[Reverend Blair]

<strong>Written By:</strong> Reverend Blair
<strong>Date:</strong> 2004-03-19 11:30:53
<a href="/article/194253126-canadas-chance">Article Link</a>

<p> Canada, as a middle power with few enemies, is one of the natural choices to help in rebuilding the UN. We have a reputation as a peace keeping country, belong to several multilateral groups, are wealthy, democratic, and arguably have at least some influence with the world’s sole remaining super-power. We have historical ties to the United Nations as well, ties that Annan pointed out in his speech to Parliament. “Canadians have been prominently involved in the United Nations since its early days. John Humphrey was one of the principal drafters of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights. In 1955, Paul Martin Senior, the father of your present Prime Minister, helped overcome political and procedural obstacles to the rapid expansion of U.N. membership — paving the way for the near universality which is today one of our organization's most important assets. Lester Pearson even received the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to resolve the Suez Crisis — a process in which he helped to invent the very concept of peacekeeping,” Annan said.</p> <p> We have a couple of problems too. Our peace keeping abilities have been severely damaged due to budget cuts over the last couple of decades. There is a movement on the right in Canada to base our foreign policy strictly on that of the US. We are increasingly seen by other nations as little more than a colony of the US, which damages our credibility in many multilateral negotiations. Annan didn’t dwell on these, simply asking for more help. </p> <p> Hopefully Paul Martin will see the benefit of providing that help. Canada’s goal of donations to the United nations for aid is 0.7 percent of gross domestic product. When the Liberals came to power our actual contribution was just under 0.5 percent. Our current contributions are half that...0.25 percent.</p> <p> Our military resources are a bad joke. The only thing that enables us to carry out any missions at all are the skills and dedication of our individual military members. How long that dedication can continue with poor equipment, under staffing, and constant missions is anybody’s guess. That it has lasted this long is a tribute to Canadians in uniform. </p> <p> We need to reach that 0.7 percent goal, possibly even surpass it and begin contributing a full 1 percent of our gross domestic product. We also need to rebuild our military and we need to do so with an eye to aiding the UN and performing peace keeping missions. We have neither the budget, nor the population, nor the political support to have a military designed to aid the world’s sole remaining superpower in its overseas adventures. We do have the wherewithal and political support to rebuild our military to carry out and support UN missions though.</p> <p> At the Millennium Summit in 2000, the UN reached a consensus that, “...poverty, hunger, unequal access to primary education, lack of safe drinking water, and diseases like HIV/AIDS and malaria, as well as environmental degradation, are problems that concern the whole world,” Annan reminded us in his address to Parliament. </p> <p> As a trading nation, we have the ability to address poverty and hunger. As a technologically advanced nation we have the ability to help to provide clean drinking water and education. As a wealthy nation we have the ability to help fight diseases such as HIV/AIDS and malaria. Doing these things is not only a benefit to the nations who receive the aid, not only a benefit to the rest of the world, but a benefit to Canada. </p> <p> We are a trading nation and a wealthy nation looking to purchase goods and technology is a far better customer than a poor nation at war with itself. We are also a trading nation that is overly dependent on one customer. Any competent business person will tell you that such a relationship is a poor way to run a business because your best, often only, customer is in a position to put you out of business on a whim. <p> <p> Multilateral institutions such as the UN are a good fit for Canada. We are not large or powerful enough to act unilaterally, but have a history of contributing greatly when needed by other countries. We have an international reputation for fairness. We have an international reputation for acting in the best interests of all involved. </p> <p> Many predicted the untimely demise of the United Nations after the United States began its unilateral invasion of Iraq. Those predictions were wrong. The UN has rebounded, not least because even George Bush was forced to recognise that it is a necessary institution. Bush was forced to return to the UN to ask for help in instituting democracy in Iraq. Not only was Bush forced to acknowledge the authority of the UN, but UN involvement may serve to weaken attempts to install a government guaranteed to be friendly to US interests. </p> <p> None of that is to say that the United Nations has fully recovered. It has stepped back from the abyss, but it is still threatened by the unilateral actions of the Bush regime and growing view that it has become obsolete in the post-Cold War world. Kofi Annan has asked for Canada’s help in building a bridge so the abyss can no longer threaten. </p> <p> If Canada does want to be a leader on the world stage, this is our big opportunity. The leader of the United Nations has come to us and asked for help. He has done so at a time when it is clear that we must change the way we do things domestically. He has done so at a time when it is imperative that we escape from the shadow of our southern neighbour if we wish to survive as an independent nation. He has done so at a time when we can make a lasting contribution and help to make the world a better place. </p> <p> There are some obstacles outside of our own country that we have to work to change. The first of those obstacles are within the UN itself. Annan himself recognised these hurdles in his 2003 progress report on the UN’s Millennium goals when he called for a review of the Security Council, the General Assembly, Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), and maybe even the Trusteeship Council. </p> <p> The continued existence of the presence of permanent members on the Security Council and their ability to veto the wishes of other countries should be the most carefully reconsidered. Why should China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States have more of a say in world affairs than other nations? </p> <p> There are also concerns about how the wealthy states institute trade and aids deals, often to the detriment of poorer countries. Again, this is a natural place for Canada to lead. We are a trading nation, dependent on the US market. We are also a trading nation that, whether our politicians and those in the US admit it or not, the US is dependent on. That gives us a power that most do not share, a power to do the right thing and lead by example. We can offer aid and we can broker trade deals with an eye to the welfare of those in less developed nations. </p> <p> Canada, more than ever before and arguably more than any other single nation, has a chance to work against imperialism by supporting the United Nations and working through other multilateral institutions. Doing that would not only amplify our voice on the world stage, but would be to our benefit socially and economically because of the opportunities it presents. Not doing so leaves us as little more than a satellite state orbiting around an indebted and failing giant. </p> <p> I wish it was possible to trust Paul Martin and his Liberals on these issues. I wish that whoever forms the next government would be likely to continue to do the right thing. Martin’s political record is not one that offers much encouragement in these matters though, and the most likely party to ascend to power should the Martin government fail is little more than a group of fifth columnists who have not had an original thought since Mulroney was in power. </p> <p> Our time is now. Let’s not squander it. </p> <p> Related links:<br> <a href="http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2004/sgsm9190.doc.htm">Kofi Annan’s Address to Canadian Parliament</a><br> <a href="http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1078960505977&call_pageid=968256290204&col=968350116795">Toronto Star: UN Needs Canada’s Assistance</a><br> <a href="http://www.un.org/apps/news/storyAr.asp?NewsID=8176&Cr=millennium&Cr1=">UN News Service Report on Millenium Goals</a><br> <a href="http://www.canada.com/national/nationalpost/news/comment/story.html?id=8dccd291-17e6-4812-acc3-2a7009e7885b">National Post: Kofi the Confident</a> <P> ---<br> Reverend Blair was raised in Saskatchewan and currently lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba. He comes from a long line of social activists and cried on Tommy Douglas before his first birthday. His column appears biweekly on Vive le Canada.

