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| The U.N.: An Institution in Which No Shortcoming Goes Unrewarded. |
| 2004-05-02 |
| Via Instapundit. EFL. No other organisation is regarded with such respect as the United Nations. 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 as its false prophet. Not since Dag Hammarskjold has a UN leader been as acclaimed as Annan. [I remember Hammarskjold; Coffee isn’t fit to wipe his boots.] Up to a point, this is understandable. Annan usually maintains an unruffled, dignified demeanour. 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. [Not by the LLL; intentions are more important than results.] Annan’s failures in such situations are almost invariably glossed over... That is the culture of the UN: believe the best of barbarians, do nothing to provoke controversy among superiors, and let others be the butt of criticism afterwards. Even subsequent revelations about Annan’s responsibility for the disasters in Rwanda and Bosnia did not affect his standing. On the contrary, he was unanimously re-elected and awarded the Nobel Peace Prize... Annan had at his disposal all the instruments of power and opinion [Raoul] Wallenberg lacked. Yet, when thousands or hundreds of thousands of people were exposed to mortal threats he had the authority and duty to avert, alleviate, or at least announce, he failed. Now, despite revelations about bribery in the UN’s oil-for-food program for Iraq, the world is clamouring to entrust Annan with the future of more than 20 million Iraqis who survived Saddam Hussein dictatorship. That is because of who Annan is and what the UN has become: an institution in which no shortcoming, it seems, goes unrewarded. Per Ahlmark is a former deputy prime minister of Sweden Read the whole thing at the link. The leftists in general, and the UN in particular, should be ashamed, but that’s a concept they’re clinically incapable of grasping. |
| Posted by:Barbara Skolaut |
| #1 Excellent - and bluntly accurate - rather unusual for the Ozzie press! Great catch - I'll pass this link on to some of my more persistent idiotarian friends. Thx! |
| Posted by: .com 2004-05-02 11:34:16 PM |