Blog @ MoreWhat.com

It is not uncommon to find an analysis of the foreign policy differences between John McCain and Barack Obama. One such analysis below from down under agrees with the view from this blog and is used here to emphasize that point. Senator John McCain is in a much better position to deal with Iran than Barack Obama. Among all the issues that face the US now and will face the next President very soon, Iran and their pursuit of nuclear capabilities as well as the threats against Israel, the rest of the Middle East and the world in general ranks as critiical. So think about the other events related to Iran presented below and their historical implications.

Iran test candidates

In the end the result was much closer than anticipated, with most political pundits calling it tie. But on the crucial issue of Iran, Senator McCain struck a more convincing tone, giving him the edge on this most pressing of security issues. What to do about Iran’s nuclear weapons program will be one of the most difficult challenges to face the next occupant of the White House. A nuclear-armed Iran would spark an atomic arms race in the Middle East, threaten the world’s oil supplies and embolden Iran-sponsored extremist groups such as Hezbollah.

Senator Obama’s policy on Iran has been marked by missteps, most notably his offer to negotiate directly with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad without preconditions. In Saturday’s debate he backtracked on this position, saying he was no longer so sure. But he stuck to his belief that direct diplomacy would give the US more credibility to press for tougher sanctions. Senator McCain was more forthright, ruling out talks with Mr Ahmadinejad and reiterating his opposition to giving ground in any way that might legitimise the Iranian leader’s illegal behaviour.

At first glance, the title from an article in the Tehran Times suggested someone had lost their mind or this was simply propaganda from Iran.

Rabbis hail Ahmadinejad’s NY visit

A group of American rabbis welcome Iran’s President Mahmud Ahmadinejad’s visit to New York in a move aimed at countering an anti-Iran protest.

Iran promotes peace and respects Judaism, spokesman of Neturei Karta International (Jews United Against Zionism) Rabbi Yisroel Dovid Weiss said in a statement issued on the eve of President Ahmadinejad’s visit to New York.

This is while a pro-Israeli group called the Conference of Presidents of Major American Organizations has made efforts to organize a rally in front of the UN headquarters on Sunday to protest President Mahmud Ahmadinejad’s arrival in the U.S..

Right out of the blocks the claim that Iran ‘promotes peace and respects Judaism’ sends the BS meter off the charts. How is advocating the destruction of Israel promoting peace and respecting Judaism? The additional strange suggestion from the piece indicating Rabbis on both sides of the Iranian controversy. The report offered below also presents a combination of expected and unexpected responses to Iran.

A coalition of U.S. religious groups exchanged views with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad at a New York hotel.

The dialogue Thursday, sponsored by Mennonite, Quaker and other religious groups that press for world peace, had been sharply criticized by Jewish groups for allegedly legitimating the Iranian president’s anti-Semitic rhetoric and his oppression of religious minorities in Iran.

Expected: Jewish groups criticizing others for meeting with the Iranian President. Unexpected: other religious groups meeting with the Iranian President. While one might not reasonably expect everyone to hold the same opinion on Iran on every issue, recognizing Ahmadinejad’s call for the destruction of Israel and therefore condemning the Iranian Preisdent and refusing to meet with him should be SOP for religious groups as well as political leaders. Since Ahmadinejad has been compared to Hitler it is not a stretch to view some recent events as similar to the coddling manner by which many also treated Hitler during his rise to power in Germany. And we all know what happened then.

And then a surprise from the WSJ that would seem more appropriately located in the confines of the NYT based on past history. A reporter’s account of an invite and dinner with Ahmadinejad extended to those of Iranian heritage.

Inside Iran, sentiments are divided over him. The ultra conservatives praise his populist demeanor while others criticize him for his government’s economic policies that have contributed to the rise of unemployment and a 25% inflation rate, despite a country swimming in cash from soaring oil prices.

At the dinner party in New York, criticism of Mr. Ahmadinejad appeared to have been brushed aside and replaced with fervent nationalistic pride. Both the host and the attendees appeared to cling to the one strong, if only, tie: being Iranian.

And the same mixed reactions are of course not dead at the United Nations either.

Sound familiar? First there is tough talk from those in the UN and the IAEA that Iran is dangerous and pursuing nukes (or WMD) and that they are ignoring the United Nations and members that are demanding they cease and desist.

UN Nuclear Agency Accuses Iran of Blocking Investigation

September 15, 2008
The United Nations nuclear agency is accusing Iran of blocking a U.N. investigation into allegations that Tehran tried to make nuclear weapons.

The UN then speaks of enforcing sanctions and possibly announcing more to which Ahmadinejad promptly flips them off.

Iran’s Ahmadinejad Dismisses Sanction Talk as Weak

September 18, 2008
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has dismissed talk of new sanctions over Iran’s disputed nuclear work as a sign of weakness by those making the threat.

And about a week later the Iranian President struts his stuff at the UN and essentially tells them to go pound sand

Iran’s Ahmadinejad Denounces ‘Bullying Powers’ in UN Address

Sept 26, 2008
The Iranian leader sounded a defiant tone at the United Nations, where preliminary consultations have been held on a possible fourth sanctions resolutions against Tehran in the Security Council because of its refusal to halt uranium enrichment.

Sounds like the UN responded with tougher sanctions after being bad mouthed by Iran.

Major Powers Agree on New UN Resolution on Iran

Sept 26, 2008
Putting aside differences over Georgia, the United States and Russia joined other major powers Friday in endorsing a new draft U.N. Security Council resolution calling on Iran to comply with international demands to halt its uranium enrichment program. The draft, expected to be approved by the full council next week, reaffirms existing U.N. sanctions against Iran but contains no new ones.

While the previous report indicates there were no new sanctions, the title and story below drive home the point.

Iran Avoids New Sanctions in Security Council Vote

By Margaret Besheer
27 September 2008

The United Nations Security Council has adopted a resolution ordering Iran to halt its uranium enrichment program — but the council did not impose any new sanctions.

And on top of all that comes a recent addition to the shameful actions of some Iranian citizens.

Young Iranians Release Book Caricaturing The Holocaust

Sunday, September 28, 2008

TEHRAN, Sept. 27 — Iranian students have released a book containing cartoons of the Holocaust, including some depicting hospitalized Jews on respiratory machines attached to canisters of Zyklon B, the gas used to exterminate Jews during World War II.

