NYT: Dr. Gingrich: Wise Prescriptions (for reform of the UN)

New York Times ^ | June 16, 2005 | Editorial

[OESY]

A bipartisan, Congressionally mandated task force headed by Newt Gingrich, the former House speaker, and George Mitchell, the former Senate majority leader, has presented a clear statement of America's national interest in a revived and effective United Nations. Their balanced and thoughtful report, prepared over six months, features an unsparing analysis of the U.N.'s current problems and weaknesses. It also offers constructive recommendations on mobilizing Washington's powerful influence to promote urgent and necessary reforms....

The task force report offers useful proposals on restraining nuclear and other weapons proliferation, and on peacekeeping and peace-building, human rights, economic development, and strengthening the U.N.'s badly discredited management systems. It offers more than 100 specific recommendations, and while we do not agree with every one, we can readily endorse most of them.

The most important include the creation of an independent audit and oversight board, more militarily robust peacekeeping operations, strengthened access and inspections rules for the International Atomic Energy Agency and other international bodies monitoring the proliferation of unconventional weapons, and stronger cooperation between the United Nations and the World Bank.

It also usefully calls for stronger measures to prevent and punish sexual abuse by peacekeepers; enhanced protection for whistle-blowers; American leadership in preventing genocide, starting with Darfur; and United States support for regional war crimes tribunals and truth commissions.

Along with its deserved criticism of U.N. problems, the Gingrich-Mitchell report refreshingly notes that many of the charges commonly leveled against the United Nations - for example, its failure to halt genocide and other threats to humanity and peace - should more properly be directed against those member states that blocked or undermined effective international action.

It also takes note of the ambitious reform agenda proposed earlier this year by Mr. Annan... like replacing the morally bankrupt Human Rights Commission....

[Piquaboy]

To start off this reform, kick them to heck out of the U.S. and cut off all our funding of it.

[fooman]

The NYT must really think that the UN is in trouble if it is sucking up to newt.

[xzins]

Gingrich must be sipping UN kool aid.

[kevkrom]

Here's my idea of reform: burn it down and start over with a new concept, that includes at a minimum:

• Only states with fair and open elections may apply
• Participating governments must respect the rights of all of their citizens
• The organization has no power over the internal affairs of the member states
• The organization may resolve to take any (reasonable) action other than restricted above, but cannot compel the participation of any of its member states

[Carry_Okie]

The most important include the creation of an independent audit and oversight board, more militarily robust peacekeeping operations, strengthened access and inspections rules for the International Atomic Energy Agency and other international bodies monitoring the proliferation of unconventional weapons, and stronger cooperation between the United Nations and the World Bank.

I see. Let's take a look at this list:

independent audit and oversight board: accountable to whom?
more militarily robust peacekeeping operations: paid for and manned by whom (the UN can't get anybody but us to do it now)? Who keeps the World Police from getting out of line?
strengthened access and inspections rules for the International Atomic Energy Agency and other international bodies monitoring the proliferation of unconventional weapons: enforced by whom and how? See above
stronger cooperation between the United Nations and the World Bank: to what end, pray tell, so that US taxpayers can fund more debt forgiveness so that bankers can go right on lending at high rates to total crooks without any risk???

Sounds like more of the same to me, which would explain the cheering at the New York Times.

[Gipper08]

Forget Newt. We need to PASS HYDE-PENCE on Friday! lets take half of their money now then come back for the rest.

[joesnuffy]

The "Third Way" shill seeks to 'reform'? The UN?
yeah right.