[Guest]

Very funny. The United Nations, a cabal of dictators and self-interested bureaucratic incompetents, is and has been a spectacular failure at just about everything it touches. Kosovo is just the latest example. Resolutions by countries run by dictators would hardly be a good way to run the world. The framework of the UN is the only thing worthwhile, the practices of that organization are appalling.

[Jesse]

The UN is based on cooperation among member states, and is currently being crippled by the US (and a few other countries) treating the UN as impotent, when it is only impotent because they treat it as such.

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Jesse

[Dr Caleb]

But the UN also lacks respect, at least in my eyes. When human rights violators such as Lybia are on the Human Rights comission, and supporters of Terrorism such as Syria are on the Security Council, it tarnishes them.<p> Another good one recently was Isreal's first ever resolution that was word for word the same as what the General Assembly passed as 'Protection and Rights of Palestinian children' (which Isreal voted for) but the resolution was 'Protection and Rights of Isreali Children' and the General Assembly amended it so that it ended up being a condemnation of the Isreali treatment of Palestinians - I lost most of my respect for the General assembly too.<p> <p>---<br>"History does not repeat itself, but it does rhyme" Mark Twain <br />
"The greatest price of not participating in politics is being governed by your inferiors." Plato

[Jim Callaghan]

If the UN does not reject members that are dictatorships and simply tyrannical governments, then they will lose more credibility.

Part of the reason for the UN in the first place was to unite the world, and that will never happen.

Ask countries that have terrible human rights issues to leave, ask other countries that do not show equality to all to leave, and get down to a group that has the same objectives.

China is a disaster in the UN, and there are many more examples.

The US has some problems becoming a member in good standing because of their lack of human rights (Guantanamo Bay), the Patriot Act, the abuse of their system to reduce poverty, and overall because they do not agree with many other countries in trade agreements.

I could go on, but you get the point. The UN as it stands is becoming irrelevant, and they are the only ones that can reverse the trend.

I expect a comment on this matter.



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"Arrogance in Politics is unacceptable"
Jim Callaghan
Minden, Ontario
705-286-1860
www.misterc.ca

[Jim Callaghan]

Mulroney had an original thought ? It wasn't original, it came directly from the US. That is the thought that came after the election that nobody knew about until he signed the FTA !

Nice surprise. I didn't want it, I didn't know about it during the election, but I got it. So did we all !!



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"Arrogance in Politics is unacceptable"
Jim Callaghan
Minden, Ontario
705-286-1860
www.misterc.ca

[Dave Ruston]

The United States is the one who constantly undermines the United Nations, and the United States props up these brutal dictatorships. Rev, the article was great! I couldn`t have said it better myself! CANADA MUST TAKE THE INITIATIVE!!! Both in foreign and domestic policy. I`m tired of mentally colonized people always claiming that if we don`t kiss the A of the US, we`re going to somehow fall into some abyss. THERE ARE OTHER COUNTRIES TO TRADE WITH!!!

