The UN is not a useless organisation
SIR— We refer to the two letters “US can’t blame for ignoring UN†which appeared on November 10 and “How dare Senkindu say that the UN is useless?†which appeared on November 12.
SIR— We refer to the two letters “US can’t blame for ignoring UN†which appeared on November 10 and “How dare Senkindu say that the UN is useless?†which appeared on November 12.
While each individual has the right of opinion, with due respect, credit should be given where it is due particularly with regard to the United Nations.
The UN was for decades faced with the neo-supremacy of the two world superpowers, notably the former USSR and the United States of America (USA) in its international dealings.
But with the end of the Cold War, the UN system over the last decade has seen significant improvement in its international stature in the areas of peace, international law, preservation of security, humanitarian and relief assistance with its meager resources and worldwide criticisms on how it handles issues.
The UN is the most well-placed organisation today in the world to bring peace, resolution of conflicts and prevent them. Unilateral actions by member states which cause war, conflicts and suffering cannot be blamed squarely on the UN.
Take for instance the war in Iraq. The UN position was very clear and the conditions in Iraq currently prove that the UN stand was correct!
The UN’s role in Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine, Congo, Sudan, etc, and most significantly for us back home in Uganda cannot be understated. We only need a stronger UN for a better world and we all have to contribute. Peace processes need consistent, honest, principled and complementary efforts.
This means that we all have to show commitment for tolerance, mutual respect and the agreement to settle conflicts without recourse to violence. The UN has surely played a great role in these aspects over the years and needs to be commended.
If the UN is adequately funded, it will surely react to international problems with the necessary appropriate action. But then countries like the US do not honour their obligations in the payment of their dues and promised contribution. How can one then expect the UN to fully operate in its current state?
The United Nations has done a superb job, leaving aside the ever-increasing challenges in the socio-economic international arena. The dawn of the 21st century brought with it new challenges that the world body is handling today such as the Millennium Declaration of September 2000 which, if adhered to by all member states, the world would be a much better place to live in.
Today, the UN is being reformed to be even better equipped to solve the global challenges. We all need to support it for a better world and posterity.
Richard Baguma Tinkasimire
and Frederick Kiapi
United Nations Association of Uganda (UNAU)
While each individual has the right of opinion, with due respect, credit should be given where it is due particularly with regard to the United Nations.
The UN was for decades faced with the neo-supremacy of the two world superpowers, notably the former USSR and the United States of America (USA) in its international dealings.
But with the end of the Cold War, the UN system over the last decade has seen significant improvement in its international stature in the areas of peace, international law, preservation of security, humanitarian and relief assistance with its meager resources and worldwide criticisms on how it handles issues.
The UN is the most well-placed organisation today in the world to bring peace, resolution of conflicts and prevent them. Unilateral actions by member states which cause war, conflicts and suffering cannot be blamed squarely on the UN.
Take for instance the war in Iraq. The UN position was very clear and the conditions in Iraq currently prove that the UN stand was correct!
The UN’s role in Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine, Congo, Sudan, etc, and most significantly for us back home in Uganda cannot be understated. We only need a stronger UN for a better world and we all have to contribute. Peace processes need consistent, honest, principled and complementary efforts.
This means that we all have to show commitment for tolerance, mutual respect and the agreement to settle conflicts without recourse to violence. The UN has surely played a great role in these aspects over the years and needs to be commended.
If the UN is adequately funded, it will surely react to international problems with the necessary appropriate action. But then countries like the US do not honour their obligations in the payment of their dues and promised contribution. How can one then expect the UN to fully operate in its current state?
The United Nations has done a superb job, leaving aside the ever-increasing challenges in the socio-economic international arena. The dawn of the 21st century brought with it new challenges that the world body is handling today such as the Millennium Declaration of September 2000 which, if adhered to by all member states, the world would be a much better place to live in.
Today, the UN is being reformed to be even better equipped to solve the global challenges. We all need to support it for a better world and posterity.
Richard Baguma Tinkasimire
and Frederick Kiapi
United Nations Association of Uganda (UNAU)