L’ECHEC
WHAT WILL BE HAITI ’S FUTURE?

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, June 5, 2004 (CNS NEWS)  

Popular broadcaster Serge Beaulieu, affectionately known as Bouboule, was the keynote speaker to a crowd of Floridian Haitians Saturday night at the Broward County Main Library in Fort Lauderdale. He asked the audience to explore with him l’échec— Haiti’s 200 years of failure.  

The three-hour conference also featured the poet Heraste Obas, who passionately expressed the hope that Haiti will not perish.  

Senagalese Professor Babacar M’Bow, who had just returned from a conference in Trinidad and Tobago , spoke de la memoire à l’histoire, stressing the importance of respecting one’s heritage.  

Wearing his signature bow tie and speaking in his mellifluous, deep, and penetrating voice, Bouboule asked: “Will Haiti survive? He said the land would always be there but wondered about the society as it exists today.  

After the slave revolt that won Haiti’s independence in 1804 from Napoleon’s France , Haitian society saw the disappearance of the white conquistadors, while the mulattoes and the blacks managed to survive, even while distrusting each other.  

Most of the mulattoes maintained their wealth, educated their children in France, Switzerland, and Germany, and kept a European flavor on the island.  They built gourmet restaurants that served the finest French wines, established their own social clubs, and managed to be in charge of the government.  

In the late 1940s, Bouboule said, a social revolution began, which enabled the blacks, who had been living in abject poverty, to have aspirations of power. This movement was short-lived, but in 1957, Francois “Papa Doc” Duvalier appeared on Haiti ’s political scene with the goal of giving power to the masses. The Duvalier regime, father and son, lasted longer than previous ones but was mired in controversy. It was viewed askance by the international community, which was anxious to end the era of the caudillos, civil and military in Latin America . The Dominican Republic’s Trujillo , Nicaragua ’s Somoza, and Haiti ’s Duvalier were targeted, and the communists had dreams of controlling the world.  

After the fall of the Duvaliers in Haiti , the brief period of relative calm that emerged was suddenly reversed by another type of government: the ochlocracy. The populista, the masses, overwhelmingly embraced the message of a young, activist priest, Jean Bertrand Aristide, whom they nicknamed “Titid” and viewed as a savior.  

But, in less than one year, the military reacted and Titid was overthrown. He went into exile, first in Venezuela, then to Paris, and finally found a niche in Washington , where he was able to meet with the most powerful of America ’s political elite, including the Clintons and the Kennedys. After two years, Titid, with the help of 20,000 U.S. Marines, was able to return to Haiti , where he resumed the presidency. But his tenure did not fulfill the people’s expectations, and he was at odds with the mulatto class. The fight ended the same way—but this time with the American power overthrowing him. The vacuum was quickly filled with American-backed individuals, who today don’t seem to know what Haiti’s future will be.  

Within that thumbnail historical context, Bouboule questioned the future of Haiti and the coexistence of the two societies: mulatto and black. Titid left Haiti with the masses poorer, disillusioned, and more desperate than they had ever been. Unfortunately, for the first time in the country’s history, the masses had destroyed century-old institutions, such as the historical cathedral of Port-au-Prince where Haiti ’s great hero Toussaint L’Ouverture spoke. On February 29 this year, when Aristide’s overthrow was known, the masses burned to the ground banks and homes and ransacked established businesses. Without a quick intervention once again by the U.S. Marines, that trend would have continued until today.  

Now, while 8,000 United Nations troops are in the process of arriving in Haiti , some of the country’s provinces are not under the U.S.-backed government control. Bouboule questioned the extent of the hate of the masses for the other part of the society. Time constraints prevented a deep analysis, but it seems that both historically and now the political leaders have been interested in taking the power—not in improving the country or the well-being of its people. The warning bell in Bouboule’s urgent message was that, unless something changes, in the future, the two societies may not be able to coexist.  

The audience seemed to agree with his points il faut comprendre avant d’apprendre (It is necessary to understand before one can learn) and that there is a difference between le dire and le faire (saying and doing).  

Bouboule said that the future of Haiti is in the hands of the youth and that they have to be taught how to steer the ship.  

The seminar, sponsored by “Nations and Cultures,” was a celebration of its first anniversary on radio in southern Florida . The organizing committee included Jean-Rony Monestime, Fritz Obas, Felix Norvilien, Francelet Fileus, Samson Myrtil, and Henri-C.K.P. It was a night to remember.

Gerard Latortue, interim Prime Minister of Haiti

LATORTUE AT THE U.N.—“ARISTIDE IS BEHIND US”

By Serge Beaulieu
U.N. Bureau Chief  

United Nations, New York, May 10, 2004 (CNS NEWS)

On Monday morning, after a 30-minute meeting reviewing the forthcoming U.N. Mission to Haiti with U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Gerard Latortue, Haiti’s Interim Prime Minister, approached the Security Council stakeout to meet the press. One of the first questions, of course, was about former president Jean Bertrand Aristide. Latortue said, “Aristide is behind us.” The big problem, he said, is how to make Haiti go forward. In that respect, he said, he was counting on the international community to provide the kind of assistance that his country will need. He did not want to discuss figures, since his committee working on development matters had not yet provided its report.  

Looking jovial and smiling, Latortue indicated he hoped that pretty soon they will be able to provide security throughout the country’s 18,000 square kilometers in order to organize elections. He indicated, however, that Aristide, before leaving, had distributed 50,000 guns to his supporters throughout the country.   

As far as the 14-country members of Caricom that refused to recognize Latortue’s government, he said that this question is also behind him, as he had explained in a speech before the Organization of American States in Washington last week. However, he said that he had asked the U.N. Secretary-General to use his good offices to settle the dispute.  

Speaking in both French and English, Haiti’s Prime Minister made sure that all questions were answered, including the participation of the former government in drug-related activities. He indicated that this interim government will make sure that the police, instead of being participants in the drug business, will cooperate fully with the Drug Enforcement Agency.  

The question of the hunt for Aristide’s hidden treasury did not come up, but Latortue mentioned that he is going to Paris on Tuesday to meet President Chirac and then on to Brussels.  

Latortue said that the question of the revival of Haiti’s Armed Forces is of low priority as far as he is concerned, stating that “this is an interim government. Although we have created a commission to study to matter, this will be left to the elected government.”  

Roland Dumas, Special Advisor of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, said afterward that he hoped the best for the government of Latortue and that he hoped the Caricom countries would take the necessary steps to recognize this government. Dumas, who is from Trinidad , referred to a statement by that country’s foreign minister indicating that questions concerning Caricom were not in Dumas’s purview. Dumas said that he still feels that his job as Special Advisor to the Secretary-General is to talk about these matters.

AFTER US, IT WILL BE US
APRE NOU, CE NOU

By Serge Beaulieu
U.N. Bureau Chief  

United Nations, New York, May 1, 2004, (CNS NEWS)

If U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan had his own way, he would ask for a 10-year mission to Haiti. His special advisor, Trinidadian Roland Dumas, went even further and asked for 20 years.  The Security Council, however, decided Friday on a 6-month period, with advance assurance that the mission would be renewed.  

A decade ago, the Security Council gave the Clinton Administration carte blanche for an invasion of Haiti with 20,000 U.S. Marines to return Jean Bertrand Aristide to power and install democracy in the world’s first black republic. On January 29 of this year, the same Marines were called upon to remove Jean Bertrand Aristide and send him back into exile at a place which, still today, is undetermined.  

Nobody blamed either the United States’ administration or the United Nations. Everyone blamed Haiti. Some U.S. officials are convinced that the Haitians cannot run their own country—something they’ve been saying for two centuries.  Kofi Annan seems to echo that sentiment. Today, French troops patrol the soil of Haiti precisely in the town where 200 years ago they were defeated and Haiti gained her independence from Napoleon.

So, what has happened to Haiti’s glory and the Haitians? During the country’s 200 years of history, the Haitian elite were considered brilliant, crisscrossing the entire world with their finesse and sophistication. They attended the finest European schools and graduated with excellent marks. Some of them worked abroad in financial institutions, and, at the United Nations, they cooperated in the building of emerging Africa. Former U.N. Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjold even appointed a Haitian, Max Dorsainville, as his personal representative to the Congo in the tumultuous 1960s. Not long ago, another former U.N. secretary-general, Boutros Boutros Ghali, chose a Haitian as his chief of staff.  

When it comes to managing the affairs of their own country, however, the results are always negative. A Haitian proverb: apre nou, ce nou (meaning: “after us, it will be us”) has always been put into application—with the same result. The Haitian masses have remained in the same misery they experienced under French slavery.  

In 1957, Francois “Papa Doc” Duvalier introduced a new system of government, where the middle class replaced the power traditionally occupied by the country’s mulatto elite. Although a change was made in the structure of command of the country’s affairs, the actual situation did not change that much, except, for a blink in time, the elite had to stand by and watch the middle class in overall charge.  

The departure of the Duvaliers created a vacuum that a popular priest from the slums, Father Aristide, quickly and easily filled. For a while, there was hope that there would be a change in the societal structure of Haiti. But the fighting between the elite and the masses had become so entrenched, observers realized that the more things changed, the more they remained the same. Finally, the Americans decided overnight to get rid of Aristide, without preparing a transition. Today’s Haiti appears to be at the beginning of a huge turmoil, which is going to divide the country even further.  

Haiti’s current government is creating the problem itself. The Constitution states that, in order to avoid chaos, elections must be held no later than 90 days from the takeover of a new government in situations such as the current one. But this government (nobody knows where it came from) has decided that it needs two years before holding an election. Only another month remains to fulfill the spirit of the Constitution. In the meantime, massive dismissal of Aristide’s people in governmental positions has already begun. Some of them have gone into hiding, in fear for their lives.  

The Security Council seemingly could care less about a true reconciliation in Haiti. It approved Kofi Annan’s April 16, 2004 report, which went so far as to say that Haiti’s new president was “sworn in as interim President, in accordance with the constitutional rules of succession” – an assumption which is not correct.  However, the Security Council apparently considers its mission accomplished, just like the first time when it sent the 20,000 U.S. Marines to return Aristide to power. In fact, Lakhdar Brahimi, who is making headlines today, was rewarded with positions as U.N. Special Representative to Afghanistan and then to Iraq for having done a superb job Haiti.  

Haitians, however, are not strangers to the destruction of their own country. A so-called elite in Haiti still considers themselves the beneficiaries of the slavery system, looking at the masses as an instrument to exploit. They live well, their children are well educated abroad, and they represent all the foreign companies doing business in Haiti. Haiti for them is paradise.  

On the other hand, you have the masses, who are tired of being exploited, dying of hunger, poverty, and disease. On a grand scale, nobody seems to care. On a smaller scale, however, Protestant churches have been erected all over the country, sometimes with medical dispensaries attached. Their mother churches in the United States support them. Some of the missionaries are former prisoners who found God and were sent to the island for rehabilitation. Overall, they comport themselves well, with very few scandals. Even the Mormon Church has tried over the years to save the souls of the Haitians, but their attempt at conversion has not had a high success rate. Only the heir to part of the famous Mellon fortune, the late Larry Mellon and his wife, Gwen, created a big project simply to help the masses. Unfortunately, their Albert Schweitzer Hospital built in Deschapelles, in Haiti’s Artibonite Valley, has deteriorated since their deaths.  