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Dave Ruston

[Dr Caleb]

<i>The UN as it stands is becoming irrelevant, and they are the only ones that can reverse the trend. </i><p> Absolutely. Their main difficulty as I see it is they can't use direct force. They can use economic force, but don't use it enough.<p> They should be able to mandate member countries to help. Mandate that drug manufacturers produce cheap AIDS drugs for Africa, ship supplies to Hati. But things like Yugoslavia tarnish their image.<p> They should <b>do</b> more and <b>talk</b> less!<p> <p>---<br>"History does not repeat itself, but it does rhyme" Mark Twain <br />
"The greatest price of not participating in politics is being governed by your inferiors." Plato

[4Canada]

The UN has a place in our world. Inclusion, not exclusion will bring the best results. As far as I can tell the 5 "leading" countries with veto power ruined the UN. The UN needs to be run democratically. All countries have a place at the table, all countries have a vote. No veto powers for anyone. All countries contribute to the peace keepers. No sanctions. Canada has human rights abuses. Considering how wealthy Canada is we are more despicable than those that may be judged unworthy of a chair at the UN table. The UN is no different than a human family. The more included you are in the decision making the more responsible you become. I beleive human rights abuses would decline.

[Reverend Blair]

I don't think booting countries out of the UN is any way to fix it. Where would you stop?

Despite its flaws, and there are many, the UN is really the only game in town. That makes it worthwhile to fix the problems. Since Kofi Annan is recognising that there are problems that need to be addressed and since he asked us for help it would make sense that we take advantage of the situation to actually make things better.

[Kory Yamashita]

There is one reason above all others that we need the UN. It is so essential that it negates past incompetences and the inequalities and injustices that exist in the UN's structure. What I'm talking about is peace-keeping. As long as the UN has peace-keeping missions, there will always be a glimmer of hope for those in truly desperate situations.

That being said, the UN could use a serious overhaul. I agree that the permanent seats on the security council are unfair.

What I don't understand is why the UN is involved in both trade agreements (well, they're discussed there aren't they?) and human rights. As soon as you introduce the motive of profit, you undermine the democratic process. I mean, there's a REASON that a country's leader doesn't get to keep the budget surplus himself right? This is what I was talking about in my comments on the globalization article: the blending of the definitions of capitalism and democracy.

But here's an idea... logistically it might not be implementable, but I just thought people might be able to comment on it:

What if we had two international organisations: one that deals with politics and economics and one that deals strictly with human rights.

The human rights organisation could be composed of an elected member from each country. And in order to sit on the council, your country has to provide a certain percentage of its military exclusively to this organization.

Now why would anyone participate in something that costs money and doesn't directly benefit their country? Well, MAKE it benefit the country. Make a condition stating that in order to get a seat on the political/economic organisation for a country's ambassador/delegate, a country must democratically elect someone to sit on this independent human rights council and provide some military strength to it.

I haven't really thought through the idea. I haven't thought about the strengths and weaknesses much. What do people think?

-KY

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Kory Yamashita

"What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us." - Oliver Wendell Holmes
"As for the futur

[Reverend Blair]

I think the UN has to be like Dirk Gentley's Holistic Detective Agency....solving crimes through the interconnectedness of all things.

Trade deals, human rights abuses, wars, and random stupidity are really what gives us a need for the UN. Those things, in the end, are really all about greed. They are all connected to each other.

I don't know what the final solution is, or that there even is one, but the problems cannot be addressed if the mandate is too narrow.

[Kory Yamashita]

Reverend, the problem that I was addressing is that the current mandate is too weak. International law has no organized enforcement and is powerless against the greatest crimes being committed -- those of the US and its foreign policy.

My idea was to establish a type of agency that is impartial and unbiased to address peacekeeping and disaster relief type situations.

However, I do recognize the need for political and economic pressures to prevent injustices, which is why I suggested a parallel system.

I think there is a need for designated international peace-keeping troops, but that it would need to be limited in power, yet completely independent of other organisations (in order to avoid a power grab). Those were the goals of the system I suggested above.

-KY

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Kory Yamashita

"What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us." - Oliver Wendell Holmes
"As for the futur

[Guest]

I fully agree with Blair's position. I would even take a step further.

The nation-state system is in crisis. In many ways the world already operates as a single society, where everyone’s activities affect everyone else. Unchecked militarism, environmental damage, uncontrolled global businesses, terrorism, international crime, dwindling resources, cruel regimes and refugees are all examples of issues that cannot be properly addressed by individual national governments, or even by voluntary multilateral treaties and agreements. Overcoming these crises requires the establishment of sovereignty and democracy at the world level. Only a democratic federal world government, accountable to humanity as a whole, can effectively look after the interests of humanity as a whole in a fair and balanced manner.

The UN can be viewed as an embryo of a world government. It is, however, often ineffectual because it lacks both legitimacy and authority. Reforming the UN to make it both more democratic and more empowered to act (with a far larger budget and a standing military force) is critical to resolving the main problems created by globablization. In particular, it is hard to see how it is possible to maintain international law and order when national governments can ignore international law with impunity.

Canada can clearly set the goal post and rally the other nations to the cause. It will take a few decades, but we need to start taking incremental steps towards it starting now.

[doron]

The previous post was mine.

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Doron Dekel (www.worldgov.info)