POLITICS: Annan Defends United Nations as 'Vital to Humanity'

Kofi Annan has addressed major failures of the United Nations currently known to date. He states that from his life's involvement and work in the U.N. he personally believes it is 'Vital to Humanity' that we keep the institution in place. He also stresses the importance to continue to develop it as an independent and impartial organization for world peace.

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Lost faith in a global system of governance and assistance, corruption and crimes against humanity have led to a disasterous state of the United Nations. Rapes by Peacekeepers, Oil for Food Scandals and the inability of the U.N. to prevent the United States from unilateral military action against Iraq have really put the U.N. on the spot.

Kofi Annan responds saying it is vital to humanity but we must ask ourselves - why?

Would not the thousands upon thousands of people doing humanitarian work within the United Nations be able to continue their work if the United Nations did not exist. Do we really need such a large organization to facilitate assistance to nations in need? Isn't it possible that without the United Nations we would one not have these abuses of power documented now which presses Annan to make such an address and two would be able to assist people in need no matter what country they come from?

[edit on 22-2-2005 by 00PS]

What he means is that the UN is vital to his bank account
and his son's bank account. The UN wasn't 'vital' to
Somolia, Rwanda, or Iraq. Millions are dead because of the
inaction of the UN. The UN hasn't been 'vital' to the poor
souls sold to slavery in Africa (YES, it's still going on), and
to the poor children sold to sex slavery in Indonesia.
Tens of thousands of lives lost to slavery. Perhaps hundreds
of thousands. The true figure is too large and too sad for
people to be able to wrap their heads around.

The U.N. isn't vital to anyone except the thieves that run it
and that make a living sucking the life blood out of nations
through it.

the U.N.

Exactly...now is the time to put more pressure on the U.N. to expose it's evil intentions and subordinate relationship to the illuminati! What can we do?

Ok, move the UN to Gaza, or the Sudan, or the Ivory coast. Pull all US funding Private and Public. Just let it die

Well that really isn't going to happen, what are you trying to say? The quickist way to dismember the United Nations would be to publically expose it in an embarassing way that even nations individually could not support it and help to defend it.

*forgot a word*

[edit on 22-2-2005 by 00PS]

The United Nations is a social experiment that failed. Too much power was put in the hands of individuals that could not handle it. "Absolute power corrupts absolutely". The latest scandals are just the icing on the cake.
The USA does not need nor does it heed the UN. No other country in the world heeds the UN either. Look how long Saddam thumbed his nose at the Secruity Council. With the ever growing EU and NATO, the UN has out lived its usefullness. We should condem the building, which is in taters anyway, deport the whole lot and deal with countries that want to be our allies. The only country on the face of the earth that can come close to the USA's military is China. So there isn't any real threat other than terrorist.
We are withdrawing our troops from Korea, France and Germany (about time). The new hot spot is the Middleast. The United Nations has done nothing to help the situation there. Actually, it has done more harm than good. Personally I say pull out of the UN and let it die. Then concentrate our time and money on our real allies and fighting terrorism.

I nod my head to a lot of what you say but when I finish I have to say that it will never happen. American Imperialism is alive and in full swing and only death with deter it off its course to total world domination. We will have it all by force if necessary and will never level off and ride off into the sunset. Sorry.

I think that a type of UN is necessary for world peace and well being, UN needs to be reform and reshape to fit into the modern world we have now.

I don't believe in one world or countries control entity, but a collective one with better standards and more higher purpose.

I agree. IMO - for all its flaws, the UN is the only world organization that even tries to represent ordinary people. Without the UN we'd be at the total mercy of the WTO, and totally under corporate rule. Not my idea of a good time.



.

That whole America is the best country in the world speech was rather sickening. You should visit many countries before you tell that lie to people.