Haitians are still suspicious of foreigners, because of deep memories of slavery, but today they are too weak to fight. After the departure of their leader, Jean Bertrand Aristide, they no longer believe in anyone but await the arrival of the Messiah.  

Ten years, twenty years of a United Nations peacekeeping force will do what? Nothing. It is not the Brazilian troops who are going to “civilize” the Haitians. They know it, and the Haitians know it. Apre nou, ce nou (after us, it will be us). Citing this Haitian proverb, the people know that life will continue with hopelessness and misery. But, as it always has, Haiti will survive and the blancs will leave.

Boniface Alexandre, acting President of Haiti

U.N. REPORT FANTASIZES CONSTITUTIONAL LEGITIMACY OF HAITI ”S NEW INTERIM PRESIDENT

By Serge Beaulieu
U.N. Bureau Chief  

United Nations, New York, April 23, 2004 (CNS NEWS)  
Controversy continues over the departure on February 29 of Jean Bertrand Aristide from power in the impoverished island country of Haiti amid allegations of kidnapping in the middle of the night by the U.S. ambassador in Port-au-Prince , accompanied by U.S. Marines.  

In a phone interview with CNN from his then place of exile in the Central African Republic , a defiant Aristide said point blank that he was forced at gun point to board a chartered U.S. government plane, not knowing where he was headed, after being told by a U.S. official that he was going to meet the press. That statement created turmoil, provoking a delegation of the U.S. Congressional Black Caucus to travel to Bangui , capital of the Central African Republic , to take Aristide to Jamaica , where he was given temporary asylum.  

The U.S. administration responded that Aristide did resign and left the country voluntarily. Aristide’s own prime minister, Yvon Neptune, said that he had a letter of resignation from his president.  And, at the United Nations, Aristide’s ambassador, Jean Alexandre, introduced a letter before the Security Council from the president of Haiti ’s Supreme Court, Boniface Alexander, acting as interim president, requesting immediate assistance from the U.N., which was granted.  Yet, a few days earlier the Council ignored a similar request by Aristide.   

Dealing with a presidential vacancy, Article 149 of the Haitian Constitution authorizes the president of the Supreme Court to become president after taking oath of office before a joint session of Parliament (the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate). His only mandate is to organize general elections in no more than 90 days. 

Although the terms of the members of the Chamber of Deputies had expired, the Senate, nevertheless, continued to function permanently, according to Article 95-1 of the Constitution. Boniface Alexandre could have requested advice from the president of the Senate, who is also president of the Assemblee National  (Parliament) on how to solve the matter. According to the President of the Senate, Senator Yvon Feuille, “Nobody asked me, although I was present as a guest at the investiture ceremony at the National Palace .”  

How did Boniface Alexandre become president? The United States and the international community decided to improvise an unprecedented scenario, outside of the Constitution of Haiti, by designating a tripartite council consisting of one representative each from Famni Lavalas Party and the Plate-forme Democratique, and a United Nations Development Program staff member representing the international community. This group selected seven so-called eminent persons, known as the Conseil des sages, unknown in Haitian tradition. On March 9 this Conseil des sages selected Gerard Latortue, a former employee of UNIDO, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, as prime minister.  

In the meantime, Boniface Alexandre took the oath of office at the National Palace in front of those high dignitaries.  

On April 16, 2004 , the U.N. Secretary-General introduced a 34-page report before the Security Council on the political situation in Haiti . Depicting the events of February 29, the report said: “Early on 29 February, Mr. Aristide left the country. His letter of resignation was read out by the Prime Minister, Yvon Neptune. Within hours, Boniface Alexandre, the President of the Supreme Court, was sworn in as interim President, in accordance with the constitutional rules of succession.”  

When the Spokesman’s office was called to explain the phrase “in accordance with the constitutional rules of succession,” they contacted the Peace Keeping Operation  (PKO) who said that they meant it was in accordance with Article 149.  Haitian constitutional scholars disagree, maintaining that Boniface Alexandre’s presidency is not in conformity with Haiti ’s constitutional rule of succession, also citing Article 149. Furthermore, they say, on February 29, he did not have—and still does not have—the legal authority to request from the U.N. Security Council the expedition of troops to that island.  

Meanwhile, a humanitarian flash appeal for US $35 million by the United Nations and its partners has raised only US $7 million. 

CARICOM’S DIPLOMATIC BUNGLE

By Serge Beaulieu
UN Bureau Chief  

United Nations, April 13, 2004 (CNS NEWS)  

The fourteen countries of Caricom did not even exist when the Monroe Doctrine was enacted in 1823 to protect the interests of the United States against the intrusion of European powers in the affairs of America .  Haiti was already an independent country but continued to suffer the humiliation of the European powers with a powerful United States averting its eyes.   

France, England, Italy – even Germany – continued to ransom Haitian ports in dispute with a weak Haitian nation. It took the United States more than 30 years before recognizing Haiti as an independent country.  Nevertheless, Haiti has survived, and, hopefully, will continue to survive.  

With the United Nations decolonization movement in the 1960s came the independence of the British Caribbean islands. They were quick to unify under a treaty to form a trade association in 1973 that they called Caricom. This trade association evolved to become a political body that requested to participate in the Organization of American States (OAS), the regional organization, and as a block at the United Nations as well.  

For several years they ignored Haiti, one of the largest countries in the Caribbean, until the creation of the ACP (the Africa, Caribbean, Pacific Group of States).  Spain, one of the major European donor countries, indicated it was interested in helping to finance Caribbean development as a whole, not just the former British Caribbean islands. Haiti was accepted as a full member, while the Dominican Republic was invited to participate in some capacity.  

The arrival of Jean Bertrand Aristide as Haiti’s head of state was a way for Caricom to expand its membership and speak as an inclusive Caribbean organization. It is in that light that when President Aristide was overthrown, or, as Aristide alleges, kidnapped, Caricom found itself in a delicate situation to intervene for one of its leaders. The situation could have remained there if Jamaica’s Prime Minister Patterson had not decided to offer hospitality to the deposed Haitian president from his place of temporary exile in the Central African Republic.  Patterson’s invitation, and Aristide’s acceptance, provoked a hasty reaction from Haiti’s US-designated prime minister, Gerard Latortue, who recalled the country’s ambassador from Jamaica and cut relations with Caricom.  

Patterson, taken by surprise by this reaction, decided to submit the question at the forthcoming Caricom Heads of State meeting in St. Kitts in March. The Caricom Heads of State, in turn, decided to withhold recognition of the US-backed Latortue government and requested a meeting of the United Nations General Assembly to discuss Aristide’s allegation that he was kidnapped at gunpoint by the US ambassador and a group of Marines and put in a US plane bound to nowhere, until he recognized that he was in the Central African Republic.  

The investigation requested by the Caricom Heads of State was approved by the 52 countries of the African Union. So far, nyet.  An adviser named by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Reginald Dumas of Trinidad, expressed surprise at Caricom’s delay in lodging its request for the probe, sparking a tiff with the Trinidad and Tobago foreign Minister, Kwolson Gift. Gift said he was doubtful of Dumas’ justification for his observation, since the investigation called for by Caricom was not within his purview.  

Meanwhile, last Monday, US Secretary of State Colin Powell landed in Haiti’s capital city Port-au-Prince to offer support and legitimacy to Latortue’s government.  

At the United Nations, Deputy Secretary-General Louise Frechette, in opening remarks to a meeting in New York between representatives of Caricom and the UN system, said that the UN is seeking to draw in all relevant actors and pursue a common strategic aim in Haiti.  

“We will explore with Caricom, as well as with the OAS, what each of us is best positioned to contribute, in cooperation with our Haitian partners,” she said. “And since Caricom, the OAS, and the UN system will remain in Haiti long after the peacekeeping phase ends, we need to ensure that an integrated and common approach is followed.”  

Looking at the broader issues facing the Caribbean region, the Deputy Secretary-General noted that one of the main areas of collaboration between the UN and Caricom is trade, particularly the joint effort to press for greater liberalization and an international trading system that brings development gains for the bloc’s countries.  

Frechette’s presentation did not include mention of Caricom’s request for a General Assembly probe into Aristide’s allegations, and US Secretary of State Colin Powell has said that such a probe would serve no useful purpose. Has the matter simply died? Although the president of the General Assembly is the representative of St. Lucia, a Caribbean country, backed by 52 African members of the AU, it appears that without the okay of the United States no group can convene the General Assembly.

HAITI —GOVERNMENT, BUT NO GOVERNING LAW YET

By Serge Beaulieu
UN Bureau Chief  

United Nations, New York , March 19, 2004 (CNS NEWS)  

In their rush to overthrow the constitutionally elected government of Jean-Bertrand Aristide, the French and the Americans forgot that there must be a governing law in place in order for the country to function. In less than a week they created a bizarre form of government, which has nothing to do with the tradition of the country.  

A council of “wise men” substituted itself for the national sovereignty and chose a man to form a government, under which law no one knows. This act alone abolished the Constitution of 1987, which had, until then, been the fundamental law of the country. Nobody dares to say it.  

Ministers have been designated and sworn in before their ministries were even created. There are no internal rules governing those ministries while the prime minister is making statements and decisions affecting the country. For example, he announced the breaking of relations with Jamaica and suspension of Haiti ’s participation in Caricom affairs. Normally, the Constitution of 1987 reserved this prerogative for the president of the republic. But who knows? The new prime minister may now be in charge of the country’s external affairs.  

In the meantime, Herard Abraham, a former general of what was called the defunct Haitian army, has been designated as minister of the interior and has announced publicly that he is going to institute a commission to reinstate the army, since that institution is still an integral part of the Haitian Constitution. But which Constitution is he referring to, since the government is not a product of any governing law?  

In the past, when a de facto regime took over the power, the Constitution was abolished immediately until further consideration. But this regime is simultaneously playing both a de facto and a constitutional role. At the United Nations, the spokesman for Kofi Annan is a little more cautious, repeating that there is no parliament in Haiti to ratify those officials. In the meantime, a defiant Aristide, who is visiting Jamaica,  calls himself the constitutional president of Haiti, creating a dilemma for the international community.  

Where do we go from here? Massive humanitarian assistance appears to be the key for bringing the world, including a nervous Caribbean and Latin American community, to accept the fact that superpowers can jump in the middle of the night with their troops, overthrow a constitutional government that they did not like, and create a de facto regime, placing their man in power--without impunity--as the caudillos used to do.  

Fourteen heads of state of the Caribbean Community, known as Caricom, recognizing their weakness nevertheless called for an investigation of the incident by the UN Secretary General. Hiding behind the Security Council, which had manipulated the whole incident, the Secretary-General ignored their request. Once again, Haiti has made history by offering the stage for reversing the general rule of one-man one vote, the fundamental basis of democracy.

HAITI AND THE UN

By Serge Beaulieu
UN Bureau Chief  

United Nations, January 27, 2004 (CNS NEWS)  

After more than a year of meeting after meeting about the situation in Haiti with top representatives of the Organization of American States in Washington, the question has been bounced over to the Caricom countries.  Last week, after a high level meeting in the Bahamas,  presided over by Jamaica’s Prime Minister Patterson, the question of sending troops to restore order in this turbulent island country was again introduced.  

For the last two months, demonstrators have occupied the streets of Haiti’s capital city Port-au-Prince as well as Gonaives, Cap Haitien , and other towns, calling for the departure of President Jean Bertrand Aristide.  Some students and other demonstrators have been killed.  President Aristide’s partisans organized a counter demonstration saying that their president will not budge, creating a conflict which nears the point of anarchy.  