The students, members of a state militia, unveiled “Holocaust” in Tehran’s Palestine Square on Friday in the presence of Education Minister Ali Reza Ali-Ahmadi, during annual demonstrations calling for the retreat of “Zionists” from “occupied Palestine.”

Below is an excerpt of an account of the Iranian President’s stand on Israel.

Ahmadinejad: Destroy Israel, End Crisis

Thursday, August 3, 2006; 10:49 AM

PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia — Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Thursday the solution to the Middle East crisis is to destroy Israel. In a speech during an emergency meeting of Muslim leaders, Ahmadinejad also called for an immediate halt to fighting in Lebanon between Israel and the Iranian-backed militant group Hezbollah.

“Although the main solution is for the elimination of the Zionist regime, at this stage an immediate cease-fire must be implemented,” he said.

Ahmadinejad, who has drawn international condemnation with previous calls for Israel to be wiped off the map, said the Middle East would be better off “without the existence of the Zionist regime.”

Israel “is an illegitimate regime, there is no legal basis for its existence,” he said.

There are enough examples in this post to reveal nearly every nation, organization or group is complicit in allowing the insanity that is Ahmadinejad to persist. Many are quick to condemn his behavior but few, especially the United Nations, are prepared to support that condemnation with action. This includes other Arab states who publicly support peace in the Middle East but whose actions offer little evidence that this is anything more than posturing.

It has been said that during the first Presidential debate John McCain was the only adult in the room. That would be a plus since Ahamdinejad contends since the US has nukes Iran should be able to also. An adult would handle that like any other lame argument from an unruly child and not allow the stupidity to continue. Whereas Barack Obama would simply say ‘no’ without follow up action like the fine parents who let their children raise hell in public to the disdain of others wishing the offending parent(s) knew how to raise children.

But of course that is an absurd analogy on the state of affairs with Iran equal to the inept response of world leaders to the very real threat of the stated goals of Iran.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

This picture of Nicolas Sarkozy and Carla Bruni could work for a caption contest. Lookin’ a little saggy there Nick, is the better half giving you the ‘what for’ starting on your wedding day? Wuz up, Nick, is she suggesting a beach diet? Gotta have some fun with a country’s leader when they marry a high profile celeb, current creds subject to debate, and then lectures the world on finance, Africa and who should or shouldn’t be subjected to the humiliating experience of membership in the UN.

But you have to give Sarkozy some credit. He’s done more to raise France’s reputation in the world since being elected than, uh, since, uh, I dunno, Napolean? Suggesting Marie Antoinette might be tasteless, but she was given a bad rap by the MSM or something.

Can’t be helped. On this blog any opportunity to exploit Carla Bruni at France’s expense is just too hard to resist.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

France Calls for Global Summit on Financial Crisis
By VOA News
23 September 2008
French President Nicolas Sarkozy has called for an emergency summit of world leaders to address what he calls the most serious financial crisis the world has experienced since the 1930s.

In a speech at the U.N. General Assembly Tuesday, Mr. Sarkozy said the international community has a political and moral responsibility to deal with the effects of such crises. He said world leaders should act now to create globalized institutions that will regulate financial activity and rebuild a system of capitalism where rules of caution apply to all.

Mr. Sarkozy, whose country holds the rotating EU presidency, also called for solidarity between Europe and Russia. He said Europe wants a partnership with Russia, but he warned that Moscow must not compromise respect for international law or territorial sovereignty.

Mr. Sarkozy mediated a truce ending last month’s conflict between Russia and Georgia for control of Georgia’s breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

On Iran, the French leader said Europe respects Tehran’s right to peaceful nuclear activity. But he said it cannot accept a nuclear-armed Iran that would endanger the peace and stability of the entire region.

Turning to Africa, Mr. Sarkozy said the world cannot wait to achieve peace and end the “tragedy” in Sudan’s western Darfur region. He said Europe also is committed to helping Somalia combat piracy off its coasts.

Mr. Sarkozy said Europe is working to ensure Africa has a place among the permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, and in what is currently the Group of Eight (G8) industrialized nations.

The French president called for enlarging the U.N. Security Council and the G8 in an effort to make the institutions more representative. He said the world can wait no longer to bring India, South Africa, Mexico and Brazil into the fold of international institutions.
Some information for this report was provided by AP.

Russian Pop Star Battles Human Trafficking

By Lisa Schlein
Geneva
Schlein report - Download (MP3)
Schlein report - Listen (MP3)

Russian Pop diva Valeriya is using her star appeal and personal experience as an abused woman to help migrant workers in her homeland break free of the bonds of sexual exploitation and forced labor. The Geneva-based International Organization for Migration has named Valeriya as its goodwill envoy for the Russian Federation. She says she will use this position to try to prevent migrants from becoming victims of human trafficking. Lisa Schlein reports for VOA from IOM headquarters in Geneva.

Russian pop star Valeriya is wildly popular at home and in neighboring countries. She has sold 100 million CDs. She hopes to break into the British music market, where she has been dubbed the Russian Madonna, with an English version of her album Out of Control.

But, all is not as wonderful as this dazzling success would imply. Valeriya is the first one to acknowledge that appearances can be deceptive.

“I consider myself as an ex-victim of slavery,” she said. “I have suffered a lot from domestic violence for 10 years. I was forced to work for a man, who was my husband, and treated me - he treated me like his own slave.”

Her words are at odds with the poised, pretty woman saying them. She does not look like a victim. Tall, thin and elegant, Valeriya looks much younger than her 40 years. Her publicity photos exploit her sexy blonde good looks. In person, however, she appears simpler and more fragile. Her boyish haircut, loose bangs and big blue eyes belie the suffering she says she had to endure during 10 years of marriage.

“My husband was a real monster,” she said. “I did not know it before, but he beat me up. He cut me with knives and sexual exploitations - well, all kind of these bad things. So, I know how it is. It is not easy to talk about it.”

Valeriya’s husband was also her manager. She says he forced her to sign many contracts so she could not work without his permission. She says he took all her money. Finally, she says she got fed up with this abuse, took her three children and ran away to a small town where her parents lived.

