Iraq relinquishes disarm panel chair

UPI ^ | February 14, 2003 | William M. Reilly

[Indy Pendance]

UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 14 (UPI) -- A U.N. spokesman Friday night said, without explanation, that Iraq has relinquished its four-week turn as president of the Geneva-based Conference on Disarmament, making way for Ireland to take up the slack.

"The Iraqi Mission to the United Nations informed the Secretary-General today that the Iraqi government had sent a letter to the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva saying that they would not be assuming the rotating presidency of the Conference, which they were scheduled to assume on March 17," said the spokesman, Fred Eckhard.

Iraq had been scheduled to take over from Iran, which also suddenly bowed out as head of the world's sole multilateral forum for disarmament negotiations, represented by 66 states.

Ireland's term heading the Conference begins, coincidentally, on St. Patrick's Day.

The conference opened this year's session at the U.N.'s Palais des Nations in Geneva Jan. 21 under the presidency of Ambassador Rakesh Sood, of India.

Following in the presidential rotation were to be, in English alphabetical order, Indonesia, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Iraq, Ireland, and Israel.

But Iran dropped out last month, moving up Iraq a notch. Now, Baghdad has bowed out, putting Ireland in the seat on March 17, St. Patrick's Day, Ireland's national day.

At least the Conference finally agreed on an agenda.

According to its rules of procedure, the Conference "shall adopt its agenda for the year at the beginning of the session. In doing so, the Conference shall take into account the recommendations made to it by the U.N. General Assembly, the proposals by its members, and decisions of the conference."

Last year the Conference was not able to reach agreement on a program of work -- the fourth consecutive year during which it was unable to do so -- and so was unable to start work on substantive issues.

While there was agreement on most of the elements of a program, the main differences remained on the matter of prevention of an arms race in outer space.

[JennysCool]

You got it. The UN is foreign relations dumbed down so all can participate. Just like high school and college.

[LayoutGuru2]

Following in the presidential rotation were to be, in English alphabetical order, Indonesia, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Iraq, Ireland, and Israel.

I am amazed that they were actually able to agree to rotate in "English alphabetical order" - Probably after years of debate.

[Lion's Cub]

I looked at the link, but it doesn't list those countries that signed the treaty. If they are signatories, then I'd guess that they plan to announce that they are withdrawing from the treaty--just like N. Korea. I think it is very telling that they don't want to be subject to inspections.

[montag813]

Isn't it? How is this going to play out?

The genius P.R. people at the U.N. finally realize their blunder. A mere gambit to take away a Powell talking point.

[Lion's Cub]

And, didn't Iran just disclose they were mining urainum? Just for energy, though.....

Yup.

Iran Mining Uranium For Fuel
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/839587/posts

Khatami Says Iran Mines Uranium for Nuclear Plant [surprise announcements]
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/839365/posts

[Travis McGee]

You can bet there is a hole platoon of UN functionaries supporting this do-nothing nonsense at $200,000 per year salary each.

[Grampa Dave]

The UN had received so much negative publicity on Iran chairing the Disarmament Conference, that they probably asked their cash cow Iran to back down.

This Disarmament Conference is typical of what the UN does.

They go to an expensive place like Geneva and spend a small fortune on holding the meeting.

Then, we find out that for 4 years they have done nothing at this conference.

Of course we know that the UN has done nothing for over 50 years re disarming the bad guys who are members of the UN. The rich cash cows like Iraq and Iran have armed themselves with whatever they can buy in the open. Then the UN does nothing just like their latest fiasco this week with Iraq.

[RippleFire]

BUMP

[cake_crumb]

"Last year the Conference was not able to reach agreement on a program of work -- the fourth consecutive year during which it was unable to do so -- and so was unable to start work on substantive issues."

FOUR YEARS?? WANNA BET THE MEMBERS STILL GOT PAID BY OUR TAX DOLLARS TO DO NOTHING??? Proof positive that the U.N. is an irrelevant debating society.

[George W. Bush]

Yes. I expected this. The French got them to do it to avoid the embarassing irony of Iraq effectively chairing their own disarmament. The French are also behind Saddam's ban on WMD and probably Asiz's little trip to hide behind the pope's skirts. Damn frogs. They have no shame.

[Republic]

Could be.

The time is right to suggest the debating society formally known as the UN move to another country. I am sick of hosting this silly goofball group of selfish goons-besides, the prosititute business that skyrockets there (as stated by Bob Dornan) can't be good for NY, no tax revenues and all that.

[BartMan1]

bummp...

[IncPen]

What's your take?

I'm thinking either

A.) They think they're going to be busy else-wise

B.) Some at the UN finally realized the perfidy at hand

WTF?

[KarlInOhio]

Or someone realized that it would be embarassing to replace the chairman with a US Army Major appointed by Iraq when it has a "change of government" pretty soon.