Been there, done that! It is still the best thing going today! No other country is willing to do anywhere near as much as the USA. Doesn't matter what country you are from, mine will still trump it..............
I am not in the habit of lying nor would I accuse someone that I do not know of lying. I may suggest that I disagree with your opinion but I would never be so blatantly self righteous as to assume that you are a liar. Isn't it possible that I actually believe in and love my country. That does not make me liar, that makes me a proud American.

[edit on 22-2-2005 by Yorga]

The UN was born out of pains of two world wars. With all its shortcomings, it's a forum that might be able to prevent a major confrontation in the future. "Might" is good enough for me to justify its existence, even though it failed to prevent the rape of Serbia and the invasion on Iraq which was apparently done under false premises.

Just ignore the trolls, OOps. They go away if you don't feed them

First a liar, then a troll! Damn I must've stepped on some toes. Didn't realize that this was such an Anti-American forum. Too bad everyone here seems to be so anal. I would have enjoyed an intelligent and
thought provoking debate regarding the need of the UN and America's
place in the world order. I apologize if my personel point of view and free expressions threatened your comfortable, one dimensional sensiblities.
There's a saying that 'The hit dog barks the loudest'.

Actually this is an Anti-Ignorance forum and we are not anal. We enjoy intelligent and thought provoking debate regarding all topics and issues of the world. You shouldn't apologize for your views, you should apologize for labeling us as havine one dimensional sensibilities and being comfortable in them. The whole paragraph you wrote seems rediculous to me and I will show you why.



America does not Dominate the world. And if you think it does you are a victim to your own propaganda machine. America spreads and exerts influence over the globe but so does every country. And just because you think America has the most influence over the world doesn't make you right. I question the fact you have 'been there and done that' If you have truley been around the world you would know this and not make such an ignorant statement.



Once again your general statements can be supported by history books your government prints and produces, but I can assure you the alliances between the old soviet states and mother russia is still in tact. Why else are we fighting so hard for Ukraine. One reason is that Russia still stores weapons in old soviet states, now why would they do this if they still were not centrally unified? The USSR is no more is a statement you can make but in relation to your America is greater statement I think you need to read deeper.



I don't think you know anything about China. 'Comes close to an Actual Threat'??? If America ever invaded China the Americans would be swallowed up. You have no idea. It is impossible for America to invade and take over China. Bottom line.




The only real enemy you have is your government.




Then you are facist because the world should not be nore any country nor any person be dominated by any other person or country, that is slavery. But if you can be the slave master you would rather be it right mr. American?




Please expand on this, this seems like nothing but crap.




You mean you wish you were hated by everyone because it could make you feel you have something they dont. Like I said, go around the world and you will find places where people live better and more free lives than Americans. You will find them in the places you least expect too.



They are the nation that wants their boots on the ground in any and every country no matter the excuse be it crisis or war, they want world domination.



Your are not the best people in the world.




How about Imperialist and Facist??



You suppose if it wasn't the Americans trying to take over the world it would be some other country and that America is our saviour. HOGWASH




[edit on 24-2-2005 by 00PS]

Actually OOPsie you kinda made my point for me

Also what I said about the Hit Dog! I can hear you yelping from here

Talking about being Anal

Oh and I do try to avoid ignorance when possible, sorry I'll do a better job
avoiding you in the future

Actually this is an Anti-Ignorance forum and we are not anal. We enjoy intelligent and thought provoking debate regarding all topics and issues of the world. You shouldn't apologize for your views, you should apologize for labeling us as havine one dimensional sensibilities and being comfortable in them. The whole paragraph you wrote seems rediculous to me and I will show you why.
America does not Dominate the world. And if you think it does you are a victim to your own propaganda machine. America spreads and exerts influence over the globe but so does every country. And just because you think America has the most influence over the world doesn't make you right. I question the fact you have 'been there and done that' If you have truley been around the world you would know this and not make such an ignorant statement.

