Time for the West to leave the UN

By Michael Taube
July 9, 2011 
Ottawa Citizen
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Time+West+leave/5075900/story.html http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Time+West+leave/5075900/story.html
 
The United Nations was once regarded as a noble institution and wise counsel on diplomatic matters. Today, it's in tatters and on life support. The UN has lost virtually all of its credibility due to a never-ending series of incompetent and downright disgraceful decisions. And it only has itself to blame for transforming into a cesspool of the world's most dangerous despots and dictatorships.
In a recent example, the UN defended its support for a recent antiterrorism conference held in - wait for it - Iran. The wicked policies of various western countries, and fierce accusations by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad that the U.S. manufactured both the Holocaust and 9-11 attacks, were reportedly discussed in Tehran.
How did the UN justify this screwy decision? With a screwy reply, of course.
Farhan Haq, a spokesman for secretary general Ban Ki-moon, told the National Post If we're reaching out and trying to make sure that people fight terrorism, we need to go as far as possible to make sure that everyone does it. We don't have to agree with all the statements.
Yeah, sure. Here's a news flash: Iran has a long history of supporting terrorism, and a nonexistent history of fighting it. Yet in the UN's eyes, this somehow makes Iran the perfect vehicle to supposedly discuss something it knows absolutely nothing about - tolerance and civility.
All was not lost, however. We can take comfort in knowing that Ahmadinejad had a few pleasant moments engaging in one of his favourite pastimes, Jew-baiting. And the rumour that he spearheaded a rousing version of My Yiddishe Momme in a fluffy pink tutu at the conference should remain just that, a rumour.
All kidding aside, the Tehran Conference is but one item in an enormous laundry list of the UN's offensive behaviour. Here are a few noteworthy examples: Moammar Gadhafi's Libya chaired the UN Human Rights Commission in 2003, and was a UN Security Council member between 2008-2009; the militaristic Syria twice chaired the UN Security Council, in June 2002 and August 2003; Iran and Iraq were scheduled to co-chair a UN nuclear disarmament conference before Saddam Hussein was toppled from power; the UN has repeatedly condemned Israel's policies; the UN ignored the slaughter of Rwandans and Bosnian Muslims in two separate civil wars; and the UN steadfastly refuses to expel members that openly support and finance terrorist groups.
To top it all off, North Korea just became the new chair of the UN Conference on Disarmament. It's a mind-blowing decision, to say the least. This is the same brutal communist regime that's part of the axis of evil, has an active army of over one million strong, and has long been regarded as a major nuclear threat.
To quote an editorial in The Australian, Is the UN stark raving mad? You be the judge.
Do we really need any more concrete evidence to recognize that supporting the broken-down, dysfunctional and conspiracy-oriented UN is a pointless endeavour? It's time to face facts: this organization has been in a state of collapse for decades, and is well past the point of reforming itself in any meaningful fashion. Hence, all western democracies should do the right thing and opt out of the UN - and start a new organization that truly respects the rights and values most of us hold and treasure.
Over the years, various newspaper editorial boards and columnists, including myself, have suggested the formation of a League of Democracies. This group would promote important concepts such as liberty, democracy, freedom and basic human rights. International security and public safety would be strongly emphasized. The need for free markets and trade liberalization would be discussed. Most importantly, it would vigorously oppose terrorism - and refuse or revoke membership to countries supporting terrorist activity.
I would strongly encourage Prime Minister Stephen Harper to take a lead role in helping start up a League of Democracies. His commitment to fiscal conservatism may be incredibly shaky, but his commitment to make Canada a leader on the international stage has been incredibly successful. The PM should therefore take the next step in this important evolution, and encourage western democracies to stop wasting time, energy and resources on the deplorable UN.
Alas, I acknowledge that even this could be a slow and painful process. Last September, the PM wisely told the UN General Assembly, we should never forget that appeasement and expediency also allowed fascism to gather such strength, that it required the whole and undivided effort of the world's free peoples to subdue it. But in the very next paragraph, he said, The UN's mission has grown over time, but its core job remains the same - through peace and development, to build a better world. That's not even close to the truth, Stephen - and you know it.
Michael Taube, a political analyst and commentator, and former speech writer for Prime Minister Stephen Harper, appears every other Saturday.