“Six of us lived in their small one-bedroom flat for two years, and I was a very famous singer at that moment,” she said. “But, for me it did not matter, anything. I just wanted to be free.”

Valeriya believes she can draw upon her own experience as goodwill envoy for the International Organization for Migration to help people in danger of becoming victims of human trafficking.

Human trafficking frequently involves the trafficking of women and children for sexual exploitation. It also often involves exploitation of agricultural and sweatshop workers, as well as individuals working as domestic servants.

Since 1992, IOM reports about one-half million women left Russia in search of work in neighboring countries. It says many of them ended up being trafficked.

IOM’s chief of mission in the Russian Federation, Enrico Ponziani, says, when people arrive in the country of destination, their passports and travel documents are taken away. They are confined in places where they have no freedom of movement.

“And, then, at that point, they have become basically slaves,” he said. “They are fed when the trafficker wants to feed them, and then they have to do everything that they are told to do.”

Ponziani says this form of modern day slavery does not just apply to sexual exploitation. It also takes the form of forced labor, where people do not get paid for the work they do.

“They are forced to do what they are told,” he said. “And, if not, they are threatened, beaten; in the case of women, [they are] raped, etc., etc …Trafficking is both. It touches men, women, children, everybody.”

Some 260 victims of trafficking have been helped at an IOM rehabilitation center, which opened in Moscow in 2006. Many are Russians, followed by migrants from Uzbekistan, Moldova and Ukraine.

IOM’s head of counter-trafficking activities worldwide, Richard Danziger, says it is impossible to get exact numbers of victims who have been trafficked, but he is sure that the 260 known victims in Moscow are just the tip of the iceberg.

He says there has been a major change in trafficking trends. Russia is no longer a major source country.

“Russia has become a major destination country,” Danziger said. “Because of the boom in the Russian economy, it is attracting migrants from all the neighboring countries. Certainly women, but also men.”

Valeriya says she will always retain some wounds from her abusive life with her husband. But, she says she is using her experience to tell other women who have suffered badly not to feel sorry for themselves, but to act to rebuild their lives, as she has done.

from MoreWhat.com:

Why do those who reach some degree of celebrity in the entertainment business or elsewhere feel compelled to launch some sort of campaign on behalf of whom ever? Madonna did. Is that why some refer to Valeriya as the Russian Madonna? Bono did or does. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt do. What’s the deal? Is it a way to get over their guilt of success and having whatever they want? Is it a way to get more publicity?

Stanford Matthews

crossposted at:
Reject the UN
Screw the UN

Back to one of the stories that demonstrates the United Nations continuum. An internet search of the word continuum may give you definitions the ease of which to understand equals the difficulty of determining where all the money goes after being given to the international organization whose name implies a lofty goal. The same can be said for the program known as the Millennium Development Goals that it happens just received an evaluation from ‘educators.’

Earlier reports on this topic pointed to the low probability of the goals being achieved over a 15 year period and how that plays into the UN’s strategy. Propose unrealistic goals while ignoring the conflicting agendas, collective plausible denial, timetables designed to out live participants or oversight and infinite appeals for funding always reported as inadequate. If the United Nations is not the real world version of the fairy tale goose that lays the golden eggs it is close enough.

A group of educators, donors, lobbyists and most likely UN reps held a meeting to discuss the MDG education program status and funding. It would almost seem incredible that what are supposed to be intelligent people could use the same words and phrases over and over again, year after year, to describe more failures and pandering for more money with no shame. The trick is one has to pay attention to every word and you quickly notice nothing is being said but the hand is out.

Half way through the 15 year goals timetable, just like earlier reports of other programs, they may mention the original goal more or less specifically but it is followed by vague and broken descriptions of what has happened to date. That is followed by excuses that funding was inadequate and more is needed. The cycle repeats until a new program is launched that also accomplishes nothing but requires continuous funding. Hence, the reference at the top of this post about the UN continuum. Here are some examples from the latest report.

“We are really making progress,” he said. “There are huge challenges, but progress is being made to achieve this important goal.”

After a slow start in the 32 countries funded by the Fast Track Initiative, their annual report says by 2010 most will have 100 percent of kids start first grade.

7 or eight years into a 15 year program the ’slow start’ means they have completed nothing. They probably reason that if you bought the program to begin with and nothing is even remotely close to complete at the half way point, you’re good for believing that 3 more years story. By then you will have forgotten about it or another classic excuse will be provided right before the appeal for more money the destination of which no one knows outside the UN.

“I would say the most critical issue is that the governments are making education a priority,” he said. “It is a political will issue and they are really making very rapid progress. They have got a lot of catching up to do. They are moving faster than any region has ever moved before.”

How’s that for 50 words that say nothing? The report admits widespread corruption that is standard for UN operations. Can you say Oil for Food Program? And their audacity is unmistakable. Right after essentially saying nothing which translates into these programs are totally useless, true to form the final comment from a spokesperson is:

“Overall, we need another $6 billion U.S. per year just to get every child to complete a primary cycle of education,” she explained.

source: http://www.voanews.com/english/2007-12-11-voa50.cfm

crossposted at:
Reject the UN

Listen up fans of international politics. The United Nations is borrowing a page from the uber liberal playbook. Do your best to stir guilt within the richest in the industrial nations so they may follow by preaching to ordinary citizens to justify spending public funds for private agendas. With a knack for plagiarism that would have Joe Biden blush, the UN is adopting the methods of the man who fathered the global warming ponzi scheme, Al Gore.

Are there environmental issues that pose a threat to the long term health of the biosphere we call Earth. Yes. But the current frenzy and panic caused by Al Gore and friends has nothing to do with that. Ecology and all things environmental are nothing new. Even before the sixties when such terms became household words much had been written and addressed on the topic. If two so-called oil shortages or crisis situations took place with no substantive demand or economic viability of alternative forms of energy as a result over the last 30 or 40 years, it is fair to say that few people took the notion seriously enough, including the scientific community, to implement effective change.