One only needs to open their eyes when traveling the world to see that American culture is copied and in all corners of the globe. American styles, movies, cars, technology, food, business, sports, etc. etc. Everyone and that includes China, is affected by more than just influence. McDonalds
anyone? Apparently you need to get out more and take those blinders off.
Oh, I realize it is hard to travel carrying such a large chip on your shoulder.



Once again your general statements can be supported by history books your government prints and produces, but I can assure you the alliances between the old soviet states and mother russia is still in tact. Why else are we fighting so hard for Ukraine. One reason is that Russia still stores weapons in old soviet states, now why would they do this if they still were not centrally unified? The USSR is no more is a statement you can make but in relation to your America is greater statement I think you need to read deeper.

The United Soviet Socialist Republic does not exist. Ukraine is a free nation with a duely elected free president. Maybe you forgot they ousted the Putin puppet! Here again your do not make your point!


I don't think you know anything about China. 'Comes close to an Actual Threat'??? If America ever invaded China the Americans would be swallowed up. You have no idea. It is impossible for America to invade and take over China. Bottom line.

I stand by my orginal statement. You may bloody our nose but America could and would annilate China. For one thing America would never invade
on the ground until your 2 million man army was destroyed. In a conventional war America would just lob cruise missles until there was nothing left. Any missles China gets off will be knocked down by weapons you don't even realize we have. If a nuclear war is more your liking then
there is enough fire power on one American attack sub to destroy China in one fatal barrage. If China is so powerful and can take the USA then why don't you just start by taking Tiawan? Agai your argument is laking!


The only real enemy you have is your government.

But that is what I said, duh! Unlike your China, the USA government is of the people and for the people. It is a freely elected government put in place by the majority of it's citizens, hence the word 'ourselves'. Think about that the next time you are standing in line at the polling place!
Oh, I'm sorry! You don't have a say in your governments affairs do you?


Then you are facist because the world should not be nore any country nor any person be dominated by any other person or country, that is slavery. But if you can be the slave master you would rather be it right mr. American?

Can you not carry on a simple conversation without resulting to name calling? Very immature of you! I think I already proved that America dominates the world scene. Another good example is how every country in the world was so glued to their TV's during our last election. It's too the point of being annoying how every nation in the world gets involved
in our polictical process. Wonder why they do that? Could it possibly be because the USA is the dominating influence in the world today. Could it be that the worlds polices are dominated by who we elect as a President. There are many ways of dominating, not just physically. Of course you knew that right?



Please expand on this, this seems like nothing but crap.

Perhaps you need to read more. It is the sole purpose of the EU.
What do you get if you combine the Gross National Ptoduct of all the countires in the EU? The GNP of the USA, wow imagine that!


You mean you wish you were hated by everyone because it could make you feel you have something they dont. Like I said, go around the world and you will find places where people live better and more free lives than Americans. You will find them in the places you least expect too.

No, I mean exactly what I said. America is hated in France, Germany
and other European Countries. They have selective memories as does China. American GI's fought and died on thier soil during WWII. American money rebuilt Europe and Japan after the War. American Pilots died helping to defend China, ever hear of the Flying Tigers? Those nations
owe a debt to America that they will never be able to repay. Their
gratitude has turned to resentment and hatred.




They are the nation that wants their boots on the ground in any and every country no matter the excuse be it crisis or war, they want world domination.

This remark doesn't even deserve a response. But I will say that we want all people of the world to enjoy the freedom that we as a people enjoy.


Your are not the best people in the world.

Oh and China is, give me a break! Don't get me started about how great a country China is, yea right!



How about Imperialist and Facist??

No actually it is Capitalist, something that China is getting a ever growing taste for. Check back in ten years after American influence totally dominates China.


You suppose if it wasn't the Americans trying to take over the world it would be some other country and that America is our saviour. HOGWASH

Japan kicked your butt in WWII and they are only a small island. Will one thing is for sure, you will never have to worry about the USA ever coming to your aide. No the USA is not your saviour, but we are your Daddy!



[edit on 24-2-2005 by 00PS]