for the US to keep an eye on ambassadors from "undesirable" countries (tap their phones, bug their offices etc.). That is exactly why the UN should be moved to Switzerland.

And think of the valuable real estate New York City would be getting.

[wli]

1. it will be after OPEC switches to the Euro

We'll have approximately as much influence as Niger or Chad then.

[Wabbajack]

17. Better hope that's after *

or else it'll be war.

[ProfessorGAC]

20. Link To The Basis Of This Belief?

Man, i hate seeing this on DU. The currency of choice on a commodity has no impact on the economic or geopolitical influence of a country. It's the other way around. Ask the British.
The Professor

[wli]

23. large reserves of US dollars are needed to purchase oil

So one of the large things propping up the dollar is the currency OPEC uses to trade oil. Countries are holding onto large reserves of dollars so they can buy oil. OPEC goes to the Euro and the US economy goes right down the toilet as the world is flooded by dollars.

So it does have an impact on both economic and geopolitical influence AFAICT.

[ProfessorGAC]

27. That's An Opinion, Not A Fact

It has no basis in economic theory, and there is nothing to support a dominant economy being affected by the change in commodity currencies. Currency of dominance is an outgrowth of economic dominance. The economy would have to go down the tubes FIRST, then the change in in currency would occur due to the devalued currency.

This has happened several times in the past 300 years. It was true in the mercantilism era, the industrial era, and it will remain true in the information era.

In addition, the money is not in reserve. All these funds are transferred electronically, and have been for more than a decade. The money is still in circulation so there are no "dollars" to dump on the market.

The Professor

[tk2kewl]

2. what happens to all the unpaid parkin tickets?

:shrug:

[understandinglife]

3. I agree. For years I have been urging that it be moved to Jerusalem.

WATCH IT; SPREAD IT http://www.bushflash.com/right.html

Peace.

www.missionnotaccomplished.us - How ever long it takes, the day must come when tens of millions of caring individuals peacefully but persistently defy the dictator, deny the corporatists their cash flow, and halt the evil being done in Iraq and in all the other places the Bu$h neoconster regime is destroying civilization and the environment in the name of "America."

[tsuki]

4. No, we should have a part of the UN here. I think Toronto would

be wonderful, or Venezuela. Some of the UN offices are in Geneva.

[Maple]

5. The UN has

a standing invitation to move to Montreal

[getmeouttahere]

6. Switzerland, The Netherlands, Montreal....

anywhere but the U.S., especially since half our country and most of our politicians have no respect for the institution

[fighttheevilempire]

7. Not a bad idea.

I think relocating the UN would be the perfect counter to the US if Bolton threatens it and starts trying to dismantle it. I can't believe the general council hasnt even suggested that war crimes tribunals and sanctions should be enacted for Bush's war in Iraq. Maybe a relocation would put some more spine in the rest of the UN?

[Selatius]

10. The Security Council handles issues of war, not the Gen. Assembly

Besides, there would be no point as the US has a permanent seat on the SC. Anything trying to indict the US or condemn it would automatically be vetoed.

[fighttheevilempire]

13. I disagree

that there would be no point in it. I think the rest of the world is growing annoyed with Boy George. If such a vote were to take place, the results would send a strong signal to the US public about world opinion. The UN needs to be more vocal.

[Selatius]

14. It might not come across that way to the average American

The corporate media isn't exactly a reliable source of information.

[newyawker99]

19. Hi fighttheevilempire!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Squeech]

22. When I was a kid

it was conventional wisdom that nothing deleterious to the international Communist conspiracy could get through the Security Council because Russia had a veto.

Except then the communist North Koreans attacked the South Koreans, and the Security Council authorized a "police action" in defense of the South. The Russian ambassador took the day off. This is what was known as the Korean War.

I wouldn't put it past the rest of the world to schedule some key votes in Mr. Bolton's absence.

[donheld]

18. Welcome to DU fighttheevilempire

:hi: lets move the UN to Ottumwa Iowa :eyes:

[fighttheevilempire]

25. Thanks guys! :)

I appreciate the welcomes. Maybe when I've got the time I'll do a bit better job of introducing myself. Let's just say I've decided to become more active due to my continued digust with the way things are going. Here's hoping 06 brings good things.

[Fiona]

8. I'd love to see them try to move it

I presume such a decision couldn't be made by the Secretary-General alone. If the Security Council had to vote on it, we'd be in the position of having to veto the notion. Then Bush would look downright silly, wouldn't he?

[Maple]

16. The general assembly

would vote on it.

And there would be no veto involved.

If the majority of countries refused to show up as long as it stayed in NY, that would be the end of it no matter what the US said or did.

[CHIMO]

9. I Wonder

If anyone has ever published an analysis on the economic spin offs for the UN.
I think of all the extra work involved. Phones, copiers, couriers, restaurants etc...
All the taxes that are collected from the employees.

Would be interesting to see countries running after the right to host the UN for say five years or so. Much like they do for the olympics.

[Fleshdancer]

11. never thought of it that way before, but you're right

I imagine the economic spin offs are pretty good...hell, security alone would make up a good chunk.

[oscar111]

12. Stockholm, next to the Int'l Peace Res'h Institute

might have the name a bit wrong.
SIPRI, i think

stockholm intnatl peace research institute.

The publicity for SIPRI would give a boost to efforts to end war. We could all use such an end.

Sweden is More neutral than switzerland, i think.

But surely, not in NYC.

[jmatthan]

15. Join the Move The UN Club

We want to Move The UN to a country OUTSIDE of control of the present criminal Power Block of Bush / Blair.

It would reduce operational cost of the UN by a factor of at least 5.
It will ensure that the people of the world rather than Americans staff the majority of various jobs in the UN.
It would ensure that American companies do not get the plum contracts in keeping the UN running in New York.
It would mean that the US would become a contributor rather than a receiver of funds from the UN.
It would mean that the foreign diplomats were not being bugged by FBI / CIA almost continuously.
It would mean that New Yorkers can stop griping and complaining about diplomats misusing their diplomatic privilege as regards parking in their city!!

...more at

http://MoveTheUN.blogspot.com

And give us your reasons why it should move from the US - we are listening!!

Jacob Matthan
http://jmpolitics.blogspot.com
Oulu, Finland

[Taxloss]

21. The first UN site was London.

The three candidates for the permanent site were London, New York, and Geneva.

I don't think the UN should leave that beautiful building, but if it must then I would suggest either London or a developing world location - Maybe Nairobi or Sao Paulo. Or a rotating location, like the Olympics.

[Name removed]

24. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[davidinalameda]

26. move it back to San Fran

they could take back UN Plaza

[LeftCoast]

28. But where would the homeless sleep?

-snark-

:)

[davidinalameda]

30. thank you

[pinotnoir]

29. evict

they could put it in the Presidio (but they would have to evict Speilberg):D

[davidinalameda]

31. it's Lucas actually

and I think they should have a floating HQ in San Fran Bay

little shuttle boats going to and fro