Oh, it was or is a corporate conspiracy. Ya, like the 100 or 200 mpg internal combustion engine they bought and hid from the public. So now, why is every other corporation on the planet tripping over themselves to jump on board of Al Gore’s Good Ship Eco-flop? There’s gold in them there hills, that’s why. And it did not take very long for the United Nations to wake up to that fact. Their never ending pursuit of guilt dollars with which to line their pockets now includes posturing on the global warming scare.

Hedging their bets with the advent of cascading failures related to the flagship Millennium Development Goals, supporting Al Gore’s global warming scheme with appeals for money of their own indicates a true talent for extortion. But then you may need to read the full article to appreciate the style with which the scam is presented. Apparently for some, having a large contingent supporting the current rage on GW with an equally large contingent rejecting the notion has not sent up enough red flags leading to a continued search for the truth.

UN Says Billions Needed to Help Poor Countries Deal with Climate Change
By Marianne Kearney
Jakarta
28 November 2007

The United Nations is calling on developed countries to donate billions of dollars to help poorer nations deal with the devastating effects of climate change. Marianne Kearney has more from Jakarta.

A new report by the U.N. Development Program paints a dire picture of how poor people will be affected by climate change. The report calls on first world countries to pay for the damage their greenhouse gas emissions inflict on developing nations.

Two-thirds of the world’s poor live in Asia. The U.N. warns they will be especially vulnerable to the effects of rising temperatures, even if tough measures to limit greenhouse gas emissions are implemented now.

Hakan Bjorkman, the U.N. Development Program’s country director for Indonesia, says more funding is needed to help poorer countries avoid loss of life and income as a result of droughts, flooding and food shortages.

“Only $26 million have been spent through the UNFCC mechanism on adaptation, while something like $86 billion is needed by 2015,” he said.

Bjorkman says most of the funding to help countries deal with the effects of climate change has flowed to wealthy nations rather than poor ones.

In addition, the U.N. estimates that a fund of $25 billion to $50 billion a year is needed to help developing countries switch to cleaner energy sources.

The UNDP’s report says a rise of just two degrees in the oceans’ temperature would cause glaciers in the Himalayas to melt, affecting the food and water source for two billion people in Asia. Increased flow in the region’s rivers would displace 22 million people downstream in Vietnam alone.

The UNDP also warns that rising sea levels would cause the collapse of coral reefs, affecting coastal communities in Indonesia and elsewhere in Asia.

The report calls on developing countries to cut their greenhouse emissions by 80 percent by the year 2050, and says India and China should cut their emissions by 20 percent in the same time frame.

Bjorkman says there is a stark difference between the ability of rich and poor countries to adapt to global warming.

“For example, in the United Kingdom where $1.2 billion is being used to prepare for flooding, in the Netherlands people are investing, with government support, in some kind of floating houses, so when the flooding comes they can actually float up,” said Bjorkman .

While in Ethiopia, adaptation is about women having to walk much further to get water and in Bangladesh its about people building flood shelters on bamboo sticks and in Vietnam there are swimming lessons for women and children.”

The U.N. report also warns that in Indonesia, climate change has already helped lead to an increase in water borne diseases such as malaria and dengue, and in child malnutrition.

crossposted at:
Reject the UN

While good news from Iraq should never be overlooked with the MSM tendency to focus on the bad, overstating the good news would be counterproductive at the least. With the uber liberal left totally invested in defeat at every turn and sporting their surrender monkey mascot, the stunning success of the troop surge in Iraq was enough evidence for the media to begin covering positive stories about Iraq but that is not the case with White Flag Harry Reid and his sidekick No Way Nancy.

Enter the much criticized United Nations. They may have published accurate figures on some of the stats of returning Iraqis based on a comparison with the following report from Alsumaria TV.

Hundreds of Iraqi displaced return home
Friday, November 23, 2007 10:36 GMT
Encouraged by the reduction of violence in Baghdad, hundreds of Iraqi citizens returned to their hometown, in a moving scene that had refugees shed tears as they got back together with their families and relatives.
Displaced Minister Abdul Samad Sultan confirmed that thousands of people have returned to Iraq while many of them owned houses which were taken while they were gone. In this context, Sultan explained that the Ministry is coordinating with Iraqi-US security operations commanders in Baghdad to help returning displaced regain their homes. Yet, international rescue organizations noted that the number of displaced inside Iraq exceeds the number of returning citizens.
Meanwhile, Iraqi Finances Minister Bayan Jaber Sulag arrived to Damascus in a visit aimed to offer a $ 52 million aid to Syria in support to its efforts of caring for hundreds of thousands of Iraqi refugees on its territory.

But the UN can’t be expected to be on the same page with others on all information and they have a knack for overstating the obvious. Besides numbers on returning Iraqis, the UN states Iraq offered $15 million to Syria as financial assistance for dealing with refugees. The report above puts the number at $52 million. But then the UN is not known for their ability to handle money properly. They also warn that encouraging Iraqis to return home is a bad idea since the region is still not stable enough. Do you suppose the Iraqis are capable of making that distinction on their own? Who should know better how things are going? A group that left Iraq at the first sign of trouble or citizens thoroughly invested in the future of Iraq? And of course the UN makes the case that Iraqis are returning because of visa requirements in refugee host countries like Syria and because they are running out of money. They reject the notion that any are returning due to the improved security conditions. Certainly violence is not a thing of the past in Iraq but drawing conclusions about anything in the region is a risky proposition.

UN refugee agency warns against return to Iraq
Fri Nov 23, 9:54 AM ET

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees “does not believe that the time has come to promote, organise or encourage returns” given the volatile and unpredictable security situation in Iraq, spokeswoman Jennifer Pagonis told journalists.

“Presently, there is no sign of any large-scale return to Iraq,” she added.

Iraq said earlier this week that it will offer Syria 15 million dollars (10 million euros) to help pay the costs of sheltering refugees.

Then there is the estimate in general of people displaced as a result of violence in Iraq. Some reports say about 2 million Iraqis are displaced while others have the number at 4 million. This might be explained by not separating internal from external displacements.

The number of internally displaced people, or IDPs, in Iraq grew by 16 percent in September - to 2,299,425, the Red Crescent said. That figure has skyrocketed since the beginning of 2007, when less than half a million people were listed as displaced.

The following report from the BBC reflects the most common report on the numbers but there are plenty of others out there.

