| Monday, March 07, 2005 |
| Bush to U.N.: Drop Dead |
I have to agree with Fred Kaplan's article in Slate today. As critical and unhappy as I am with the UN - primarily over it's lack of leadership and accountability under Kofi Annan - I also know from working in a collaborative environment, that if you want to fundamentally seek change in a large and complex organization, you must be willing to be part of the solution. Bolton has been a VERY harsh and outspoken critic of the UN and it's policies, and while I might agree with some of his views in that regard, I think it's simply going to add to the world's notion that the US is an arrogant demagogue hell bent on having it our way or no way. And folks, let me tell you that that isn't the way to work, be effective, or be respected in a multinational coalition, and above all, the US needs to gain some respect from the rest of the world right about now.
It's not that Bolton isn't bright, hasn't earned it, or doesn't have the experience to step up to this post, he doesn't have the political diplomacy necessary to be effective in such a highly visible, sensitive role. Condi effectively iced him when he put his hat in the ring to be her second in command. For that reason alone, Bush's appointment is surprising.
A recent Bolton quote: "It is a big mistake for us to grant any validity to international law even when it may seem in our short-term interest to do so, because, over the long term, the goal of those who think that international law really means anything are those who want to constrain the United States."
Yeah - that's the way to win friends and influence nations.....
Listen, I want Kofi Annan gone and a new, more enlightened, more effective leader at the UN willing to make decisions and hold both the UN and the nations that it monitors accountable more than anyone, but Bolton is just going to further alienate the US to the rest of the world and make Condi's job a living nightmare.
And if his humanitarian aide ideology is anything like his arms control stance, God help us all. |
posted by Broadsheet @ 9:36 PM   |
|
| 2 Editorial Opinions: |
-
For all the talk espousing diplomacy at the start of the second Bush term, this appointment looks to be a return to unilateralism. Mr. Bolton has a tendency to eschew diplomatic formalities, aside from his obvious distaste for abiding by standing arms control agreements (recall the abridgement of the terms of the ABM treaty). Moreover, it was he whom the North Koreans did not want at the negotiating table.
His appointment does fit in, however, with this Administrations view of the UN as a body needing fundamental reform. It also fits in with their view of the UN as an unnecessary international body.
Nonetheless, I must admit that I am frightened that someone who touts the irrelevance of international law will represent the world's "moral exemplar" in the world's foremost international forum.
-
I totally agree that the UN needs fundamental reform, and I'd love to see the US help guide that reform, but the international sentiment won't welcome that kind of influence from the US, and this isn't the guy to broker that kind of cooperation. If, as you suggest, the Bushies are trying to blow up the UN and dissolve it - he may just be the trigger man.
|
| |
| << Home |
| |
|
|
For all the talk espousing diplomacy at the start of the second Bush term, this appointment looks to be a return to unilateralism. Mr. Bolton has a tendency to eschew diplomatic formalities, aside from his obvious distaste for abiding by standing arms control agreements (recall the abridgement of the terms of the ABM treaty). Moreover, it was he whom the North Koreans did not want at the negotiating table.
His appointment does fit in, however, with this Administrations view of the UN as a body needing fundamental reform. It also fits in with their view of the UN as an unnecessary international body.
Nonetheless, I must admit that I am frightened that someone who touts the irrelevance of international law will represent the world's "moral exemplar" in the world's foremost international forum.