It would be a pity if between the election coverage and the Saddam verdict, one of the most concise, on-target prescriptions for UN reform were to slip through the cracks. Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK), chairman of the Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information and International Security, sent a four-page letter Friday to UN Secretary-General Elect Ban Ki-Moon. In it, Coburn urges and explains in brief such vital steps as eliminating the UN’s secretive trust funds and other unaccountable slush pools; genuinely opening the opaque budgetary books; holding the UN Secretary-General and other officials to the functions actually allotted to them in the UN charter; delegitimizing rather than dignifying tyrants; and releasing to the public the archives of the Oil-for-Food investigation, which Paul Volcker and Kofi Annan between them have kept secret– thus covering up information about a great many questions still unanswered. You can read Coburn’s letter here.
The Rosett Report
PJM HomeClaudia Rosett
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6 Comments
1. Brian:Alas, if wishes were horses.
I fear that Mr. Moon will be no more inclined to effect the reforms or provide the transparency that the UN needs than is the Kofster himself.
Still, kudos to Mr. Coburn for caring enough to write the letter, and for keeping those of us who are sickened by the UN’s corruption from slipping entirely into the slough of despondency.
And keep at it, Claudia. As far as I’m concerned, you’re by far the most important watchdog we have.
Brian
Nov 6, 2006 - 12:22 am 2. Ritchie Emmons:I like Charles Krauthammer’s idea. Create an entirely new “UN-like” entity that only permits democracies to be members. I imagine that eventually the US would focus more on this organization and the corresponding dollars would be so focused. The result ultimately leading to the UN dying a natural death due to lack of funds from the US and lack of US political backing. Never mind that a new such organization might possibly get something substantial done and at the same time alienate and maybe embarrass the non-democracies – the thought of seeing the UN disappear into irrelevance brings warmth to the heart.
Nov 7, 2006 - 5:45 pm 3. Brian:I guess I’m wondering how the shift in power to a Democratic majority in the House, and possibly in the Senate, would influence our ability to hold the UN’s feet to the fire. What does this mean for John Bolton’s permanent appointment prospects? What does it mean for the number of bucks we contribute to UN funding, or for the enthusiasm of “leaders” to investigate UN corruption?
I noticed with interest a letter from Kofi Annan’s spokesman, which congratulates the Democrats for their victory with what seems to me to be unseemly enthusiasm . . ..
Houston — we have a problem.
Brian
Nov 8, 2006 - 12:14 pm 4. Wizblog:Ideas For U.N. Reform
Claudia Rosett is hoping that our focus on the election won’t prevent the proper attention being paid to Sen. Tom Coburn’s letter to U.N. Secretary General Designate Ban Ki-Moon. Coburn recommends a set of specific reform proposals, including increased…
Nov 8, 2006 - 11:38 pm 5. John:Firstly, the UN is the result of the rules the US helped to draft to found it. If it’s a bureaucratic mess, it’s because it was designed that way; so that the only important part was the Security Council. Frankly, why countries like the UK and France are still doing there baffles me.
Nov 9, 2006 - 12:59 pm 6. Ritchie Emmons:Secondly the arrogance and hypocrisy of the US is truly staggering. The US, like the idiot Europeans, do not have all the answers – the last few years make that abundantly clear. Finally, if everyone is so worried about the wasted money, why does no one care about the $8 billion the US has lost in Iraq through corruption.
And if the UN is so naustiating, I have a suggestion : leave. You’re not greatly welcome…
Brian, Bolton would have to go thru another confirmation process, which may well end in failure as the Dems do everything they can to punish Bush – despite the fact that Bolton has been brilliant at the UN (or as brilliant as could be expected in that organization). If he’s not confirmed by Congress, then Bush could do another recess appt. However, under those circumstances, Bolton could not be paid.
Nov 9, 2006 - 4:54 pm