Iraq’s ministry of migration told the BBC about 1,000 people were returning every day.

The UN’s refugee agency, the UNHCR, estimates about 45,000 Iraqis returned from Syria in October - the first month of the school year.

WHERE IRAQIS HAVE FLED TO
Syria: 1,400,000
Jordan: 750,000
Gulf states: 200,000
Egypt: 100,000
Iran: 54,000
Lebanon: 40,000
Turkey: 10,000
Internally displaced: At least 2,000,000
Source: UNHCR (October 2007)

Note that the BBC indicates Iraq’s ministry puts the number at 1,000 per day yet the UN estimates 45,000 during a one month period. And the UN supplied numbers on refugees to each country plus internal and external displacements seems to be inflated when compared to other reports. Since they just admitted their AIDS numbers were exaggerated it would not be unreasonable to suspect this is another math failure for the United Nations. Still, the most annoying part of the UN’s take on Iraq is that they have a take at all. It would be nice if there were a few issues and events in which they did not feel compelled to butt in. In other words, keep your opinions, suggestions and urgings to yourself from time to time. If for no other reason than to not be so predictable.

There are so many tasks that the United Nations fails at miserably it would be in their best interest and certainly ours if they would limit their involvement in world affairs to focus on a handful of items in an effort to improve their performance. Rather than take on all the world’s problems their own Millennium Development Goals failures should be adequate proof they need to reduce their workload. Please, take this hint. Scale it back to maybe one project per year. If you can successfully complete one, then the following year try two, and so on.

The United Nations performance does not indicate they should be giving advice to anyone. And that certainly includes the Iraqis. These people have suffered enough and they are entitled to make their won decisions without unnecessary interference from the UN.

In conclusion, it may be fair to state that hundreds of Iraqis are returning to Iraq. The rate may be as high as 1,000 or so per month. The total number of persons displaced may be 4 million. And the US military troop surge has made it possible for people to consider returning. It is likely they understand that the risks of violence still exist but the situation is much improved. More people speaking on Iraq could express the good news rather than focusing on the obvious and typical darker sides of war. That can help bring this to a speedier conclusion.

from VOA News
15 November 2007
The U.N. nuclear agency says Iran has made important progress in revealing details about its nuclear program, but continues to defy U.N. Security Council demands to stop enriching uranium.

The International Atomic Energy Agency announced that finding in a report released Thursday.

Iran says the report shows it has been cooperating with the IAEA. Iran’s top nuclear negotiator, Saeed Jalili, says the Security Council would be wrong to pursue another round of sanctions against Tehran.

But the United States says the report shows Tehran continues to ignore international demands to suspend sensitive atomic work.

Washington has called for a third round of U.N. sanctions against Iran for its refusal to suspend uranium enrichment, a process that can be used to make nuclear weapons.

China and Russia, both permanent U.N. Security Council members, have been reluctant to support more sanctions.

The United States and its allies accuse Iran of seeking nuclear weapons - a charge Iran denies.

crossposted at:
Reject the UN
Screw the UN

There is a noticeable amount of chatter regarding economic issues of Africa lately. For how long has it been claimed that the poorest, most destitute group of people live in Africa. Or more accurately, the people living in Africa may represent some of the world’s most needy populations until the UN is seeking money by using other examples. Then that part of the world is in the worst shape. But that is not really the issue of economics in Africa either. First, an excerpt from a current quote from someone from the United Nations on economics and Africa.

“What we are advocating is that these intellectuals give priority to Africa. If you go to the U.S., you go to other countries, there are outstanding African intellectuals and economists working in this context, in these institutions, and they are involved in a lot of global issues, and their voices are being heard,” said Janneh. “We are saying, this is fine, continue to do so, but reserve a substantive portion of your intellect, or your attention, on African issues. Once you do that, I think it is fine. Do not leave this to outsiders.”

What is the United Nations if not outsiders no matter where they are? And has economics become the current buzzword for their agenda? It seems that it was just moments ago they were describing the inhabitants of Burma as the most economically disadvantaged due to the financial rape by a military junta of a country with abundant resources. A situation allowed to continue fo decades. Another example of the impotent, incompetent or simply corrupt nature of the United Nations and their claim to be representatives of international cooperation.

So the United Nations once again is serving up sage advice for individuals with African roots to dedicate some portion of their skills and expertise to economic development of their home country even though they may no longer live there. And yet the very outsider influence typically sought by the UN is at least temporarily being rejected in the case of Africa. A continent the UN most often pleads for as a worthy recipient of food and medicine to cover the basic needs of impoverished citizens. In addition, the UN is not formally discouraging the outside influence they want native talent to replace.

Delegates to the U.S.-Africa business summit say Africa is open for business. Many sub-Saharan economies are growing by more than five percent per year. Wiseman Nkuhlu of Pan-African Capital Holdings says much of the continent has entered a productive era.

The first concern should be whether or not private sector involvement in Africa’s economic development will result in common exploitation of vulnerable socieities plagued by corruption internally and externally. Not like the UN has been without the influence of corruption but the internal variety in the form of military dictators or the flux of near continuous civil war or the ravages of rebel militias are a constant risk to investment even if it is entirely benevolent.

The following is not an example of benevolent economic development but merely a common tactic to profit indirectly from investments that do not have the host country’s best interests in mind.

China Invests $5.5 Billion in South African Bank
By Delia Robertson
Johannesburg

In the largest post-apartheid direct investment deal in South Africa, the state-controlled Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, ICBC, has purchased 20 percent of Standard Bank, South Africa’s largest lender.

Many reports coming out of Africa are suggesting various economies on the continent are emerging as competitive. At best, with countries like Zimbabwe yet in political turmoil and others simmering from recent widespread violence or devastation by disease or natural disasters, honest and effective development will certainly not come from the pathetic fiasco known as the Millennium Development Goals. That said, Africa’s chances for avoiding scams from strangers bearing gifts may expose them to an equal risk. With the United Nations talking about African economic development that outcome is almost guaranteed. So Africa will have to survive more decades of abuse before they may emerge viable as an economic force able if not willing to attend to the needs of their citizens.

crossposted at:
Reject the UN
Screw the UN

If a country has been ruled by a military junta since 1962 and is currently engaged in a ‘crackdown’ against citizens they deem problematic, what possible relevance does forming a committee to develop a constitution possess? If 15 or 20 years have gone by with no measurable progress on implementing reforms announced, the answer to this question is simple. The military bullies are simply posturing for the international media, the United Nations and anyone else silly enough to view this latest report as meaningful.

