Crudity is not “diplomacy” -- Samantha Power’s uncouth outburst at UNSC

United Nations
Geneva

 “Confrontation through rhetoric” is not “conducive to mutual trust” -- world leaders to Washington

Editing, commentary by Carolyn Bennett

United Security Council considers Ukraine with several country delegations speaking to the issue: Lithuania, France, Jordan, Luxembourg, Chile, Australia, Chad, United States, Republic of Korea, Argentina, Nigeria, China, Rwanda, and the United Kingdom.

T

he crudest, most undiplomatic behavior rises from U.S. officials who hold a permanent seat (with France, United Kingdom, Russian Federation, People’s Republic of China) on the undemocratic UN Security Council and undue influence over the inordinately powerful Council and over the whole body of the United Nations.

Ukraine
highlighted

August 28, 2014, at UNSC

SAMANTHA POWER (United States)

“Russia is not listening” … Instead of heeding the demands of the international community, the Russian Federation at every step has come before the Council to say “everything but the truth”. It has “manipulated, obfuscated, and outright lied”.  It is hard for me to imagine a cruder outburst from a so-called diplomat. 

Destroyed by
U.S. "Diplomats"
U.S. Foreign Relations
Policy and Practice

Samantha Power, who seems to have worked mostly as a journalist, was born in Ireland and raised in Ireland until she was nine.  Her parents immigrated to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1979. From 1993 to 1996, Power worked as a journalist, covering the Yugoslav Wars for U.S. News and World Report, The Boston Globe, The Economist, and The New Republic (in 2007 for Time Magazine).  In 2005 and 2006, Power worked in the office of U.S. Senator Barack Obama as a foreign policy fellow and during candidate Obama’s 2008 run for the U. S. presidency, Power was one of his senior foreign policy advisers. She resigned the position and left the Obama campaign after calling one of the other contenders for the presidency “a monster.”

UN Security Council
5 Permanent
Member States

The person she called a “monster” also has revealed herself to be crudely undiplomatic. And neither of these people should have been given positions for which they are not only unqualified and inadequately credentialed; but also are lacking in human sensibility and respect for other nations and leaders. Nevertheless Wikipedia describes Samantha Power as an “American academic, author and diplomat” now working as U. S. Ambassador to the United Nations.

America can do better than this; and the world, including the United States of America, deserves better. 

August 28, 2014 at UNSC

UN General Assembly
193
Member States

VITALY CHURKIN (Russian Federation)

The UN Security Council must remember, the Russian representative said, that “it was not designed to participate in guesswork or spread accusations, but rather was charged with finding a solution to the crisis.”   The proposed press statement on Ukraine’s crisis, Vitaly Churkin said, “should call for an inclusive political dialogue, while urging the international community to redouble its efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.”

In his statement, Vitaly Churkin wondered out loud what U. S. advisers were doing in Ukraine and questioned “how Ukrainian security forces had acquired such advanced weaponry.” He urged the international community to send a message to Washington

‘…to stop interfering in the internal activities of sovereign States and restrain your geopolitical ambition.’

August 28, 2014 at UNSC

CRISTIÁN BARROS MELET (Chile)

South America
Argentina
Chile

The Chilean representative called on all parties to cease combat immediately, respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and independence; and “whoever [are] those responsible for violations of human rights and the rule of law,” bring them “to justice.” 

Cristián Barros Melet called on all parties to seek a peaceful solution through political dialogue. Refrain from carrying out activities incompatible with the United Nations Charter. And unless authorized by the Ukrainian government, withdraw all foreign troops from Ukraine.

August 28, 2014 at UNSC

MARÍA CRISTINA PERCEVAL (Argentina)

The Argentine representative also pointed to “the primary responsibility of the UN Security Council to maintain peace and security.”

María Cristina Perceval urged that “actors with the greatest influence” should “use constructive diplomacy and bring the parties to a constructive dialogue.” She urged UNSC members “to avoid confrontation through rhetoric.” 

August 28, 2014 at UNSC

WANG MIN (China)

People's Republic of China

The People’s Republic of China noted two imperatives.

All parties should make “good use of various mechanisms for dialogue” and all parties should act “in a manner that is conducive to mutual trust.”

  

August 29, 2014

RUSSIA TODAY reports

The Russian Federation’s proposed text on the Ukrainian crisis had substance but was met with hostility. The statement expressed serious concerns about the deteriorating situation in south-eastern Ukraine. It called for ‘immediate and unconditional ceasefire’ and the start of a dialogue ‘based on the Geneva Declaration of 17 April 2014 and the Joint Berlin Declaration of July 2, 2014’. It also called attention to the need to ‘multiply efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to the population of the Donetsk and Lugansk regions of Ukraine.’ However, under a frivolous pretext, the Russian delegation statement calling for a ceasefire in eastern Ukraine was blocked at the UNSC. Russia’s UN envoy Vitaly Churkin reportedly tells Itar-Tass:

Russian Federation

‘The Russian delegation’s proposal on declaration of a ceasefire was blocked under a frivolous pretext … The Security Council as a result of destructive efforts of a number of its members was unable to play its role in resolving the Ukrainian crisis.’

The Russians repeatedly drew attention to the casualties resulting from continued violence. More than 2,000 people reportedly have died in this conflict and the casualties are rising “exponentially,” Churkin said. But the fallout does not stop there: as is happening across the Middle East and so across the Mediterranean, homelessness, displacement, refugees are rising. “Russia,” the RT report says, “is on the receiving end of the crisis.” In addition to feeding and caring for Ukrainian military personnel, Russia is “handling over 814,000 refugees.”

