Posted on 03/02/2005 7:55:06 PM PST by HAL9000
LONDON, England (AP) - Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi was quoted as saying yesterday that the United Nations must scrap the Security Council and give its powers to the General Assembly, if it ever hopes to become a truly democratic organisation.In a full-page advertisement in The Guardian newspaper, Gadhafi called the UN Security Council "an ugly, forceful, and horrible instrument of dictatorship - an executioner's whip with no appeal against its judgment, even if its judgment is unfair, biased and harmful."
The Security Council's five permanent members - the United States, Britain, France, Russia and China - have veto powers. It also has 10 non-permanent member countries elected to two-year terms.
The world is better represented by the 191-member UN General Assembly, but "it has no powers, no responsibilities and no respect," said Ghadafi.
He compared it to "a Hyde Park Speaker's Corner, a fantasy," and was quoted as saying that it is a waste of money for countries to send delegates to New York "to take part in its ridiculous funny act".
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan is currently promoting major management and administrative reforms of the United Nations.
Countries such as Germany, Japan, India and Brazil are also trying to become permanent members of an expanded Security Council.
"The notion of broadening the UN Security Council could expose world peace to new dangers and would initiate a cold war that may soon turn hot," Gadhafi was quoted as saying. Instead, he said, turning the world body's powers over to the more representative General Assembly would promote democracy and peace.
If that doesn't happen, he said, Libya and other countries on the General Assembly may simply withdraw from the United Nations.
LOL!
As worthless as the UN is, there could be nothing less democratic than 1 vote for Libya being equal to USA's one vote. How about if votes are by $$ contributions to the UN? Like shareholders...
The Apocalypse is upon us, I actually agree with this.
It's hard to believe that Gadhafi and I see things the same way. Perfection would be if the General Assembly were to abolish the Security Council as the Security Council simultaneously abolishes the General Assembly.
Moammar's comments were made at a press conference where he appeared with his two chief advisors, Larrymar and Curlymar.
No - as long as the UN exists, there *must* be a Security Council. And as long as there's a Security Council, the US must have a veto.
If you must know *why*, see how the Korean War/police action started.
No US veto power = we get screwed by a coalition of the greedy.
Build them a new building in Libya. US OUT!
In the words of the song "You say GADAFFI, I say QUDHAFI"
I know the feeling. What has gotten hold of Gadaffi (or whatever)? He seems to have gone from a dictator to a republican conservative in a blinding flash. Demanding accountability from the UN, demanding that Libya be free, calling the UN useless and threatening to withdraw, claiming he wants Libya and the US to be friends...
I wonder if this could be a real conversion. Real conversions do happen, it's just that he is about the last person I would have expected it from.
No, the first step to a true democracy would be to elect UN officials.
Bill Clinton would love this turn of events. No barriers to becoming Kofi's successor if this were to happen.
Sure, just restrict membership to representative governments and weight by population. Or just let India decide.
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