The UN’s great contradiction

THE EDITOR, Madam:

When formed in 1945 to replace the League of Nations after World War II, the objectives of the United Nations were to maintain international peace and security; to protect human rights; to deliver humanitarian aid; to support sustainable development; and to uphold international law.

It’s always a hypocritical contradiction when political leaders meet for their annual United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in a place designed to bring peace, but instead they invariably talk about wars and destruction. This year was no exception, with emphasis on participants in the current Persian Gulf War.

As usual, great fanfare went to the US president, on opening day, making unvarnished threats to annihilate Iran if a peace deal is not reached. Television cameras showed a packed UN General Assembly Hall. The seating capacity is for delegations of six representatives to each of 193 member states, and most of those 1,158 seats were filled, along with a huge media contingent.

The next day, Iran’s president spoke, displaying dramatic pictures of his country’s Supreme Leader and over 150 school kids, allegedly killed in bombing attacks by the US and Israel. His presentation was also well attended but, when Israel’s controversial prime minister stepped onto UNGA’s iconic green marble podium on the third day, hundreds of delegates walked out in protest. A belligerent and bellicose Israeli PM spoke of more war offensives in the Middle East, his recurring message for 30 years.

Other prominent politicians addressed a near-empty General Assembly Hall; the UK’s new prime minister dedicated much of his introduction to the world to castigating Russian interference and disinformation. He spoke late in the evening in New York when most delegates were at dinner, and past midnight in the UK when most of his countrymen were asleep.

Likewise, the Canadian prime minister inexplicably passed his chance to speak at UNGA to his foreign minister for the second year running. By the time her turn came on Saturday afternoon, most delegations were long gone for the weekend. Maybe some made the short trip to Virginia Beach to catch the 41st Farm Aid benefit concert. Under a full harvest moon, the amphitheatre was filled to its 20,000 capacity to watch a 93-year-old singer lead a group of good-hearted troubadours helping America’s family farmers in financial distress.

It helps fill seats when that very senior citizen has spent a lifetime as a bona fide peacemaker in the real world by sharing his unique blend of love and happiness, is named Willie Nelson, and is still able to perform so many hits, including one which sums up UNGA perfectly, Crazy.

BERNIE SMITH

Parksville, BC

Canada