Early Tuesday it was announced that the Secretary-General of the United Nations, who has been playing a passive role on the Haitian question, met in Paris with President Jacques Chirac and his his Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin trying to find a way out.  Although the spokesperson for the Secretary-General did not reveal the content of the discussion, there is no doubt that a solution has to be found for the case of Haiti , which has been dominating the news.  

Secretary General Kofi Annan and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Permanent Representative of Haiti H.E. Mr. Jean C. Alexandre  

Haiti Earns Respect Among Delegates at United Nations

By Macollvie Jean-Francois

Haitian Times Staff
October 22-28, 2003

UNITED NATIONS - After the Security Council passed a resolution in support of the United States rebuilding of Iraq, reporters tripped over each other in their haste to spread the news worldwide. Not drawing comparable attention were members of Haiti's Permanent Mission to the United Nations as they wove through the crowded hallways to attend meetings.

Haiti was elected vice president of the social, humanitarian and cultural committee for the 58^th session of the United Nations.

The Haitian representatives say that despite the country's image as a poverty-stricken, politically unstable country, it still has a presence in the 58-year -old organization.

Haiti's worldwide reputation as the first black republic in the Western Hemisphere and its upcoming bicentennial have played positive roles, they say.

"In a way, we're very fortunate," said Ambassador Jean Alexandre, a retired Chicago obstetrician and gynecologist. "Because of the lobbying that we've done and because of the sympathy they have for Haiti, we have a presence. [Other diplomats] see Haiti as a victory being ostracized. They share our pain."

The United Nations declared 2004 as the International Year for the Commemoration of the Fight Against Slavery and its Abolition, in December 2002 At Haiti's request.

As 2004 approaches, the ambassador said the mission's staff would promote Haiti's food, music and culture. A proposal is being prepared for the United Nations to issue a stamp that commemorated Haiti, he said.

Alexandre said the goal of the mission is "To make Haiti a worldwide entity known and respected in the context of our bicentennial."

Haiti has helped and supported other countries, said Jeanette Ndhlovu, deputy permanent representative to South Africa's Ambassador to the United Nations.

"They have played a role in promoting the interests of the developing world, especially within the Group of 77 countries," Ndhlovu said. "They've supported social and economic development."

Critics of the United Nations have called it a passive body with little political power and that it is influenced too heavily by superpowers such as the United States. But Alexandre said the United Nations continues to play a relevant role in the world. In Haiti, for example, the United Nations has given financial and human assistance to help women, HIV/AIDS victims, and others.

The United Nations donated $59 million to Haiti through 11 programs, including the World Bank, UNDP, and UNICEF, according to the latest 1998 figures.

As the United Nations has done with Haiti, Alexandre encouraged the General Assembly to adopt a resolution aimed at helping Africa: the New Partnership for Africa's Development.

"This part of the world has endured history's heavy blows," Alexandre said. "We must pool our efforts to pull men, women and children from the abject poverty that dehumanizes them."

As he and three mission staff members headed from the General Assembly room after delivering Haiti's comments on a resolution, various colleagues congratulated them.

Julian Hunte briefing journalists

GA PRESIDENT JULIAN HUNTE 
TALKED ABOUT INNOVATIONS 
AT A UN PRESS BRIEFING
By Serge Beaulieu
UN Bureau Chief

United Nations, New York, October 7, 2003 (CNS NEWS)

How does a man from one of the world’s tiniest states, Saint Lucia, population 158,000, area 238 square miles, react after presiding for two weeks over a world body comprised of 191 member states represented by kings, presidents, heads of state and government, some of them with huge populations, such as China and India, each with more than 1 billion inhabitants?

Looking at Julian R. Hunte, President of the 58^th General Assembly, at a press briefing Tuesday morning at the United Nations, one might wonder: How did he get there? The answer lies in the principle of universality that the founding members of the UN invested in the Charter, with the notion one nation, one vote, although today this principle seems to be on the verge of giving way to superpowers, which are represented by the five permanent members of the Security Council.

Listening to Mr. Hunte talk about his plan for the General Assembly, one discovers business expertise in this man of action. Among other things, Mr. Hunte serves as his country’s Minister for External Affairs, International Trade and Civil Aviation. Covering revitalization of the General Assembly to reform of the Security Council, the President insisted that he has his own inner circle group working on a presentation of some fresh ideas. An inner circle working with the president of the Assembly is a brand new development at the UN. He also said that he has encouraged each chairman of the General Assembly committees to meet with the press and explain their work, something else that has never been done in the history of the United Nations.

When asked about the ambiguity of Article 11 of the Charter over matters of peace and security concerning the role of the General Assembly over which he is presiding and that of the Security Council, he said:

"Peace and security is not the only responsibility that the General Assembly has, it is just one." What the General Assembly has done is say that "peace and security will be the preserve of the Security Council, and they will hand these matters specifically to them. Yes, you may discuss peace and security matters in the General Assembly, but you cannot make recommendations while these matters are being discussed by the Security Council.

"The General Assembly has the authority to discuss any matter; that is its role and function. But on issues regarding peace and security, what is happening in Kosovo, what is happening in Afghanistan, [the Security Council has] a special charge under the Charter to deal specifically with those issues.

"We had a situation just the other day where the United States vetoed the resolution as it related to Mr. Arafat, and it was brought to the General Assembly. Of course, the General Assembly cannot force anybody to do anything, but morally they made their views known loud and clear that they thought it was not something the international community should condone. So the General Assembly does have the authority to discuss matters that relate to peace and security, and it does."

The President also answered questions concerning some of the world’s smaller countries, such as his own Saint Lucia. Mr. Hunte said that the ten-year review for the Barbados Plan of Action, scheduled for August 2004 in Mauritius, would be extremely important to address the vulnerabilities of small islands. He said that if nothing were done about global warming and rising sea levels, some islands in the Pacific Ocean would just disappear. Asked about a free trade zone in the Caribbean, he said that such a zone would not change the political status of the islands.

Asked about his discussion with Haiti’s President Aristide when he was at the UN last week, Mr. Hunte said: "As you know, I’ve been actively involved in Haiti, representing Prime Minister Kenneth Anthony, who is in charge of justice and governance. I do get the impression that the situation there is easing a bit. As you know, they have now introduced a special envoy, and he has been doing work with the opposition groups and with the government, with the expressed intention of ensuring that an electoral council is formed. As of when the electoral council is formed, this will then facilitate an election being held that would be deemed to be more credible than if it were done otherwise. The problem that constitutes Haiti now is that elections are constitutionally due in January of 2004. So something has got to give, something has to be done. Beyond that I can’t comment except to say that Haiti is very close to my heart; I can only hope that the situation there will be resolved in a way that will give the people – what concerns me a lot is the human suffering of the people of Haiti. Sometimes I believe, and I’m not attributing this to any government or political party or what have you, but very often in the whole equation I sometimes get the impression that the people are the ones who are forgotten. I hope, and will continue to work -- in my discussions with the President, I did offer my continued support, and I have been following up, despite the fact that time is so limited in terms of being able to do things other than what I’m doing here at the GA. So, that is where it’s at."

P-5…Quartet…vs. General Assembly
By Serge Beaulieu, UN Bureau Chief
Sondra Singer Beaulieu, Correspondent

United Nations, New York, September 28, 2003 (CNS NEWS)

The invasion of Iraq, conducted without the consent of the United Nations, gave the General Assembly of the UN a break to reorganize itself and fulfill the ambiguous duties assigned to it by the Charter—working in tandem with the Security Council to oversee questions of world peace and security.

The failure of the Security Council to find a solution to the Iraqi question, and the subsequent do-it-alone punitive measures instituted by the US and the UK created a virtual revolt in the world body. The P-5 (the five permanent members of the Security Council: United States, United Kingdom, Russia, China, and France) have been meeting ever since—from New York to Geneva—without any result, except to go from P-5 to P-3 (US, UK, and France) during the first Gulf War and further dwindling to P-2, leaving the US and the UK as the coalition power in present Iraq.

Some have voiced suspicions that if the Blair government falls, the P-2 will downsize to P-1, something that the Bush Administration is trying to avoid at any cost.

Another configuration that has emerged at the UN is the Quartet group designed to accelerate President Bush's Road Map plan to salvage the Mideast situation. Although UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan seems to be confident, observers note that the virtual isolation of Yasser Arafat will lead the plan to failure, as happened to the Oslo Accord.  Here again, the question should have been returned to the General Assembly, which happens to be in session now.

The 58th General Assembly debate began with the HIV/AIDS agenda discussion, which virtually put the Iraq and Middle East questions on back burners. Hundreds of heads of state and government have paraded past the General Assembly podium to participate and request their share of a $10 billion global fund aid project, of which $4 billion has already been collected and partially distributed. Although the African countries are slated as the biggest recipients, a little country like Haiti, for example, has received more than US$24 million toward services, vaccines, medicines, and clinic operations. The Secretary-General intervened to assure that humanitarian aid is not restricted by political considerations.

The agenda of the General Assembly for this year is full of items that had been tabled from earlier sessions. Interest in the General Assembly does not seem to be diminishing, although several countries (like Germany, Japan, India) are trying to reorganize and expand the 15-member Security Council to get permanent seats, even without veto power. However, there seems to be consensus that, whatever the result, as long as the United States continues to dominate this organ as the sole super power, nothing will change.

Some diplomats are saying that the only solution is to reaffirm the power and prestige of the General Assembly by having it share the power with the Security Council on questions of peace and security, as conceived by the Charter signatories—one country, one vote...are we dreaming?

* * * * *

Jean-Bertrand Aristide, the President of Haiti, speaks at the 58th Session of the General Assembly at the United Nations in New York on September 26, 2003.

JEAN BERTRAND ARISTIDE'S SPEECH AT THE UN

By Serge Beaulieu
UN Bureau Chief

United Nations, New York, September 26, 2003 (CNS NEWS)

Pressed by unresolved conflicts back home, a pensive Haitian president made the pilgrimage from his country to stand at the podium of the General Assembly to use his 15-minute-speech allotment before the world body. In a breach of protocol, he found himself sitting at the Haiti section of the General Assembly hall before being formally introduced by the president of the Assembly. UN Protocol corrected the gaffe in time, taking him to the section reserved for presidents of countries.

In his introduction, Aristide said that having celebrated in 1992 five hundred years of Indian, black, and popular resistance, the Republic of Haiti would celebrate on January 1 the bicentennial of its independence. It was a direct invitation from the world’s first black republic for everyone to attend the festival of liberty.

The Haitian president said there could have been no peace because of the genocide inflicted on the Amerindians and then on 15 million Africans taken as slaves from their native countries and brought to Haitian soil in 1502. Yet, for three centuries, the President said, his continent had provided 70 percent of the world’s gold reserves, which would equal 2,849,000 tons of gold evaluated at US$36 billion.

After stating that slavery is a crime against humanity, the Haitian President said that his generation has the duty to call for restitution and reparations.

Discussing durable development, the President said that between now and 2015 the objective is to reduce by half the percentage of the world’s people earning less than US$ 1.00 per day. Talking about abject misery, President "Titid" said that four-fifths of the world’s population consumes only one-fifth of the planet’s resources, pushing thirty million to die of famine every year.

For Haiti and elsewhere, he said, in order to reach the objectives of the new millennium, the exercise of power implies respect of fundamental liberties, tolerance, good governance; fight against corruption, drugs, impunity; investment in human beings; security for all; and free, honest, democratic elections.

