House OKs U.N. reform bill
By Stephen Dinan
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
"The House voted to withhold half of its dues from the United Nations unless it dramatically changes its bureaucracy, peacekeeping missions and the rules for its human rights organizations."
HeavyHanded approves of this step taken by the House. It was largely a vote along party lines (surprise, surprise) with a few Republicans voting against it.
"When it comes to sanctions against the United Nations for failing to reform, if you leave it to the discretion of the State Department, you're plowing in the sea," said Rep. Henry J. Hyde, Illinois Republican and chief sponsor of the bill. "Let's begin real reform of the United Nations -- a monumental task, a long road ahead -- let's begin it here and now, June 17, right in this room."
"U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan criticized the bill, saying through a spokesman that with-holding dues is not 'a productive route' to reform and could jeopardize his own proposals, expected to be discussed in September."
The fact that Kofi Annan is against this bill is understandable, and also tells me that it is the right thing to do.
"Rep. Christopher Shays, Connecticut Republican, said the majority's bill would be playing into the wishes of 'evil minds' in the U.N. who want to see dues withheld because it gives them another reason to attack the United States."
HeavyHanded says, sorry Rep. Shays, the "evil minds" in the U.N. need no additional motives to attack the U.S. They need no help in this matter; because they can make up any reason out of whole cloth and the media is always a willing participant to promulgate the attacks.
"Rep. Mike Pence, Indiana Republican and co-sponsor of the main bill, said this was the only way to restore Americans' faith in the United Nations.
'This was never about bullying the U.N., this was never about trying to dismantle the U.N. The [bill] was about taking a tough love approach to restoring the credibility and integrity of the United Nations in the 21st century,' he said.
Mr. Pence said public support can push the measure through. 'The only folks we have on our side are the overwhelming majority of the American people who are hung up on the notion it's their money, and they should decide, not diplomats, how their tax dollars are spent,' he said. 'If the American people engage on this issue, the president will sign a U.N. reform act with teeth.'"
And engage, and support, we most definitely should.
By Stephen Dinan
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
"The House voted to withhold half of its dues from the United Nations unless it dramatically changes its bureaucracy, peacekeeping missions and the rules for its human rights organizations."
HeavyHanded approves of this step taken by the House. It was largely a vote along party lines (surprise, surprise) with a few Republicans voting against it.
"When it comes to sanctions against the United Nations for failing to reform, if you leave it to the discretion of the State Department, you're plowing in the sea," said Rep. Henry J. Hyde, Illinois Republican and chief sponsor of the bill. "Let's begin real reform of the United Nations -- a monumental task, a long road ahead -- let's begin it here and now, June 17, right in this room."
"U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan criticized the bill, saying through a spokesman that with-holding dues is not 'a productive route' to reform and could jeopardize his own proposals, expected to be discussed in September."
The fact that Kofi Annan is against this bill is understandable, and also tells me that it is the right thing to do.
"Rep. Christopher Shays, Connecticut Republican, said the majority's bill would be playing into the wishes of 'evil minds' in the U.N. who want to see dues withheld because it gives them another reason to attack the United States."
HeavyHanded says, sorry Rep. Shays, the "evil minds" in the U.N. need no additional motives to attack the U.S. They need no help in this matter; because they can make up any reason out of whole cloth and the media is always a willing participant to promulgate the attacks.
"Rep. Mike Pence, Indiana Republican and co-sponsor of the main bill, said this was the only way to restore Americans' faith in the United Nations.
'This was never about bullying the U.N., this was never about trying to dismantle the U.N. The [bill] was about taking a tough love approach to restoring the credibility and integrity of the United Nations in the 21st century,' he said.
Mr. Pence said public support can push the measure through. 'The only folks we have on our side are the overwhelming majority of the American people who are hung up on the notion it's their money, and they should decide, not diplomats, how their tax dollars are spent,' he said. 'If the American people engage on this issue, the president will sign a U.N. reform act with teeth.'"
And engage, and support, we most definitely should.
posted by HeavyHanded at
3:42 PM
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