The UN and at least one NGO have indicated millions of people are or may be starving within Burma. This is beyond the number of victims produced in the military regime’s current abuse of the Burmese people. The response by the international community has been the typical sanction threats or actions, the usual suspects dissenting on any action against the ruling thugs of Burma and almost everyone else largely ignoring the entire situation. At least that is how it appears with no solution provided and the UN doing the usual kabuki dance.

You can take all the ideologies on the planet and throw them out. If every country was forced to survive only with what is available within their own geopolitical boundaries we would soon learn that from a practical standpoint we need each other. While the Jihadists inflict upon the innocent their crude, barbaric and self-centered retribution and the recognized nations of the world continue business as usual as a more subtle approach to the same end, targeting other human beings as one’s prey for personal gain will fuel the unrest and bitterness throughout this planet ad infinitum.

It is not really a matter of the United Nations being flawed or incompetent. The organization and the members it represents never sincerely intended to achieve the goals contained in any mission statement. It was merely a convenient method to appear concerned and open another channel for pursuing their original objectives; to rise above the competing nations for a superior position in the world. And the game continues unabated.

Burma’s Military Government Appoints Commission to Draft Constitution

By VOA News
18 October 2007
Burma’s military government says it has appointed a committee tasked with drafting the country’s constitution.

State media Thursday report the 54-member committee will be chaired by Chief Justice Aung Toe.

The move is another step in the military government’s so-called “road map” to democracy that it says will lead to elections in the future.

The guidelines for a new charter were decided during 14 years of talks that ended in September. The party of detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi was not a participant in those talks and the guidelines bar her from holding office.

The U.S. State Department Thursday reproached the Burmese government for failing to halt its crackdown, release political prisoners, or open a dialogue with its political opponents.

Burmese state media claim the government is still holding nearly 380 people arrested in the crackdown on protesters.

Separately, the U.N. World Food Program reports that an estimated five million people in Burma, or roughly 10 percent of its population, are on the verge of starvation.

Earlier today, the United Nations envoy to Burma, Ibrahim Gambari, suggested that international powers give Burma incentives to let it know that the world is not just there to punish its military rulers.

Gambari is in Jakarta as part of an Asian tour aimed at increasing pressure on Burma’s government after its bloody crackdown on pro-democracy protests last month.

Gambari says he will make his next trip to Burma around mid-November, or earlier, if possible.

He hopes to meet with Burma’s top military leader, General Than Shwe, and detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi during the visit.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

crossposted at:
Reject the UN
Screw the UN

In August and September there were posts here on the United Nations Millennium Development Goals. Recent reports indicate October will not pass without another reminder of expected failure. The first report features a conference on a popular topic of UN media releases; stories about women and children. Women’s issues are a staple subject for the UN. This particular conference is about maternal health. 20 years of maternal health publicity and 15 years of Millennium fantasies are not producing results.

Maternal Health Conference Opens in London
By Tendai Maphosa
London
18 October 2007

A three-day conference on ways to reduce preventable deaths of newborns and women during pregnancy has opened in London. Tendai Maphosa has more for VOA from London.

The Women Deliver Conference has attracted about 2,000 delegates, including politicians from Africa and Asia, heads of U.N. agencies, health professionals, human rights activists, and faith groups from 75 countries.

The conference kicks off amid concern that Millennium Development Goal Five, which aims to improve maternal health, may not be achieved. The target set by the United Nations is to reduce maternal mortality by 75 percent between 1990 and 2015.

The UN’s MD goals are failing on other fronts as well. There are often statements referenced in articles like the one below that imply the UN relies on ‘raising awareness’ as if no one realizes there are issues that need to be resolved. Which can lead one to the obvious conclusion all these campaigns are a scam.

Most Countries Making Slow Progress Resolving World Hunger Crisis
By Rosanne Skirble
Washington, DC
18 October 2007

In 2000, leaders from 189 countries adopted a United Nations plan to cut extreme poverty and hunger. The U.N. Millennium Development goals aimed, by 2015, to cut hunger in half and child mortality by two-thirds.

Uruguay, Peru and the Fiji Islands have also done relatively well, but according to the Index most countries will not reach the U.N. Millennium targets if progress continues at current rates.

There were three other examples of the UN doing nothing but making unnecessary statements. It has become so commonplace it is as if they are in a trance and do it automatically. Likewise the public seems quite prepared to ignore them. The member countries are under no pressure to honor the stated mission of the United Nations and so things continue to languish. Any progress made can be credited to others with no legitimate reason for the UN to exist.

UN Chief Urges Iraqis to Promote National Reconciliation

UN: North Korean Flood Victims Need Emergency Aid

UN Official Says Millions Go Hungry in Burma Despite Vast Agricultural Resources

And if you are following the story in Burma, while a tragic situation, it presents a typical UN response to crisis within the world. The public pleadings of the UN may only help the culprits of each crisis. By now perpetrators worldwide must be aware of how to manipulate the UN’s own practices to further their sinister ambitions. You can expect further empty statements, urgings and meaningless proclamations from the United Nations.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

sources:
http://www.voanews.com/english/2007-10-18-voa32.cfm
http://www.voanews.com/english/Science/2007-10-18-voa15.cfm
http://www.voanews.com/english/2007-10-18-voa27.cfm
http://www.voanews.com/english/2007-10-18-voa50.cfm
http://www.voanews.com/english/2007-10-18-voa51.cfm

By VOA News

Japan has canceled nearly $5 million in aid to Burma over the military’s government crackdown that resulted in the shooting death of a Japanese journalist.

Japan’s Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura said Tuesday that the move reflected the present situation in Burma and last week’s U.N. Security’s Council’s statement criticizing the crackdown.

Japanese video journalist Kenji Nagai was killed September 27 while filming the crackdown on protesters in Rangoon.

