U.N. future subject of speech

U.N. future subject of speech

by Kristin Pratt
Daily Tarheel
February 15, 2006

Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright once said, "Even superpowers need friends."

Gillian Sorensen, a former United Nations assistant secretary-general, said that statement is as true as ever when looking at the United States and its relationship with the U.N.

Sorensen, a senior adviser at the United Nations Foundation, discussed the U.N.'s reform movement and the need for the United States' involvement during a speech to 25 students Tuesday afternoon at Graham Memorial Hall.

"Everything we do is noted, remembered and writ large in the world," she said of U.S. actions.

She said any action by this country that doesn't follow U.N. standards decreases the credibility of the United States.

She said the country should sign treaties such as the Kyoto Protocol, start paying voluntary money to the U.N. Population Fund and send its most skillful diplomats to help foreign relations.

One of the major factors contributing to the schism between the United States and the U.N., she said, is the nation's perception that the U.N. is an ineffective institution, a view that has spread since the 1990s.

"They began to see the U.N. not as a valuable instrument but as the enemy," Sorensen said of U.S. congressmen. "They started to use language that clearly did its utmost to dismiss, demean and degrade the U.N. and those who work there."

She said that the increasing U.N.-bashing is something Americans need to address and that it not only harms the U.N. but also the United States.

She added that the way to confront the negativity is to bring back strong leadership that promotes the U.N., to educate the public about the achievements the organization has made and to put a stop to the bad press.

Sorensen also discussed the institution's reform efforts.

"The U.N. is indispensable," she said. "It is imperfect, but it is indispensable."

U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan put forward a reform plan last year, looking for it to be passed as a package, but instead it has been picked apart, Sorensen said.

But one of the major components of the reform movement is still alive: the Human Rights Council, which if created would work year-round to aid victims of human-rights violations.

Officials also are debating a plan to establish a peace-building commission. The commission would help smooth the transition to peace after conflicts, easing situations such as the one in Iraq.

Sorensen called the changes fundamental, not cosmetic.

"This is a renewed, reformed U.N., which is better set for the 21st century."

One of the main concerns facing the U.N. is the end of Annan's term, which expires Dec. 31.

She emphasized the need to find a leader that would help the U.N. through difficult times and would help bridge its rift with the United States.

The recent tension is the result of the Iraq war, she said. She added that despite the U.N.'s disapproval of the U.S.-led war, the organization is still there for the clean-up process.

Americans for Informed Democracy, with the University chapter of the U.N., sponsored Sorensen's speech.

Contact the State & National Editor at stntdesk@unc.edu.