BS: US and the UN

Subject: BS: US and the UN
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Sep 05 - 04:27 AM

I see that the United States is demanding UN help for the people who survived its tragic floods.

The UN will, of course, be delighted to give this help, as it does to any country struck by misfortune.

But does anyone else find it a bit rich that America, which owes a very, very large amount of money in dues to the UN, which it refuses to pay, should make this request?

Subject: RE: BS: US and the UN
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 06 Sep 05 - 06:37 AM

The USA has always wanted to control the UN - the back dues are just an example of it either sulking or trying extortion. Bush and other previous cronies decided it was too difficult, so the would just destroy it.

It must be difficult when all your alleged enemies are showing the sort of compassion that you have always beat your chest over how you are the best (or only) one at...

Subject: RE: BS: US and the UN
From: GUEST,Mrr
Date: 06 Sep 05 - 01:54 PM

I thought this would be something to the tune of Pink Floyd's Us and Them... and after all, they're only ordinary men!

Subject: RE: BS: US and the UN
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 06 Sep 05 - 06:21 PM

Here's part of a report of an interview with Kofi Annan about the hurricane disaster (NB the second, fourth and fifth paragraphs, which touch on some things that have surely been puzzling a lot of people around the world this past week):

United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan says the crisis created by Hurricane Katrina gives the rest of the world a chance to repay the United States for the help it has offered in the past.

Mr Annan says he shares the "disbelief" of many people at the chaos afflicting the world's superpower.

"It has been a huge disaster. I don't think at the beginning one realised the extent of the damage and the disaster," he said.

Turning to the scenes of chaos in the worst-hit areas, Mr Annan says, "I share that disbelief, because normally when we have these sorts of crises, people tend to be humble, they tend to empathise, they tend to come together."

He has contrasted the scenes of violence witnessed in New Orleans with the assistance which victims of the Asia tsunami offered one another.

However, he has declined to make any criticism of the US authorities' handling of the aftermath of the hurricane.

This comes from an Australian source - the interview was on British TV as well - I couldn't find a link to it here though.

Subject: RE: BS: US and the UN
From: GUEST,G
Date: 06 Sep 05 - 06:29 PM

Where can I find the info that will tell me the US is demanding help from the UN?

Kofi is up to his armpits in the 'oil for food' scandal and probably will not survive it. That is one of the positive discoveries to come from the Iraqi war.

Subject: RE: BS: US and the UN
From: Sorcha
Date: 06 Sep 05 - 06:45 PM

If it's true, I find it a bit odd and unbelievable...

Subject: RE: BS: US and the UN
From: John Hardly
Date: 06 Sep 05 - 06:48 PM

Wait 'til Bill Clinton takes over as Sec Gen. That'll fix it all. *BG*

Subject: RE: BS: US and the UN
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 06 Sep 05 - 07:43 PM

The UN is 'offering help' in line with its charter - only the USA 'demands' anything (from its historical record) in International Politics in the UN. :-)

Subject: RE: BS: US and the UN
From: akenaton
Date: 06 Sep 05 - 07:52 PM

I See Fidel Castro has offered 1500 fully trained doctors to help the injured and with disease control.

So far George Bush has not responded to his offer.

I think the poor of New Orleans might be better to get some boats and try to make it to Cuba!!

Subject: RE: BS: US and the UN
From: Peace
Date: 06 Sep 05 - 08:00 PM

The UN offered help to the US and Bush accepted.

Subject: RE: BS: US and the UN
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 06 Sep 05 - 08:14 PM

By snubbing such offers, the US can only lose prestige in the eyes of the world!

The Fall of Rome (Ver 2.0) is well on the unstoppable way!

Subject: RE: BS: US and the UN
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 06 Sep 05 - 08:42 PM

As for the "oil for food" affair, there's a report out this week that should clarify the situation. It seems likely that Kofi Annan's main problem here may have lain in having a very dodgy son, who was able to take advantage of the connections that gave him. Not that unlike George Bush senior, in both these respects...

Subject: RE: BS: US and the UN
From: Peace
Date: 06 Sep 05 - 09:31 PM

I find it hard to believe that honourable people involved in the oil business would get involved in shady dealings. But then I'm gullible (which doesn't appear in the dictionary, BTW).

Subject: RE: BS: US and the UN
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 06 Sep 05 - 09:44 PM

George Bush Sr's dodgy son- I like that.

A lot of us are gullible (and gullable) in dealings with the gully-gully men in business.