Is Preferable To War War
So said Winston Spencer Churchill in 1954.
And he knew a little bit about both.
There has been much wringing of hands of late concerning the sorry state of the United Nations…not only here in Canada – but in the United States as well.
As Canadians, we are still smarting from UN observer criticism of the “third world conditions” many of our natives are living in and the charge of “human rights abuses” against those spoiled little brat students in Quebec.
So is the UN dysfunctional?
Of course it is. One need only look at the Tyrant Leaders heading up or having membership on the UNHCR – the organization’s Human Rights Section.
And the recent appointment of Zimbabwe's Mugabe as the UN’s Tourist Ambassador – he, who is banned from visiting many of the world’s nations. (I guess he will have to satisfy himself with brochures).
That does not even deal with the UN’s massive fraud and corruption nor does it include the Body’s complete failure to Keep the Peace around an ever more violent world.
Okay Galagher – ‘why hold on to this expensive charade’?
Because Churchill had it right – talking trumps fighting – most of the time. There does come a time when action is needed but for the most part the need for action (war) can be averted / delayed through negotiations.
To do that you need to have a forum where these characters come together – and fortunately we have one – the same United Nations. We also have 3 Countries on their Board of Directors with absolute veto power – the US, Britain and France. Not a bad thing to have when dealing with the UN’s large number of corrupt and tyrannical member nations.
From my perspective then, if the UN did not exist – one would need to be formed, if for no other reason than to allow all the nations of the world to come together and sound off regardless of how bizarre some of their rantings may be.
The one thing countries like Canada must refrain from doing is putting up the lion’s share of the cash to fund this circus. We need to be frugal in our offerings because we know that our donations will be misdirected and often wastefully spent.
Even though there is value in retaining a dysfunctional organization like the UN – that of course is not the whole answer. We need a world organization that has greater merit than merely providing a place to talk. We desperately need an Organization of Democratic States (ODS) which need I have touched on in earlier Blogs.
There are two primary reasons for this need:
First, to counterbalance the once again growing influence of the Dictatorships – China, the Middle East, Pakistan, and even Russia.
The second and perhaps of greater importance, is the need for a Body that actually makes decisions that will benefit all mankind.
In recent years the G 7-9 group of nations has been performing that function – but this group needs to be expanded and formalized.
It would contain an exclusive group of nations that not only promote Democracy but also the Rule of Law since you cannot have one without the other. That is why I would not allow Russia into the club – they purport to be Democratic but when it comes to the Rule of Law they are found lacking.
With strict adherence to that definition, the ODS would begin by being an Exclusive Club. But over time, it would foster other nations – Associate Members - in developing their institutions so that they too would one day qualify for full membership. The Mugabe's of this world would be left to look in from the outside.
Everything we strive for – freedom, social rest, strong / vibrant businesses and a healthy environment, – would blossom and one day even China will welcome the opportunity to join the club.
As I see it …
‘K.D. Galagher’
