Hello Ebou,
Thank you for putting the records straight on this issue. I think
Jabou and Yus failed to understand the working of the UN as a global
organization. Despite, Koffi Annan, being the Secretary General, and
an African for that matter, does not put any weight on his decision
making, without the support of the Security Council. Any major
decision to be taking must be backed by this Council, which included
the permanent members, with Veto Powers. Unfortunately, Africa as a
whole, cannot influence any decision without the backing of the
Council.
I therefore see no reason how Mr. Annan, being an individual in this
global organization, who cannot take a decision without the backing of
the so-called powers, with veto powers, can influence any decision
pertaining to Africa.
What we need to criticise is the veto power, which exclude Africa as a
continent, not an African, being the Secretary General of the UN.
I think we should applaud Annan for his untiring efforts to bring
about global peace, despite the contraints he is facing.
Haruna Farage
______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Re: ANNAN/Genuine Democracy Needed,
Author: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list
<[log in to unmask]> at Internet
Date: 9/8/00 2:19 AM
My good Sister Jabou and brother Yus,
I totally agree with you all. Yet you have to also realize that the
Secretary General serves at the pleasure of the permanent members of
Security Council of which the US is preponderant. This situation is by
design only, considering the evolution of the UN since the League of Nations
after the WWI. US foreign policy has ever been weary of any form of
"entangling treaties and alliances" in any form, in fact this US "paranoia"
prevented the US from being a member of the League which ironically was the
very brainchild of the US president then Woodrow Wilson. So you see the US
has ever been uncomfortable with UN.
Yes Japan is an economic power, but not a permanent member of the the
Security Council, and has very little political clout. The Security Council
sets the global agenda through the instruments of their individual veto
powers and collective resolutions. The secretary general is just an
administrative caretaker after all. No matter how well he means or grand
his intentions, he has to be ultimately very pragmatic and prudent in the
choices he makes!
Yus, your question is a genuine one- why shouldn't Mr. Annan use his
position to promote African issues- Honestly I see why not...! as long as he
is prudent about it. Recently he has been scaring the hell out of Jesse
Helms and a lot of other Western powers but I believe his success in
whatever his intentions are shall depend alot on the political goodwill of
the US.
Greetings
Ebou
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