Officials say the canceled grants - worth $4.7 million - were intended to fund the construction of a human resources center in Burma.

On Monday, the European Union decided to impose an import embargo on timber, gems and precious metals from Burma in response to the military government’s crackdown on demonstrators.

In a statement released after Monday’s meeting in Luxembourg, European foreign ministers said the seriousness of the situation in Burma has made it necessary to increase direct pressure on its military rulers.

They said the new measures are designed to target those responsible for the violent crackdown and will not harm the general population.

Britain’s Foreign Secretary David Miliband said the EU would offer economic incentives and support if Burma participates in a U.N.-brokered dialogue with its opponents. But he threatened further sanctions if Burma’s government refuses to cooperate.

U.N. special envoy Ibrahim Gambari is on a visit to Southeast Asia to gather support for political reconciliation in Burma.

Gambari is set to return to Burma in mid-November.

Burmese authorities opened fire on thousands of anti-government demonstrators in Rangoon last month. Since then, authorities have arrested thousands of monks and activists, and many are believed to have been killed.

This series of photos released by the Democratic Voice of Burma shows the sequence of events of Kenji Nagai’s death on the street in Rangoon

Bush: New Free Trade Deals Will Strengthen US Economy, Create Jobs
By VOA News
President Bush is calling on Congress to approve four new international free trade accords he says will strengthen the U.S. economy and create jobs.

In his weekly radio address, Mr. Bush Saturday said trade deals with Peru, Colombia and Panama will give American business access to more than 75 million customers in Latin America. And he said a trade agreement with South Korea will open up one of the world’s most powerful economies to U.S. goods and services.

The president said expanding international trade will lead to more exports which will support better and higher-paying jobs for Americans.

Mr. Bush said passing the four new trade pacts would serve U.S. security and moral interests, as well as help democracies.

And what do people say about NAFTA and other such agreements? It would not be going out on a limb to say there are more than a few complaints about free trade agreements. Do free trade agreements favor a select few or are they good for all? Do free trade agreements have a positive impact on all countries involved? Do free trade agreements permit unscrupulous participants to circumvent the laws of their own country? The most suspicious phrase in the report above is ‘..international trade will lead to more exports which will support better and higher-paying jobs…’

The sentence including that phrase is plausible deniability if job growth does not support the claim later.

more stories below……

Key Shi’ite Figure Rejects Permanent Foreign Military Base in Iraq

Burmese Authorities Arrest 4 Prominent Activists

Pakistan Urges Bhutto to Delay Return

Turkish Official Cancels US Visit Over Genocide Resolution

Gates Meets Russian Cadets, Rice Meets Human Rights Activists

Chinese Communist Party Holds Congress

Dalai Lama to Receive US Congressional Gold Medal

Nobel Spurs Gore Supporters to Urge Presidential Bid

Just by reading the headlines above some thoughts come to mind.
Does anyone want a permanent US military base in Iraq?
Would more international coercion expedite a solution in Burma?
Will Bhutto’s return to Pakistan have a positive impact?
Was there any beneficial purpose in the ‘genocide resolution’?
Is Putin’s treatment of Gates & Rice a subtle publicity stunt?
How Red is China?
Is the Dalai Lama US visit a publicity stunt?
Does Al Gore deserve any credit?

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

related thought-provoking links:

Berkeley Lab Scientists Contribute.. Studies that win the Nobel Prize

The NSF Connection to the Nobel Prizes

Latin America: In Search of the New Left

Bush Presses US Congress on Latin America Trade Deals

crossposted at:
Maggie’s Notebook | Conservative Blog
FaultlineUSA
Reject the UN
Screw the UN
Conservative Thoughts


More than one month ago continued reports of trouble in Burma were in the press, Protesting Continues in Burma Despite Crackdown. About the same President Bush issued preliminary comments, Bush Urges Burma to Stop Intimidating Citizens , that may have served as a warning shot accross the bow. The next report, US, Indonesia Urge China, India to Press Burma , may have overdone the warning theme and similar to other nation’s impotent responses suggest with or without the United Nations there is little in the way of peer pressure on the international stage.

An almost unnoticed statement from the UN, UN Human Rights Chief Voices Concern About Violations In DRC, Iran and Burma , demonstrates the useless rhetoric that appears to be the norm in these situations and likewise the norm of those who warrant the verbal chastisement to ignore the warning. It all seems to choreographed as if all the participants share the guilt equally.

The second and third week of September witnessed a dramatic decrease in world chatter over the worsening crisis in Burma. But in the third week with most officials having no excuse to be unaware of the problem a convenient event also provided no excuse for an organized response by the UN, World Leaders Address UN General Assembly. The members were already together for other business and it lasted until October 3rd, UN General Assembly Annual Debate Concludes , with over 100 heads of state ignoring the Burma problem as it continued to develop.

ASEAN Under Pressure to Press Burma Against Violence, ‘Burma’s neighbors worried military’s crackdown on protesters, which began Wednesday, could lead to massive bloodshed.’ That was the 26th of September and as recently as late August it was not a secret that trouble was brewing in Burma that would probably require international intervention. The headlines below illuminate the days leading up to the military violence against Burmese citizens.

Bush Announces New Sanctions on Burma
US to Increase Sanctions Against Burma; Protests Continue in Rangoon
Burma Threatens Action Against Protesting Monks
Thousands of Burmese Join Monks in Massive Protest

On the day the violence erupted, US, EU Ask UN to Consider New Burma Sanctions, while the response was, UN Security Council Urges Restraint Against Burmese Protesters. as if the crisis had just begun but the truth is, Burma Crackdown Condemned, but Not Unexpected. While the Bush Administration may be able to state they did something, US Condemns Burmese Military, Imposes Sanctions , most of the world’s nations are guilty of adopting the common UN-like approach, Burma’s Neighbors in SE Asia Express ‘Revulsion’ Over Crackdown. Expressing reactions or sentiments rather than taking decisive action capable of forcing an end to the violence is simply wrong.

Long about the beginning of October, a senior envoy from the UN spends three or more days in Burma, gets snubbed by General Shwe, wastes time with photo ops with Burma’s leading dissenter who has been under house arrest for a long time and then heads back to report to the UN. Then the US sends an envoy describing her style as a no nonsense approach. As of this writing the results of that effort are not known. What is known is the latest UN response to the Burmese crisis.