Turning to the subject of HIV/AIDS, the Haitian leader said that 42 million people around the world are infected; 3.1 million have died, 13 million have been orphaned, and 6,000 youth are infected each day.

Quoting his wife, Haiti’s First Lady Mildred Trouillot Aristide,

the President said that external debt and economic sanctions are not the way to eradicate this evil.

Looking at terrorism and bio-terrorism, the President said that they are not hallucinations. To live free and in peace, he said, violence must be eradicated no matter where it comes from.

He hopes for peace in the Middle East, Afghanistan, Africa, Asia, Iraq—wherever war is inflicting suffering.

The Assembly applauded the President’s speech, after which a long line of diplomats and officials were waiting to greet him in the Indonesian Lounge behind the General Assembly hall.

PRESIDENT BUSH AT THE UN

By Serge Beaulieu
UN Bureau Chief  

United Nations, New York , September 23, 2003 (CNS NEWS)

In the 15 minutes allotted for speeches in front of the General Assembly, President Bush on Tuesday laid out his policy of no apologies for the invasion of Iraq and, instead, lectured the organization as the world’s  superpower leader on how important and impressive are the financial payments of the United States in keeping the organization solvent.  

From $1,673,725,000 pledged for the HIV global fund to $100 million in help for the de-proliferation of nuclear weapons, the US president assumed a position of command while addressing the Assembly.  No sign of timidity or hesitation of former years emerged.  

President Bush knows what he wants and tells it like it is.  It was a consecration of George W. Bush as a moral leader of his country, sending a wake-up call to the world organization to shape up.  

Most of the Assembly, comprised of presidents and heads of governments, listened silently—including an Iraqi delegation representing the Coalition Council.  

President Bush’s speech was followed by a pale presentation by Jacques Chirac, President of France, who appeared to ask more for accommodation than confrontation.   

There is no doubt that the world of diplomacy took a turn at the UN today.

SECRETARY-GENERAL’S PRESS BRIEFING—

A CALL FOR THE REVITALIZATION OF THE TRUSTEESHIP COUNCIL

By Serge Beaulieu
UN Bureau Chief  

United Nations, New York, September 8, 2003 (CNS NEWS)  

The Trusteeship Council, the organ of the United Nations that was responsible for decolonization in the 1960s and has remained dormant since, may be resuscitated.  At a press briefing Monday morning, the Secretary-General called for its revitalization in the framework of implementing the Millennium Declaration.  

At the signing of the Charter in June 1945 in San Francisco , the mandate of the Trusteeship Council was to assume responsibility for the administration of territories “whose peoples have not yet attained a full measure of self governing.”  This mandate was accomplished superbly, bringing the UN roster from 50 members to 191 today.  

Later on, however, this organ was considered dormant, although an inverse phenomenon has been observed with talk of fallen states in Africa and elsewhere.  Some people are even talking about recolonization by the United Nations.  Iraq and Afghanistan are countries that would possibly fall into that category.  

Although not clear about the meaning of his call for revitalization of this UN organ, people are anxious to know if, in the near future, the Trusteeship Council’s revitalization will not mean recolonization.  For example, what to do with Kosovo?  There are significant little islands, like Puerto Rico, Guam , and others, awaiting a final say about their status.   

Did the recent turmoil in Ivory Coast, the Congo, Liberia, Sierra Leone—even Angola, Rwanda, Burundi and other countries—make this the perfect time for letting the Trusteeship Council call for fallen states to be under supervision?  Nobody wants that to happen, but serious deterioration in that part of the world may create such a state of alarm that the function of the Trusteeship Council may have to be revisited.  

The restructuring of the UN may have to face this challenge.  

THE 58^TH REGULAR SESSION 
OF THE
 GENERAL ASSEMBLY

By Serge Beaulieu
UN Bureau Chief

United Nations, New York , August 29, 2003 (CNS NEWS)

When the General Assembly of the United Nations convenes for its annual session on September 23, the organization will be 58 years old. Time to retire…the UN has become irrelevant, say the organization’s critics referring, among other things, to the debacle of Iraq when a defiant Security Council had refused to authorize a coalition force headed by the Americans and the British to invade Iraq .  

Friends of the UN, intervening, were prompt to enumerate the organization’s accomplishments from decolonization to the prevention of a third world war, and the creation of numerous institutions which had enabled the world body to alleviate suffering.  

The General Assembly, which is comprised of the totality of the membership, has been credited with those accomplishments, although member countries have expressed openly their concern about the diminishing influence of this body over the fifteen-member Security Council, in which five permanent members have veto power. When the UN Charter was drawn in San Francisco , with one nation, one vote, did the founders anticipate the inclusion of the developing countries, which could give them monopoly over future decision-making?  

From the 1960s on, a gathering of the General Assembly became the nightmare of the world powers, which had to lobby developing countries in order to introduce or amend resolutions. The Non-Aligned countries, a group formed at the Belgrade Conference by Marshall Tito of Yugoslavia , exercised a virtual monopoly on issues, together with the countries of Africa and Asia , which became the powerful Afro-Asian group. Resolution after resolution was adopted by the General Assembly, sometimes without the power to implement them. Today, old issues still remain: Palestine , the Congo , Korea , Cyprus , and others.  

As the Cold War ended, the permanent members of the Security Council reclaimed leadership over world matters, and the United States as a sole superpower became predominant.  

From time to time, countries not members of the Security Council make reference to the ambiguities in Chapter IV, Article 11 of the Charter. While giving the General Assembly the power to intervene on matters regarding international peace and security, this chapter, at the same time, restrains the General Assembly from making decisions if the Security Council has been seized of the matter. In the Iraqi conflict, using earlier precedents, the Arab League and some other countries called for the convening of a special session of the General Assembly. Diplomatic maneuvering, however, prevented it from materializing.   

Will the question of Iraq become the focal point of the upcoming General Assembly? No one knows. Among the 173 items on the provisional agenda, none mentions Iraq except one item carried over from the past session, labeled “Consequences of the Iraqi Occupation of and Aggression Against Kuwait.” Could that trigger a debate on the current situation in Iraq ?

Sergio Vieira de Mello, the top U.N. envoy on Iraq  killed by a bomb blast on August 19, 2003.
Vieira de Mello is seen at U.N. headquarters in New York in this May 27 file photo. 

BOMBING OF UN HEADQUARTERS IN BAGHDAD

By Serge Beaulieu

UN Bureau Chief  

United Nations Headquarters, New York , August 19, 2003 (CNS NEWS)

 Fifteen dead, more than 100 injured are the statistics from the UN spokesman regarding the bombing of UN headquarters in Baghdad this morning. Among the dead is Sergio Vieira de Mello, 55 years old, a Brazilian national, United Nations Commissioner for Human Rights as well as Representative of the Secretary-General in Iraq .  

At UN headquarters in New York , Sergio de Mello was known and appreciated as a devoted and dedicated civil servant.   Mr. de Mello had served with the office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees since 1969 in various capacities.  He had extensive headquarters and field experience in humanitarian and peacekeeping operations, including those in Bangladesh , Sudan , Cyprus , Mozambique , Peru , and Lebanon .  He served as special envoy for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees for Cambodia .  He headed civil affairs of the UN Protection Force in the former Yugoslavia as well as having served as UN Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for the Great Lakes Region of Africa. His last position before becoming the High Commissioner for Human Rights was in East Timor .  

De Mello was appointed by the UN Secretary-General as Special Representative for Iraq for a period of four months as of May 2003.  

Although the bombing in Iraq happened Tuesday morning at 8:30 New York time, the news reached headquarters around noon when, as usual, staff members, journalists, and diplomats alike were standing around on the first floor watching televisions tuned to CNN.  Everyone seemed to have a word to say about the bombing, although de Mello’s fate had not yet been announced.  Many of the staff members watching the TV had served in Iraq and worried about colleagues they knew who were currently on duty there. From time to time you heard someone asking a question about so-and-so, hoping to hear that the person was all right.  

According to the UN spokesman, the security of UN personnel in Iraq was completely dependent on the coalition partners, meaning the United States and Great Britain .  

“We are completely in their hands,” said Fred Eckhard, the UN spokesman, while announcing that the Secretary-General, presently in Europe , would be taking the plane for headquarters Wednesday morning.  

When pressed to answer the question why the UN seemed to be a target while providing humanitarian assistance to Iraq, his answer was, “I do not see why.”  

The UN flags representing all the member countries were removed from the poles in front of the Secretariat building, and the UN flag was flown at half mast in mourning for all those who died or were injured.  When the Spokesman’s office was asked why, they said that the flags were removed at the request of Mr. Riza, Chief of Cabinet of Kofi Annan.  The flags are normally lowered at the death of heads of state, heads of government, and presidents who die in office. They said that there have been occasions when the flags were lowered for staff who were killed in great numbers, for example, the Swiss Air crash.

FORMER US AMBASSADOR WILLIAM SWING BACK IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO UNDER UN FLAG

By Serge Beaulieu
UN Bureau Chief  

New York , August 10, 2003 (CNS NEWS) 

In a letter to the president of the UN Security Council, Secretary-General Kofi Annan announced that his former representative to Cyprus , Alvaro de Soto , will be reassigned to Occidental Sahara, replacing William Lacy Swing who, himself,  was designated as the Secretary General’s representative in the Democratic Republic of the Congo .   

Although everyone knows that Alvaro de Soto ’s mission in Cyprus has been a failure, no one is sure of Swing’s impact in his last duty post in Occidental Sahara. Everyone at headquarters here is talking about the “Baker Plan,” referring to his predecessor, James Baker, who for a short time was Annan’s representative there.  

Will Swing have more luck with his new assignment in the turbulent DR Congo? He certainly has the background.  Former US ambassador to South Africa , Nigeria , Liberia , Congo Brazzaville, Swing was named on March 10, 1998 as US ambassador to the Democratic Republic of the Congo .  However, his confirmation hearing before the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee ran into difficulty because of a previous assignment in Haiti .  Nevertheless, he was commissioned during a Senate recess and recommissioned on March 25, 1999 .   

Swing’s involvement in the affairs of the Congo is well known as the US representative there who intervened in October 1998 in favor of President Laurent Desire Kabila during the dispute between Uganda and Rwanda , two neighboring countries. Some of the Congolese factions remembered his position when at a press conference in Kindu a journalist asked if he has a hidden agenda.  

“I have one mission,” responded Ambassador Swing, “maintain the peace process, reinforce the capacity of the all the institutions, and guide the UN MONUC Mission toward one objective – to stop the violence in this country and keep the electoral commission independent.”  

At a press briefing Monday a United Nations spokesman reconfirmed that William Swing has no hidden agenda and that his only mandate is the UN mandate.

RALPH BUNCHE—A VOICE FROM THE PAST

By Serge Beaulieu
UN Bureau Chief  

United Nations, New York, August 7, 2003 (CNS NEWS)

Former UN official Ralph Bunche, Nobel peace prize recipient and the man responsible for the establishment of the first UN peacekeeping operation UNTSO (UN Truce Supervision Organization) in 1948, would have been 100 years old on Thursday. Celebrating this occasion, the UN issued a commemorative stamp in his honor. The UN Secretary-General, former colleagues, diplomats, and friends alike gathered for the ceremony.

