Monthly Archives: May 2005
News Roundup #12
Selected summary of United Nations related news and events
UN demands independent probe into Uzbek killings
‘Core’ UN staff returning to Afghan city hit last week by riots
UN meeting for South Asia seeks end to violence against children
Sen. Wirth Testifies on UN Reform
From the UN Foundation website: “United Nations Foundation (UN Foundation) President and former U.S. Senator Timothy E. Wirth testified before the House International Relations Committee at a hearing today on UN reform. Senator Wirth outlined five key points which will be essential to a constructive reform process that achieves meaningful and lasting results. He also urged Congress to support UN reform without the threat of withholding UN dues, an action which most often is cost-ineffective and counterproductive.”
Diplomatic License
Transcript of CNN’s program Diplomatic License, which aired on May 15th, 2005, covering “Current Events at the United Nations.”
Excerpt:
GEORGE LOPEZ, NOTRE DAME UNIV.: Well, remember, we know that $4.4 billion in Oil For Food needs to be accounted for. This may be a good deal of that. What we also know is that it is nearly triple that amount worked outside the system, with the approval of individual members of the council, and the dialogue in the media up to this point has focused almost exclusively on the secretariat and not on the member states and the Security Council.
Blog Roundup #12
A sampling of United Nations related blog commentary
WASHINGTON NOTE: “I have heard lots of “non-denial denials” in the past, but George Galloway’s rejection and “full-body denial” of all accusations posed by Norm Coleman yesterday was as clear and resolute as could be imagined. Coleman and Senator Carl Levin clearly have access to some intelligence that makes them think that Galloway is guilty of some complicity in the U.N. Oil-for-Food scandal, but if Galloway is correct, which he declares boldly himself to be, then there is something deeply wrong with the intel we are getting out of Iraq.”
THE MODERATE VOICE: “British politician George Galloway was in Washington yesterday to clear his name in the oil-for-food scandal – and came out with both verbal barrels blazing as he ripped into what he suggested was the hypocrisy of American politicians and the Bush administration.”
MAHABLOG: “Julian Borger and Jamie Wilson of the Guardian dropped a bomb on the UN oil-for-food scandal so beloved by the Right, but don’t hold your breath waiting for the righties to acknowledge it.”
PARDON MY ENGLISH: “The United States Air Force is seeking a new national security directive which may allow the U.S. to field offensive and defensive space-based weapons systems. While it is to be expected that there will be the usual caterwauling from the “peaceful uses of space/let the United Nations govern the universe” crowd, they should be paid precious little heed.”
News Roundup #11
Selected summary of United Nations related news and events
UN expert extends stay in Lebanon in preparation for 29 May elections
Senate Tries to Untangle Oil-For-Food
U.N. Taps Management Chief, Makes Reforms
Marking its 60th anniversary, UN in New York stages its first documentary film festival
UN panel urges ban on making smallpox from scratch
UN Unveils Reforms in Response to Volcker Criticisms
“Deputy Secretary-General Louise Frechette unveiled a series of reforms undertaken by the United Nations in response to criticisms of UN management from entities appointed by Secretary-General Kofi Annan and from the world body’s own staff.
“Unprecedented challenges” faced by the UN have shown that the world body must immediately reform those areas that are in the Secretariat’s purview and are not dependent on approval from Member States, said detailed background information distributed prior to a press briefing by Ms. Frechette.” Full Story
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The SC; HRC; DPRK; South Sudan
The SC: The Security Council today held its last consultations under the Council Presidency of ROK. Tomorrow, Russia will take over the rotating Presidency of the Security Council for March under Ambassador Vitaly Churkin.
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The SG; Mali; Middle East; Palestine
The SG: At the Fifth Global Forum of the UN Alliance of Civilizations in Vienna, Austria today, the SG emphasized the role of youth in ensuring a “prosperous, equitable and peaceful future.”
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The SG; DRC; HRC; Palestinian Prisoner
The SG: In Ethiopia over the weekend, the SG is now in the United Arab Emirates. Today he met with Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashed Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, where the two discussed developments in the region, including Syria, Iran, Lebanon, Egypt and Jordan, and in the Middle East Peace Process.
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