Posted on 12/17/2004 11:29:31 PM PST by kattracks
U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan practically broke his arm the other day in his continuing effort to pat himself on the back. (Hey, someone has to do it.) Annan insisted that the United Nations' current commitment of 25 election monitors for the entire country of Iraq on Jan. 30 will get the job done. ``We have enough people in there to do the work,'' he said during a trip this week to Washington. ``And if need be, we'll put in the staff we need to get the work done. It's not a question of numbers; it's a question of what you need to get the job done.'' Then, in that annoying way he has of asking himself questions, he added, ``Are we doing the job? Yes, we are doing the job.''
Secretary of State Colin Powell responded with one of those excruciatingly diplomatic non-statements. He noted that it's the Iraqi people who will have primary responsibility for safeguarding their own election procedures, then added, ``The U.N. effort seems to be on track in support of the Iraqi effort.''
Whatever that means.
Yes, the U.N.'s team paid dearly for their commitment in Baghdad, losing envoy Serge Vienna de Melee and 21 other staffers. But make no mistake, Annan's commitment or lack thereof to free elections in Iraq is hardly a fitting memorial to those who gave their lives in its cause.
Just once I wish Sec. Powell would say what he is really thinking...."The UN is a totally worthless POS organization, headed by an even more worthless POS Secretary General"
I doubt Sec. Powell harbors such a negative assessment of the U.N....
I suspect Sec. Powell has drunk the U.N. koolaid.
Semper Fi
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.