Kofi Annan in his speech said: "This centenary is an opportunity to remember Ralph Bunche and to carry his legacy and wisdom forward to new generations…He would be satisfied, I think, to see what we are doing to improve UN peacekeeping and other responses to conflict. Yet he would be deeply dismayed that it has taken so long to take such modest steps, and truly appalled that it took new acts of genocide to set these changes in motion."

His former colleague, Brian Urquhart, in a New York Times Op-Ed questioned how Bunche, who died in 1971, would have reacted to the delay in sending peacekeepers to arrest the horrors of northeastern Congo or Liberia as well as in other places in the recent past. He described Bunche as an "unassuming man - he never bothered, for instance, to correct a common misapprehension that he was born in 1904. He was also a very practical and extremely responsible, man. He disliked dilly-dallying with human tragedy and despised failures to respond to those in dire need. He was always prepared to look for new solutions when old ones had failed. I believe Ralph Bunche would have seen a rapid reaction force as an essential and timely expansion in the international community's capacity for helping the millions now afflicted by anarchy and civil war."

Although peacekeeping is not mentioned in the UN Charter, 56 of those operations have been deployed since 1948 at a cost of $28.73 billion. Fourteen are in operation today.

I was fortunate to have known Dr. Ralph Bunche at the UNTSO in Israel, at ONUC (UN Operation in the Congo), and at UN headquarters in New York. My impression of him was of a dedicated civil servant often buried behind mounds of memos and counter-memos. He walked with a swaying motion, seemingly unaware of his surroundings. He sat unobtrusively behind the Secretary-General in the Security Council chamber, and one could barely envision him in a confrontation with colleagues. However, in the aftermath of the Congo crisis in the 1960s, one of my friends, Jean David, facing difficulties in his ONUC mission, was shipped back to UN headquarters in New York. David told me that Bunche intervened on his behalf and threatened to resign in protest over the way his case was handled. Contrary to allegations, David said that Bunche was a man who stood up for principle.

A Swedish national, former member of Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjold's inner circle, who was familiar with the David situation, recently told me a similar story where Bunche had threatened to resign over a disagreement with Hammarskjold. He, too, concluded that Bunche was a man of honor.

MR. ANNAN’S PRESS CONFERENCE  

By Serge Beaulieu
U.N. Bureau Chief

United Nations, New York , July 30, 2003 (CNS NEWS)
Since the U.N.-Iraqi saga, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan had prudently confined himself to long distance briefings, ignoring his usual headquarters open-ended press conferences, which were largely packed with journalists and photographers juggling for seats in Room 301.  

Wednesday afternoon, the U.N. boss resumed his activities in front of a less-than-packed room.  The main topics, as would be expected, were Iraq , the Middle East , and Liberia .  His press spokesman made sure that the world press giants had their pick of questions.  

In his articulate way, Kofi Annan made sure questions asked, questions answered.  In one case, however, responding to an Associated Press correspondent, the answer appeared to have caught him off guard.   

QUESTION: Mr. Secretary-General, during the conflict over Iraq , some United States officials said that the United Nations was destined for the dustbin of history and the fate of the League of Nations . Yet, here we are, just a few short months later, talking about internationalizing the force in Iraq and giving the United Nations a much broader role there.  How do you feel about that, and what does this tell you about the architecture of what is going on in the world today in terms of multilateralism and unilateralism?  

RESPONSE: I think that the message that comes through loud and clear, giving the reaction of other member states, is that multilateralism is important for many states around the world, that for many states the United Nations is important, that the imprimatur of the United Nations—the legitimacy the United Nations offers—is important.  I think that this is a very clear message, particularly for those who thought that the United Nations was dead and had no influence.  I must admit to you that I did warn those who were bashing the United Nations that they had to be careful, because they might need the United Nations soon.  This was some months ago.  

This is not the first time that in the corridors of the United Nations clever, veteran diplomats and U.N. experts alike have compared the Iraqi dilemma to the invasion of Abyssinia by Ethiopia , which led to the downfall of the League of Nations .  But Kofi Annan seems confident that the organization will survive.  

MR. WORLD IS BACK…AT THE U.N.

United Nations, New York, July 15, 2003 (CNS NEWS)
By Serge Beaulieu
U.N. Bureau Chief

After a brief visit Monday in Washington, where he met with U.S. President Bush, Secretary-General Kofi Annan is back at the U.N.  His self-appointed mission was not to restore the credibility of the U.S. President in the Iraqi controversy but to try to restore his organization’s own credibility after the Iraqi debacle.  The photo-op of a U.N. secretary-general sitting at the White House with the President of the United States was enough to restore this confidence, even when President Bush said, “I told Kofi that we will help Liberia, but not under the U.N.’s blue helmets, after evaluating the situation.”  The U.S. President seemed more interested in defending his uranium statement and other controversies that appear to have entangled his administration.   

What has happened to the U.N. these days?  An active Security Council embracing all subjects appears to be moving along by introducing resolution after resolution under scrutiny of Big Brother: Washington .  Never in the history of the organization has a single country had such weight. Even television cameras at the U.N. seem to light up automatically when the U.S. ambassador is passing through.  

At the other end, a weak General Assembly comprised of all the member states appears to have almost given up to a mass of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that more and more occupy the corridors of the U.N., acting as the world’s representative body.  

The Secretariat is pumping press releases, a website, radio programs, hundreds of colorful magazines, but nobody seems to care.  In the meantime, civil wars, HIV/AIDS, poverty, and hunger are ravaging Africa and parts of Latin America .  Introducing its 2003 Human Development Report, UNDP has given our planet an image of gloom, where rich and poor appear to have reached irreconcilable differences.  Are we losing it?  

UNDP—ON THE MARK

By Serge Beaulieu
U.N. Bureau Chief

United Nations, New York, July 10, 2003 (CNS NEWS)

Every year the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) introduces a study that grades 175 countries around the globe. The placement indicator is a subject of pride for certain countries and a wakeup call for others, especially in the developing world.

This year Norway, Iceland, Sweden, Australia, and Holland have been graded as among the top five where air is fresher, food is tastier, and life in general is better.

Belgium, the United States, Canada, Japan, and Switzerland follow as the next best in the top ten. England holds the thirteenth position, while France, Germany, and Spain occupy the 17^th, 18^th, and 19^th positions.

Barbados, the little Caribbean island, is graded as 27^th, while Bahamas and Cuba are 49^th and 52^nd on the scale.

Sierra Leone is at the bottom of the list, together with a bunch of other African countries including Nigeria, Zambia, Angola, Chad, Ethiopia, and Burundi.

Although the presentation of the 367 page blue book is a subject of pride for those who prepared it, it is not an indication that the UNDP as an institution is fulfilling its mission.

At a press conference to present the book, UNDP experts were on hand to explain the contents of the publication filled with graphics and mumbo-jumbo explanations. They even attempted to answer questions? Which questions? Why are the African countries at the bottom of the list, including Nigeria? When will there be a breakthrough for the developing world? When will those countries, so filled with natural resources, be able to see the light of day? Where did the United Nations fail to promote sustainable and durable development? Of course those questions were not asked.

The United Nations Development Programme, which started about 50 years ago as a small institution promoting a tiny fishing project in Haiti, mushroomed into such a bureaucracy that it has developed into a worldwide politically oriented network. Obviously, the hope of promoting development in the Third World was not realized.

In June 1945 at Lake Success, Trygve Lie, then secretary-general of the United Nations, introducing the report of the first United Nations technical mission to the Republic of Haiti, said:

The United Nations mission of technical assistance to the Republic of Haiti deserves attention as a new departure in United Nations activities. Undertaken at the request of the Haitian government under Economic and Social Council Resolution 51 (IV) of 26 March 1947, it gives impetus to General Assembly Resolution 200 (III) of 4 December 1948 on technical assistance for economic development, deliberated on and finally adopted while the experts drawn from the United Nations Secretariat, the Food and Agricultural Organization, the International Monetary Fund, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, and the World Health Organization were actively engaged in Haiti in investigation of the country’s development problems. This mission is, in a sense, a precursor of the ampler efforts which it is hoped the international organizations concerned will be enabled to display in realization of the bold program of technical assistance to underdeveloped countries envisaged by the President of the United States and the United Nations contribution to which will be discussed at the forthcoming session of the Economic and Social Council. The mission having now submitted its report, the analysis and recommendations of which have been duly brought to the Haitian government’s attention, I have pleasure in making it public in full accord with the President of the Republic of Haiti.

That project was named the Rosenberg Mission to Haiti in honor of Oscar Rosenberg, a national of Sweden, who served as chief of mission. Now, 54 years later, Haiti, whose project launched the institution, is ranked 150 on the UNDP index, having dropped from 146 in the last study. Is there hope for any country?

U.N. VOTE—END OF ARM TWISTING  

By Serge Beaulieu
U.N. Bureau Chief  

United Nations, New York, May 23, 2003 (CNS NEWS)  

After a lot of arm twisting, the Security Council reached a 14-0 vote authorizing the occupation of Iraq by the coalition comprised mainly of the United States and Great Britain.  The absence at the vote of the Syrian delegation, the only Arab member of the Security Council, was interpreted as a sign of dissent.  But hours later, to the surprise of everyone, Syrian Ambassador Mikhail Wehbe insisted in a speech before the Council that, as per instructions of his country, he wanted the Council to reflect a “yes” vote, making the decision unanimous at 15-0.  Afterward, an observer said cynically: “Not only did they twist his arm, they broke his leg, too.”  

Immediately after, Secretary-General Kofi Annan issued a letter naming Sergio Vieira de Mello as his special representative to Iraq, a man who had been chosen, interviewed and approved by Washington more than a week ago.  De Mello, an Argentinean national, has been a trusted civil servant at the U.N. for many years.  Some observers had thought that Lakhdar Brahimi, an Algerian, currently the United Nations Special Envoy to Afghanistan, was going to be the choice, but his ties to the Arab world may have made him unacceptable to Washington.   

This is the end of a saga but not the end of the United Nations, as some had predicted.

INDIGENOUS PEOPLE
By Serge Beaulieu  

United Nations, New York , May 21, 2003 (CNS NEWS)  

As the United Nations is trying to come out clean from a post-Iraq-war situation without destroying the hope that the Founding Fathers had placed in the Charter, more than 1,500 indigenous people from around the world are closing a two-week symposium seeking solutions to the challenges facing their respective communities. This was the second session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.  

On May 12, Roberto Mucaro Borrero, a Taino from Puerto Rico , blew a conch shell to call the meeting to order.  Tadodaho Chief Sidney Hill, spiritual leader of the Haudenosaunee, with an honor guard of children of the Onondaga Nation, gave a tradition blessing.  Elizabeth Garnett of the Cherokee Nation U.S.A. spoke as a youth representative.  

For the past week, the U.N. corridors and cafeteria were transformed like a Hollywood movie set by indigenous people from all over the world proudly wearing their colorful, traditional costumes.  Nevertheless, the Iraqi saga remained the main topic of discussion in the building.  

Dr. Albert DeTerville, representing the Bethechilokono of Saint Lucia, said that the Indigenous People called his island Hiwanaru, which means land of the Iguana, and said that they have played—and continue to perform—an important role in the socio-cultural structure of Saint Lucia.  

From millennia before the Europeans came, the Indigenous Peoples of the Caribbean Basin , from Guanahatobey/Ciboney to Taino/Arawak to Kalingo/Carib to Bethechilokono practiced a non-exploitation culture based in classless communal social groups of families.   