UN Envoy Warns Burma of Serious International Consequences
US Warns Of Sanctions If Burma Does Not Cooperate With International Community
Global Protests Against Burma off to Slow Start, but Burma Shows Conciliatory Signs

And as of October 7th, Crackdown Continues in Burma, Diplomatic Debate Rages Abroad
How lame and predictable is all of this?

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

crossposted at:
Maggie’s Notebook | Conservative Blog
FaultlineUSA
Conservative Thoughts
Reject the UN
Screw the UN

There is little that is more entertaining than to watch representatives of a state sponsor of terrorism like Iran act so innocent in light of previous statements that the holocaust never happened and they intend to destroy Israel. Not to mention the default Islamofascist creed bent on killing all infidels which also includes other Muslims they don’t like.

The sad part of the recent appearance of the Iranian President at Columbia University beyond the obvious was the number of closet liberals in the media tripping over themselves to attend a dinner with him. Not understanding that they may be the only ones in the world who actually believe their claim of doing it all in the name of journalism. So much so that their automatic defense of simply mentioning the first amendment is no longer presented with a supporting argument.

Whether the Iranian President was too busy trying to fool other audiences this week or simply bored with the easy prey in American media and academia, the second errand boy has made his presence known. The Iranian foreign minister is currently attempting to give foreign policy mentoring to the Whitehouse and State Department. The worn out complaint of American saber rattling coupled with a plea for cooperation rather than confrontation is another amateur ploy looking for a gullible audience.

With the advent of changing politics in France, the former opposition from the French as well as Germans, Russians and others at the United Nations may be altering course. A brief pause until November to put in place stronger sanctions against Iran on the nukes issue may be evidence of a difficult transition to pro American attitudes, the simple realization that Iran is an excessive risk with nukes or reluctance of some to agree with the US on Iran.

But the French Foreign Minister has annoyed Iran by hinting at the threat of war if they continue to act like Saddam on nukes. While he backpedaled slightly after tension was raised, Iran may be less sure than their words indicate when stating the US is not in a position to deal with them militarily. While some pundits claim air strikes against Iran are not a viable option and the out of control public comments on the Iraq war suggest the US is not prepared to put more boots on the ground anywhere, the options available may not be so limited. It is fair to say one reason Iran makes these claims is to convince themselves or their population that the US will not resort to air strikes. And changing attitudes toward Iran from other nations may be enough to convince Iran to comply with international demands.

And this post ends with a comment on an Iranian university inviting President Bush to attend a question and answer session. Presumably to reciprocate for the Columbia University fiasco. The White House Press Secretary Dana Perino indicated the invitation was not taken seriously. Let’s just say in addition to the nearly impossible security requirements there is no real upside to honoring such a request. It is doubtful minds would be changed and determining whether the invitation is based on genuine interest or merely another ploy of the Iranian government will not take place. But there is some humor in the story.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Says US Threats Not Helpful to Resolving Nuclear Issue
By Margaret Besheer
United Nations
03 October 2007
Besheer report - Download (mp3) 671k
Listen to Besheer report

Iran Summons French Diplomat To Protest Kouchner Comments
By VOA News
03 October 2007

Iranian University Invites Bush to Speak
By VOA News
02 October 2007

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com

crossposted at:
Reject the UN
Screw the UN

There are numerous methods of communication these days. Borrowing the common terms ‘instant’ and ‘messaging’ demonstrate in words what is possible. For business, government and consumer use each form of communication matches up with customary standards or protocols for formal and informal exchanges of dialogue or data transmission.

Does it occur to anyone else that the passing of two or three days since a representative from the United Nations arrived in Burma/Myanmar is more than enough time to produce a ’sit down’ between the rep and General Than Shwe? And if the UN rep is merely waiting for this General to agree to a discussion then it proves again nothing about the United Nations is united or serving a useful purpose. This would be the point in an interview where a spokesperson for the UN would tell the interviewer there are established guidelines for attempts at intervention. God knows the UN spends nearly all of its time and other people’s money issuing statements and generating documents of limited value like guidelines.

As far as a chronology of the UN ’senior envoy’ and his exploits in Burma over the last three days, reports from the VOA are a handy reference.

UN Envoy in Burma to Try to Mediate Burmese Protests
By Luis Ramirez Bangkok
29 September 2007
Ramirez report (mp3) - Download 697k
Listen to Ramirez report (mp3)

United Nations special envoy Ibrahim Gambari has arrived in Burma on what the U.N. secretary-general calls an “urgent mission” to broker negotiations between the military government and the pro-democracy opposition. VOA’s Luis Ramirez at our Southeast Asia bureau in Bangkok reports the visit comes as the army is tightening its control over demonstrations in the main city, Rangoon.

UN Envoy Meets With Aung San Suu Kyi and Military Junta
By Nancy-Amelia Collins Jakarta
30 September 2007
Collins report (mp3) - download 485K
Listen to Collins report (mp3)

The United Nation’s special envoy to Burma has met with detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi and with members of Burma’s ruling military junta to try to stop the its violent crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators. Ibrahim Gambari has extended his mission in Burma - canceling a planned flight to Singapore and vowing to meet with Burma’s top junta leader, Senior General Than Shwe. VOA’s Nancy-Amelia Collins in Jakarta has more.

UN Envoy Remains in Burma, Pledges to Meet With Top Junta Leader
By VOA News
01 October 2007

A senior United Nations envoy has extended his mission in Burma in the hopes of meeting the country’s top military leader, Senior General Than Shwe. Officials say Ibrahim Gambari has returned to Burma’s new capital, Naypyidaw, for the second time in three days to try to ease a deadly military crackdown on pro-democracy protesters.

This is exactly the type of incident that requires quick action to stop senseless killing in a country that has lost its ability to maintain any civil or military order without violence spiraling out of control. How many times must this scenario be repeated before members of the United Nations step up and proclaim a set of international rules to end a crisis like this shortly after it begins? Without any improvements in the process, each time an incident occurs its outcome will be no better than any previous one. There is no need for an organization that can do no better than this.

Stanford Matthews
MoreWhat.com