The Bambuti People of the Democratic Republic of the Congo addressed the issue of violations of the rights of the Pygmies.  They said that the Bambuti Pygmies are considered to be sub-human, or are simply considered by some as animals, and that this is unacceptable in the 21^st Century.   

“In living memory, we have seen cruelty, massacres, genocide; but we have never seen human beings hunted and eaten literally as though they were game animals, as has recently happened to the Mambasa Pygmies in the Ituri District, Oriental province, in the North-East of the Democratic Republic of the Congo ,” said Sinafasi Makelo.  

The discussion did not answer the question of who is indigenous in Africa .  In North Africa and Saharan countries, the Berbers have established themselves as the indigenous people.  So have the Wodaabe and Mbororo pastoralists and the Ogoni people of the Delta district.  In Central Africa , it is the Batwa, the Baaka, and the Bambuti.  In the Horn of Africa, where the Sudanese government has been conducting ethnic cleansing in Southern Sudan, part of the clash is rooted in the prejudice by dominant groups that herding people are primitive and not worthy of human rights.  In Southern Africa , the Khoe and San peoples, calling themselves indigenous, have seen their rights improve since a democratic government came to power in South Africa .     

With all those complaints, the U.N. felt it necessary to establish a permanent forum where all the indigenous peoples could discuss their cases.  For the first time, indigenous voices, nominated by indigenous peoples, are speaking as officials of a United Nations body.  There are 16 members, eight of whom are nominated by indigenous peoples, and eight nominated by governments.  They are nominated for 3-year terms and can be re-nominated for an additional term.  

The forum will close on May 22.  

HEADS OR TAILS FOR THE SECURITY COUNCIL?
By Serge Beaulieu
U.N. Bureau Chief  

United Nations, New York , May 19, 2003 (CNS NEWS)  

The war in Iraq may be over, but the Security Council’s troubles have only begun.  Late Monday, a final draft resolution, sponsored by Spain , the United Kingdom , and the United States , was introduced before the other 12 members. The resolution reiterated the determination of the coalition that won the war to remain the “Authority” in Iraq .  

The resolution opened a crack by stipulating that other states in the future may work under the Authority. It still keeps Iraq under Chapter VII of the U.N. Charter by calling on member states to deny, among other points, safe haven to those members of the previous Iraqi regime who are allegedly responsible for crimes and atrocities and to support action to bring them to justice.  

As far as the United Nations is concerned, it called for the appointment of a special representative for Iraq whose independent responsibilities shall involve reporting regularly to the Council on his activities under this resolution, coordinating activities of the United Nations in post-conflict processes in Iraq, coordinating among U.N. and international agencies engaged in humanitarian assistance and reconstruction activities in Iraq, and, in coordination with the Authority, assisting the people of Iraq.  The resolution described from points (a) to (i) all the attributions of this special representative.  

The resolution calls for one billion dollars from the oil for food program to be transferred as soon as possible to a newly created development fund, which will enjoy all privileges and immunities equivalent to those enjoyed by the United Nations, except that the privileges will not apply to any legal proceedings in which recourse to such proceeds or obligations is necessary to satisfy liability for damage assessed in connection with an ecological accident, including an oil spill that occurs after the date of the adoption of the resolution.  

Paragraph 18 “decides to terminate effective on the adoption of this resolution the functions related to the observation and monitoring activities undertaken by the Secretary-General under the programme, including the monitoring of the export of petroleum and petroleum products from Iraq .”  

Five percent of the oil proceeds, which previously was kept by the Secretariat, will now be transferred to the compensation fund.  

The Iraqi debts have been left in the hands of financial institutions, including those of the Paris Club, to seek a solution.   

Paragraph 24 requests the Secretary-General to report to the Council at regular intervals on the work of the special representative while, at the same time, invites the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America periodically to inform the Council of their efforts under this resolution.  

One can see the hand of experienced diplomatic experts in the writing of this resolution.  

After the Security Council consultation Monday afternoon, while the United States and the United Kingdom were responding to questions at the stakeout, France , Russia , and Germany did not follow their custom to appear.  

Nevertheless, the British ambassador described the atmosphere in the Council as cordial, while the U.S. ambassador stated clearly that he expected a vote by Wednesday. Is it now heads or tails for the Security Council? 

U.N. – THE RETURN OF THE “TRUSTEESHIP SYSTEM”
By Serge Beaulieu
U.N. Bureau Chief  

United Nations, New York , May 11, 2003 (CNS NEWS)  

During the last 58 years, the United Nations trusteeship system has been very successful in providing this organization with more than three-quarters of its membership by granting full independence to countries previously under colonial rule.   The Trusteeship Council, one of the organs of the United Nations, is considered dormant now, since only a few little islands in the Pacific and the Caribbean are labeled not self-governing.  

The U.N. Charter makes it clear in Article 78 that the trusteeship system should not apply to territories that had become members of the United Nations, relationship among which should be based on respect of the principle of sovereign equality.  That was one of the reasons behind the hesitation by the Security Council to authorize the use of force against Iraq .  

Talking triumphantly to his troops aboard a U.S. carrier, the President of the United States said that “the invasion is over and the repugnant regime of Saddam Hussein is no more.”  He stopped short, however, of saying that this was the cessation of hostilities, which would have implied the intervention of the Geneva Agreement, which calls for a return of prisoners of war and also the cessation of hostility against the vanquished authorities.  

In his mind, the “deck of cards” listing the names of fugitives is still operative.  One of the world’s most wanted, Saddam Hussein, is still at large.  In the meantime, Iraq remains without a functioning government and the United Nations without a role.  This cannot continue, since Iraqi oil represents billions of dollars as an operative business.  But how can the situation be legitimized?  

Last week, the Secretary-General of the United Nations convened the members of the Security Council to his office in order to find a solution. The next day, the United States and Britain , the “occupying powers,” distributed a Project of Resolution legalizing their own rule over Iraqi territory and resources, reserving to the U.N. an obscure and indefinite role.  

By the end of the weekend, nobody knew who had conceived the idea to take the Security Council on retreat to further discuss the resolution.   The Security Council can do almost anything except violate the Charter, which perhaps some members are not inclined to do openly.  France , which had been the most vocal during the pre-invasion, has become very conciliatory.  At a stakeout, one was waiting for the French expression: “Nous sommes fouttus.”  

Russia , which still remains an ally of France , is apparently negotiating to see that the Iraqi debt to Russia , which is said to be in the billions of dollars, will be honored by whoever takes charge.  

Germany seems to be using the same approach.  

In the meantime, the Bush Administration is making sure that the war that was fought and won by the coalition gives to the winners the power to make all final decisions.  It is not only Iraq that is under trusteeship, but the U.N. itself.

JOHN M. GABOR -- NEW U.N. CHEF
By Serge Beaulieu
U.N. Bureau Chief
United Nations, New York, May 5, 2003 (CNS NEWS)

[Security Council resolutions]

UNIFIED SECURITY COUNCIL VOTED ON HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN IRAQ

United Nations, New York, March 28, 2003 (CNS NEWS)
By Serge Beaulieu
U.N. Bureau Chief

The war is not yet over, but the future of a post-war Iraq is being discussed at the U.N. by the big powers. Condoleezza Rice, Assistant to the U.S. President for National Security Affairs, Tony Blair, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom , and even Mohammed Aldouri, Iraq 's Ambassador to the United Nations, were guests of Secretary-General Kofi Annan in order to make sure that things will go smoothly.

Early Friday afternoon, Louise Frechette, Vice Secretary-General; Carol Bellamy, Director of UNICEF; Kenzo Oshima, Coordinator of Emergency Aid of the U.N., along with a representative of the UNDP (United Nations Development Program) made an emergency appeal for millions of dollars for humanitarian aid for Iraq .

Since 1976, UNDP has managed development projects throughout Iraq . More than US$4 billion in Iraqi petroleum revenue was invested in U.N.-administered development projects in northern Iraq . The UNDP role in a post-war Iraq , said the representative, will be focusing on humanitarian aid.

UNICEF, according to Carol Bellamy, is seeking US $160 million to help Iraqi children.

The appeal for support came at a time when this organization is attempting to set up a tanker truck operation to bring clean water to towns in southern Iraq , where more than one million people are thought to be without safe water.

Gunter Pleuger, Ambassador of Germany to the U.N., met with the press after introducing a draft resolution in the Security Council to reinstate the "oil-for-food" program, which was discontinued when the Secretary-General removed U.N. personnel just before the outbreak of war. Although this resolution has been adopted unanimously, there were feelings expressed in the discussion before the vote that it might be interpreted as legitimizing the invasion of Iraq . However, after the vote, each delegation expressed relief that the U.N. will be playing a part in a post-war scenario.

# # #

IRAQ UNDER U.N. "PROTECTORATE"?

United Nations, New York, March 28, 2003 (CNS NEWS) 
By Serge Beaulieu
U.N. Bureau Chief

The war is not yet over, but the future of a post-war Iraq is being discussed at the U.N. by the big powers.  Condoleezza Rice, Assistant to the U.S. President for National Security Affairs, Tony Blair, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and even Mohammed Aldouri, Iraq's Ambassador to the United Nations, were guests of Secretary-General Kofi Annan in order to make sure that things will go smoothly.

Gunter Pleuger, Ambassador of Germany to the U.N., introduced a draft resolution to reinstate the "oil-for-food" program, which was discontinued by the war.  The draft may be voted on by consensus, although France and Russia are reluctant, stating that such a resolution may be regarded as legitimizing the invasion.

Lakhdar Brahimi, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Afghanistan, may be transferred to the position of "Governor of Iraq," considered a dream job in that region.

In the meantime, the war continues, Baghdad has not yet been captured, and the government of Saddam Hussein is still in power.  There is a French proverb: Il ne faut pas vendre la peau de l'ours avant de l'avoir tue.  (Don't sell the skin of the bear before killing him.)

# # # 



TONY BLAIR at the U.N.

United Nations, New York, March 27, 2003 (CNS NEWS)
By Serge Beaulieu
U.N. Bureau Chief

U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair is scheduled to meet Thursday with U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan at United Nations headquarters to define the role of the organization in a post-war Iraq.

The United States and the United Kingdom are giving priority to humanitarian questions, while the Non-Aligned countries and the Arab League are asking the Security Council to halt the invasion.

A memorandum on the humanitarian question, prepared by the Secretariat, is being circulated, but the mood at the U.N. is toward condemnation of the U.S. and the U.K. If such a resolution should be introduced in the Security Council, however, the United States will most certainly use its veto power. The last resort would be to bring the matter before the General Assembly, where the U.S. has no veto power. The Non-Aligned group is considering such a move as the next step, even if the regime in Iraq falls in the interim.

SECURITY COUNCIL MEETS ON IRAQ

United Nations, New York (CNS NEWS), March 26, 2003
By Serge Beaulieu
U.N. Bureau Chief

On Wednesday, for the first time since the outbreak of hostilities between the United States, the United Kingdom, and Iraq, the U.N. Security Council met--at the request of the Arab League and the Non-Aligned Movement. Along with the 15 regular members of the Security Council, more than 50 non-members requested authorization to participate in the debate.

Although the original idea was to discuss humanitarian assistance to a post-war Iraq, based on suggestions from the Secretary-General, it appeared that the Arab League and the Non-Aligned countries were more interested in stopping the conflict and condemning the aggressors, referring to the United States, the United Kingdom, and their allies.

The Council president, Ambassador Mamady Traore of Guinea, requested that intervenants give a five-minute summary of their written speeches but noted that the entire texts would be entered on the record.

The Secretary-General was the first speaker and began by saying: "…during that week we have all been watching hour by hour, on our television screens, the terrifying impact of modern weaponry on Iraq and its people."

He continued by saying: "Many people around the world are seriously questioning whether it was legitimate for some member states to proceed to such a fateful action now—an action that has far-reaching consequences well beyond the immediate military dimensions—without first reaching a decision of this Council."

The Secretary-General went on to ask all belligerents to respect their obligations and to abide by the Geneva Convention. "I will recall in particular the provisions of the Fourth Geneva Convention under which those in effective control of any territory are responsible for meeting the humanitarian needs of its population, and are required to maintain dialogue and cooperation with international organizations engaged in humanitarian relief," he said. "No one on either side must obstruct that relief."

Speaker after speaker--from Malaysia, Algeria, Cuba, South Africa, Libya, Egypt, and other countries--denounced the invasion of Iraqi territory as a violation of the U.N. Charter. For a moment, the action on Iraq returned as a matter before the Security Council, which had not been able to prevent the invasion of Iraq.

Condoleezza Rice at the U.N.

United Nations, New York, March 25, 2003 (CNS NEWS)
By Serge Beaulieu
U.N. Bureau Chief

Very early Tuesday morning, Condoleezza Rice, Assistant to the U.S. President for National Security Affairs, paid a call at U.N. Headquarters to Secretary-General Kofi Annan to discuss humanitarian assistance to "post war" Iraq.  

Later on, in his regular briefing, White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer indicated that human rights was one of the issues discussed, as well as the role of the U.N. in the aftermath of the conflict.

Earlier, in Geneva, UNICEF had expressed renewed concern for children caught up in the war in Iraq and had urged the parties to the conflict to ensure that civilians are being protected adequately both from the battles and from the serious health risks brought about by damage to basic services. Carol Bellamy, Director of UNICEF, had urged the parties to abide by their humanitarian obligations under international law. Early today, Iraq’s Minister of Information had echoed in Baghdad the urgency of this humanitarian emergency.

More than 200 UNICEF staff members are still working inside Iraq.

There was no indication whether Dr. Rice and Kofi Annan discussed the criticism of the Secretary-General by the Iraqi authorities over the last few days.  

The impromptu visit Tuesday from a permanent member of the Security Council certainly helped morale at the United Nations. In the U.N. corridors, however, although the loud speaker announces from time to time that the Security Council is in consultation, diplomats, staff members, and the NGOs are busy watching live reports on the television screens.

KOFI ANNAN’S 
CREDIBILITY QUESTIONED

United Nations, New York, March 24, 2003 (CNS NEWS)
By Serge Beaulieu
U.N. Bureau Chief

Upon his arrival at U.N. Headquarters Monday morning, Secretary-General Kofi Annan encountered journalists asking intensive questions regarding statements made by Iraq’s Ambassador Mohammed Aldouri last Friday and the Vice President of Iraq, Taha Yasin Ramadan, accusing him of being a colonialist high commissioner.

The Secretary-General responded by saying: "I think I can understand the anger, the frustration, the exasperation of Mr. Ramadan, and maybe other Iraqis. Their country is at war, and these sentiments and anger are something that is understandable…The U.N. or I have no interest in becoming a high commissioner. And it is ironic that as a former colonial subject I’d be accused of being a colonialist."

As for the alleged violation of international law in his proposals for the oil-for-food program and his action of pulling workers out of Iraq, he answered: "…it has to be clear that the U.N. workers were the last to leave. Quite a lot of governments had pulled out their diplomatic staff before we did because of the impending war.... And we normally do remove our staff out of harm’s way."

He continued: "60% of [the Iraqis] have been dependent on the oil-for-food scheme…the Council and myself are determined to do whatever we can to keep that pipeline open.

Later on, at a press briefing, the Secretary-General’s spokesman, Fred Eckhard, was asked, once again, about Article 99 of the U.N. Charter, which gives the Secretary-General the authority to draw to the attention of the Security Council matters breaching peace and security. The answer was that since the Security Council was already seized if the matter, the Secretary-General did not feel it necessary to send a letter.

A journalist made a comparison between a strong statement made by the Secretary-General regarding a massacre in Kashmir over the weekend and a complete silence about the situation in Iraq. The Spokesman indicated that the Secretary-General has made his voice heard.

Since the United States had indicated that it was making pressure to remove Iraqi diplomats worldwide, a question was asked about the Iraqi Ambassador at the U.N. The answer was that, as of Friday, there had been no communication about any such request.

After the press briefing, a spokesperson for the Secretary-General confirmed that the Swiss authorities are the depository of the Geneva Convention, which has been a subject of controversy regarding the presentation of American POWs by Iraqi television.

This was one of the few times that a press briefing has come so close to questioning Kofi Annan’s credibility.

IRAQ'S DELEGATE ACCUSES KOFI ANNAN OF BIAS, WORKING WITH THE BRITISH AND THE AMERICANS AGAINST HIS COUNTRY

United Nations, New York, March 21, 2003 (CNS NEWS)
By Serge Beaulieu and Sondra Singer Beaulieu

Iraq's Ambassador to the United Nations, Mohammed A. Aldouri, read a statement to the press at 5:40 P.M. Friday evening, accusing U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan of collusion with the U.S. and Britain in order to eliminate Iraq as a sovereign nation.

Ambassador Aldouri said that Article 99 of the U.N. Charter makes it imperative for the Secretary-General to bring to the attention of the Security Council matters threatening the maintenance of international peace and security. This letter was never sent, he said, although the Secretary-General was quick to introduce a draft resolution regarding humanitarian issues, in conjunction with the United States and its allies, in essence removing the State of Iraq from existence. 

He further accused the Secretary-General of quickly removing the peacekeepers on the Iraq-Kuwaiti border, eliminating the buffer, enabling the United States and its allies to invade Iraq.

Ambassador Aldouri went further and referred to Article 100 of the Charter, Paragraph 1, which states that in the performance of their duties, the Secretary-General and the staff shall not seek or receive instructions from any government or from any other authority external to the organization. They shall refrain from any action which might reflect on their position as international officials responsible only the Organization.

This statement came at a time that reports indicate that the Iraqi leadership is in complete confusion. 

A spokesman for the Secretary-General informed correspondents that Kofi Annan will give his response on Saturday.

Most of the members of the press were already gone from the U.N. building, where the action on Friday seemed to consist of everyone watching the events in Iraq on television.

HEADS OR TAILS FOR THE SECURITY COUNCIL?
By Serge Beaulieu
U.N. Bureau Chief  

United Nations, New York , May 19, 2003 (CNS NEWS)  

The war in Iraq may be over, but the Security Council’s troubles have only begun.  Late Monday, a final draft resolution, sponsored by Spain , the United Kingdom , and the United States , was introduced before the other 12 members. The resolution reiterated the determination of the coalition that won the war to remain the “Authority” in Iraq .  

The resolution opened a crack by stipulating that other states in the future may work under the Authority. It still keeps Iraq under Chapter VII of the U.N. Charter by calling on member states to deny, among other points, safe haven to those members of the previous Iraqi regime who are allegedly responsible for crimes and atrocities and to support action to bring them to justice.  

As far as the United Nations is concerned, it called for the appointment of a special representative for Iraq whose independent responsibilities shall involve reporting regularly to the Council on his activities under this resolution, coordinating activities of the United Nations in post-conflict processes in Iraq, coordinating among U.N. and international agencies engaged in humanitarian assistance and reconstruction activities in Iraq, and, in coordination with the Authority, assisting the people of Iraq.  The resolution described from points (a) to (i) all the attributions of this special representative.  

The resolution calls for one billion dollars from the oil for food program to be transferred as soon as possible to a newly created development fund, which will enjoy all privileges and immunities equivalent to those enjoyed by the United Nations, except that the privileges will not apply to any legal proceedings in which recourse to such proceeds or obligations is necessary to satisfy liability for damage assessed in connection with an ecological accident, including an oil spill that occurs after the date of the adoption of the resolution.  

Paragraph 18 “decides to terminate effective on the adoption of this resolution the functions related to the observation and monitoring activities undertaken by the Secretary-General under the programme, including the monitoring of the export of petroleum and petroleum products from Iraq .”  

Five percent of the oil proceeds, which previously was kept by the Secretariat, will now be transferred to the compensation fund.  

The Iraqi debts have been left in the hands of financial institutions, including those of the Paris Club, to seek a solution.   

Paragraph 24 requests the Secretary-General to report to the Council at regular intervals on the work of the special representative while, at the same time, invites the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America periodically to inform the Council of their efforts under this resolution.  

One can see the hand of experienced diplomatic experts in the writing of this resolution.  

After the Security Council consultation Monday afternoon, while the United States and the United Kingdom were responding to questions at the stakeout, France , Russia , and Germany did not follow their custom to appear.  

Nevertheless, the British ambassador described the atmosphere in the Council as cordial, while the U.S. ambassador stated clearly that he expected a vote by Wednesday. Is it now heads or tails for the Security Council? 

U.N. – THE RETURN OF THE “TRUSTEESHIP SYSTEM”
By Serge Beaulieu
U.N. Bureau Chief  

United Nations, New York , May 11, 2003 (CNS NEWS)  

During the last 58 years, the United Nations trusteeship system has been very successful in providing this organization with more than three-quarters of its membership by granting full independence to countries previously under colonial rule.   The Trusteeship Council, one of the organs of the United Nations, is considered dormant now, since only a few little islands in the Pacific and the Caribbean are labeled not self-governing.  

The U.N. Charter makes it clear in Article 78 that the trusteeship system should not apply to territories that had become members of the United Nations, relationship among which should be based on respect of the principle of sovereign equality.  That was one of the reasons behind the hesitation by the Security Council to authorize the use of force against Iraq .  

Talking triumphantly to his troops aboard a U.S. carrier, the President of the United States said that “the invasion is over and the repugnant regime of Saddam Hussein is no more.”  He stopped short, however, of saying that this was the cessation of hostilities, which would have implied the intervention of the Geneva Agreement, which calls for a return of prisoners of war and also the cessation of hostility against the vanquished authorities.  

In his mind, the “deck of cards” listing the names of fugitives is still operative.  One of the world’s most wanted, Saddam Hussein, is still at large.  In the meantime, Iraq remains without a functioning government and the United Nations without a role.  This cannot continue, since Iraqi oil represents billions of dollars as an operative business.  But how can the situation be legitimized?  

Last week, the Secretary-General of the United Nations convened the members of the Security Council to his office in order to find a solution. The next day, the United States and Britain , the “occupying powers,” distributed a Project of Resolution legalizing their own rule over Iraqi territory and resources, reserving to the U.N. an obscure and indefinite role.  

By the end of the weekend, nobody knew who had conceived the idea to take the Security Council on retreat to further discuss the resolution.   The Security Council can do almost anything except violate the Charter, which perhaps some members are not inclined to do openly.  France , which had been the most vocal during the pre-invasion, has become very conciliatory.  At a stakeout, one was waiting for the French expression: “Nous sommes fouttus.”  

Russia , which still remains an ally of France , is apparently negotiating to see that the Iraqi debt to Russia , which is said to be in the billions of dollars, will be honored by whoever takes charge.  

Germany seems to be using the same approach.  

In the meantime, the Bush Administration is making sure that the war that was fought and won by the coalition gives to the winners the power to make all final decisions.  It is not only Iraq that is under trusteeship, but the U.N. itself.

JOHN M. GABOR -- NEW U.N. CHEF
By Serge Beaulieu
U.N. Bureau Chief
United Nations, New York, May 5, 2003 (CNS NEWS)

[Security Council resolutions]

UNIFIED SECURITY COUNCIL VOTED ON HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN IRAQ

United Nations, New York, March 28, 2003 (CNS NEWS)
By Serge Beaulieu
U.N. Bureau Chief

The war is not yet over, but the future of a post-war Iraq is being discussed at the U.N. by the big powers. Condoleezza Rice, Assistant to the U.S. President for National Security Affairs, Tony Blair, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom , and even Mohammed Aldouri, Iraq 's Ambassador to the United Nations, were guests of Secretary-General Kofi Annan in order to make sure that things will go smoothly.

Early Friday afternoon, Louise Frechette, Vice Secretary-General; Carol Bellamy, Director of UNICEF; Kenzo Oshima, Coordinator of Emergency Aid of the U.N., along with a representative of the UNDP (United Nations Development Program) made an emergency appeal for millions of dollars for humanitarian aid for Iraq .

Since 1976, UNDP has managed development projects throughout Iraq . More than US$4 billion in Iraqi petroleum revenue was invested in U.N.-administered development projects in northern Iraq . The UNDP role in a post-war Iraq , said the representative, will be focusing on humanitarian aid.

UNICEF, according to Carol Bellamy, is seeking US $160 million to help Iraqi children.

The appeal for support came at a time when this organization is attempting to set up a tanker truck operation to bring clean water to towns in southern Iraq , where more than one million people are thought to be without safe water.

Gunter Pleuger, Ambassador of Germany to the U.N., met with the press after introducing a draft resolution in the Security Council to reinstate the "oil-for-food" program, which was discontinued when the Secretary-General removed U.N. personnel just before the outbreak of war. Although this resolution has been adopted unanimously, there were feelings expressed in the discussion before the vote that it might be interpreted as legitimizing the invasion of Iraq . However, after the vote, each delegation expressed relief that the U.N. will be playing a part in a post-war scenario.

# # #

IRAQ UNDER U.N. "PROTECTORATE"?

United Nations, New York, March 28, 2003 (CNS NEWS) 
By Serge Beaulieu
U.N. Bureau Chief

The war is not yet over, but the future of a post-war Iraq is being discussed at the U.N. by the big powers.  Condoleezza Rice, Assistant to the U.S. President for National Security Affairs, Tony Blair, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and even Mohammed Aldouri, Iraq's Ambassador to the United Nations, were guests of Secretary-General Kofi Annan in order to make sure that things will go smoothly.

Gunter Pleuger, Ambassador of Germany to the U.N., introduced a draft resolution to reinstate the "oil-for-food" program, which was discontinued by the war.  The draft may be voted on by consensus, although France and Russia are reluctant, stating that such a resolution may be regarded as legitimizing the invasion.

Lakhdar Brahimi, the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Afghanistan, may be transferred to the position of "Governor of Iraq," considered a dream job in that region.

In the meantime, the war continues, Baghdad has not yet been captured, and the government of Saddam Hussein is still in power.  There is a French proverb: Il ne faut pas vendre la peau de l'ours avant de l'avoir tue.  (Don't sell the skin of the bear before killing him.)

# # # 



TONY BLAIR at the U.N.

United Nations, New York, March 27, 2003 (CNS NEWS)
By Serge Beaulieu
U.N. Bureau Chief

U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair is scheduled to meet Thursday with U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan at United Nations headquarters to define the role of the organization in a post-war Iraq.

The United States and the United Kingdom are giving priority to humanitarian questions, while the Non-Aligned countries and the Arab League are asking the Security Council to halt the invasion.

A memorandum on the humanitarian question, prepared by the Secretariat, is being circulated, but the mood at the U.N. is toward condemnation of the U.S. and the U.K. If such a resolution should be introduced in the Security Council, however, the United States will most certainly use its veto power. The last resort would be to bring the matter before the General Assembly, where the U.S. has no veto power. The Non-Aligned group is considering such a move as the next step, even if the regime in Iraq falls in the interim.

SECURITY COUNCIL MEETS ON IRAQ

United Nations, New York (CNS NEWS), March 26, 2003
By Serge Beaulieu
U.N. Bureau Chief

On Wednesday, for the first time since the outbreak of hostilities between the United States, the United Kingdom, and Iraq, the U.N. Security Council met--at the request of the Arab League and the Non-Aligned Movement. Along with the 15 regular members of the Security Council, more than 50 non-members requested authorization to participate in the debate.

Although the original idea was to discuss humanitarian assistance to a post-war Iraq, based on suggestions from the Secretary-General, it appeared that the Arab League and the Non-Aligned countries were more interested in stopping the conflict and condemning the aggressors, referring to the United States, the United Kingdom, and their allies.

The Council president, Ambassador Mamady Traore of Guinea, requested that intervenants give a five-minute summary of their written speeches but noted that the entire texts would be entered on the record.

The Secretary-General was the first speaker and began by saying: "…during that week we have all been watching hour by hour, on our television screens, the terrifying impact of modern weaponry on Iraq and its people."

He continued by saying: "Many people around the world are seriously questioning whether it was legitimate for some member states to proceed to such a fateful action now—an action that has far-reaching consequences well beyond the immediate military dimensions—without first reaching a decision of this Council."

The Secretary-General went on to ask all belligerents to respect their obligations and to abide by the Geneva Convention. "I will recall in particular the provisions of the Fourth Geneva Convention under which those in effective control of any territory are responsible for meeting the humanitarian needs of its population, and are required to maintain dialogue and cooperation with international organizations engaged in humanitarian relief," he said. "No one on either side must obstruct that relief."

Speaker after speaker--from Malaysia, Algeria, Cuba, South Africa, Libya, Egypt, and other countries--denounced the invasion of Iraqi territory as a violation of the U.N. Charter. For a moment, the action on Iraq returned as a matter before the Security Council, which had not been able to prevent the invasion of Iraq.

Condoleezza Rice at the U.N.

United Nations, New York, March 25, 2003 (CNS NEWS)
By Serge Beaulieu
U.N. Bureau Chief

Very early Tuesday morning, Condoleezza Rice, Assistant to the U.S. President for National Security Affairs, paid a call at U.N. Headquarters to Secretary-General Kofi Annan to discuss humanitarian assistance to "post war" Iraq.  

Later on, in his regular briefing, White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer indicated that human rights was one of the issues discussed, as well as the role of the U.N. in the aftermath of the conflict.

Earlier, in Geneva, UNICEF had expressed renewed concern for children caught up in the war in Iraq and had urged the parties to the conflict to ensure that civilians are being protected adequately both from the battles and from the serious health risks brought about by damage to basic services. Carol Bellamy, Director of UNICEF, had urged the parties to abide by their humanitarian obligations under international law. Early today, Iraq’s Minister of Information had echoed in Baghdad the urgency of this humanitarian emergency.

More than 200 UNICEF staff members are still working inside Iraq.

There was no indication whether Dr. Rice and Kofi Annan discussed the criticism of the Secretary-General by the Iraqi authorities over the last few days.  

The impromptu visit Tuesday from a permanent member of the Security Council certainly helped morale at the United Nations. In the U.N. corridors, however, although the loud speaker announces from time to time that the Security Council is in consultation, diplomats, staff members, and the NGOs are busy watching live reports on the television screens.

KOFI ANNAN’S 
CREDIBILITY QUESTIONED

United Nations, New York, March 24, 2003 (CNS NEWS)
By Serge Beaulieu
U.N. Bureau Chief

Upon his arrival at U.N. Headquarters Monday morning, Secretary-General Kofi Annan encountered journalists asking intensive questions regarding statements made by Iraq’s Ambassador Mohammed Aldouri last Friday and the Vice President of Iraq, Taha Yasin Ramadan, accusing him of being a colonialist high commissioner.

The Secretary-General responded by saying: "I think I can understand the anger, the frustration, the exasperation of Mr. Ramadan, and maybe other Iraqis. Their country is at war, and these sentiments and anger are something that is understandable…The U.N. or I have no interest in becoming a high commissioner. And it is ironic that as a former colonial subject I’d be accused of being a colonialist."

As for the alleged violation of international law in his proposals for the oil-for-food program and his action of pulling workers out of Iraq, he answered: "…it has to be clear that the U.N. workers were the last to leave. Quite a lot of governments had pulled out their diplomatic staff before we did because of the impending war.... And we normally do remove our staff out of harm’s way."

He continued: "60% of [the Iraqis] have been dependent on the oil-for-food scheme…the Council and myself are determined to do whatever we can to keep that pipeline open.

Later on, at a press briefing, the Secretary-General’s spokesman, Fred Eckhard, was asked, once again, about Article 99 of the U.N. Charter, which gives the Secretary-General the authority to draw to the attention of the Security Council matters breaching peace and security. The answer was that since the Security Council was already seized if the matter, the Secretary-General did not feel it necessary to send a letter.

A journalist made a comparison between a strong statement made by the Secretary-General regarding a massacre in Kashmir over the weekend and a complete silence about the situation in Iraq. The Spokesman indicated that the Secretary-General has made his voice heard.

Since the United States had indicated that it was making pressure to remove Iraqi diplomats worldwide, a question was asked about the Iraqi Ambassador at the U.N. The answer was that, as of Friday, there had been no communication about any such request.

After the press briefing, a spokesperson for the Secretary-General confirmed that the Swiss authorities are the depository of the Geneva Convention, which has been a subject of controversy regarding the presentation of American POWs by Iraqi television.

This was one of the few times that a press briefing has come so close to questioning Kofi Annan’s credibility.

IRAQ'S DELEGATE ACCUSES KOFI ANNAN OF BIAS, WORKING WITH THE BRITISH AND THE AMERICANS AGAINST HIS COUNTRY

United Nations, New York, March 21, 2003 (CNS NEWS)
By Serge Beaulieu and Sondra Singer Beaulieu

Iraq's Ambassador to the United Nations, Mohammed A. Aldouri, read a statement to the press at 5:40 P.M. Friday evening, accusing U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan of collusion with the U.S. and Britain in order to eliminate Iraq as a sovereign nation.

Ambassador Aldouri said that Article 99 of the U.N. Charter makes it imperative for the Secretary-General to bring to the attention of the Security Council matters threatening the maintenance of international peace and security. This letter was never sent, he said, although the Secretary-General was quick to introduce a draft resolution regarding humanitarian issues, in conjunction with the United States and its allies, in essence removing the State of Iraq from existence. 

He further accused the Secretary-General of quickly removing the peacekeepers on the Iraq-Kuwaiti border, eliminating the buffer, enabling the United States and its allies to invade Iraq.

Ambassador Aldouri went further and referred to Article 100 of the Charter, Paragraph 1, which states that in the performance of their duties, the Secretary-General and the staff shall not seek or receive instructions from any government or from any other authority external to the organization. They shall refrain from any action which might reflect on their position as international officials responsible only the Organization.

This statement came at a time that reports indicate that the Iraqi leadership is in complete confusion. 

A spokesman for the Secretary-General informed correspondents that Kofi Annan will give his response on Saturday.

Most of the members of the press were already gone from the U.N. building, where the action on Friday seemed to consist of everyone watching the events in Iraq on television.