Commonwealth of
Independent States
(CIS)

Appealing as brethren and neighbors, Vitaly Churkin reportedly says to Oleksandr Pavlichenko, Ukraine’s deputy representative to the United Nations, “Unlike Western governments, ‘you and I know our region’ and understand the ‘close relations’ between the two countries.’” Churkin went on to reflect that

any Western advisers who pushed Ukraine into demanding that separatists lay down their weapons ‘either did not understand what they were doing or they were just provocateurs seeking to completely destabilize the situation in Ukraine and to spite Russia.’

T

he American response, however, continued in the character of deliberate ignorance, insult, condescension, lecturing; fueling conflict by driving divisions among people and states, supplying and supporting lethal weaponry,  personnel and hostile forces; and expanding sanctions warfare against peoples and nations right across eastern Europe, Asia and Africa, with ricochet, negative consequences, right round the world. The practice and policy of U. S. foreign relations in the face of the world is boorish, criminally inept, and unconscionable.

U.S. Foreign Relations
Model
Violence
Hostility

Believing that one nation is right in whatever it does or says, believing that its leaders and/or other officials are all-knowing or know what is best for the world is lunacy. When large numbers of people, whether national leaders, populaces, or masses accept such lunacy -- we create and sustain a dangerous state of world and domestic affairs wherein no nation or people are safe or free. 

Sources and notes

GUARANTEE FRAMEWORK FOR UKRAINE: "Both sides must do their bit", http://www.bundesregierung.de/Content/EN/Reiseberichte/2014/2014-08-23-merkel-kiew_en.html;jsessionid=7546BB2C1DAC5AC3EE3D4856A6473AD2.s4t2

Security Council, SC/11541, Department of Public Information • News and Media Division • New York, Security Council, 7253rd Meeting (PM): SENIOR OFFICIAL WARNS SECURITY COUNCIL OF DANGEROUS ESCALATION IN UKRAINE, CITING ‘DEEPLY ALARMING REPORTS OF RUSSIAN MILITARY INVOLVEMENT’ -- Members Urge Parties to Seek Diplomatic Solutions, August 28, 2014,  

The representative of the Russian Federation said everyone knew there were Russian volunteers in eastern Ukraine; no one was hiding that.  He urged other countries also to be transparent, questioning what United States advisers were doing in Ukraine and how Ukrainian security forces had acquired such advanced weaponry.

Speaking on August 28, 2014, were representatives of Lithuania, France, Jordan, Luxembourg, Chile, Australia, Chad, United States, Republic of Korea, Argentina, Nigeria, China, Rwanda, and the United Kingdom.

http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2014/sc11541.doc.htm

Samantha Power, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samantha_Power

“Russia-suggested statement on Ukraine ceasefire blocked at UNSC under ‘frivolous pretext’,” published time: August 29, 2014 02:12 ; edited time: August 29, 2014 02:50 Get short URL

http://rt.com/news/183512-security-council-ukraine-russia/

“Russia Say West Doesn’t Understand Its ‘Close Relations’ With Ukraine,” by Anna Dolgov, August 29, 2014 13:15 Last edited 13:16, http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/russia-say-west-doesn-t-understand-its-close-relations-with-ukraine-anna-dolgov/506123.html

Also:

Obama Says Russia’s ‘Invasion’ of Ukraine Not a Shift,” http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/russia-say-west-doesn-t-understand-its-close-relations-with-ukraine-anna-dolgov/506123.html

“Corridor: Putin calls on Ukraine militia to let out surrounded Kiev troops,” published time: August 28, 2014 21:21, edited time: August 29, 2014 07:29, http://rt.com/news/183520-ukraine-russia-putin-militia/

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Bennett's books are available in New York State independent bookstores: Lift Bridge Bookshop: www.liftbridgebooks.com [Brockport, NY]; Sundance Books: http://www.sundancebooks.com/main.html [Geneseo, NY]; Mood Makers Books: www.moodmakersbooks.com [City of Rochester, NY]; Dog Ears Bookstore and Literary Arts Center: www.enlightenthedog.org/ [Buffalo, NY]; Burlingham Books – ‘Your Local Chapter’: http://burlinghambooks.com/ [Perry, NY 14530]; The Bookworm: http://www.eabookworm.com/ [East Aurora, NY] • See also: World Pulse: Global Issues through the eyes of Women: http://www.worldpulse.com/ http://www.worldpulse.com/pulsewire http://www.facebook.com/#!/bennetts2ndstudy

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Orchestrators of crisis call them "uncivilized" ─ West v. East

U.S. Korean Peninsula to 

U.S. Syrian Mediterranean: Diplomacy among "equals" imperative

Editing, comment by 

Carolyn Bennett 

Whose weapons: who sought, who bought, who sold 

Whose chemical attack 

Whose provocation, prosecution of endless conflict, war 

Who benefits 

Not covered in western news sources but reported by FARS News Agency is a “militant” group in phone conversation with a Saudi financier about obtaining and having used chemical weapons against the government of Syria.

The ‘international community” (whatever that means, clearly a discredited lot) is again calling for an investigation of chemical weapons use; but before such an investigation can be undertaken, let alone an independent query into the question of chemical weapons’ use ─  western government officials who dominate and run roughshod over the UN Security Council (France, United States, England) are pushing for added foreign force (violence) in further breach of Syria’s sovereignty and the rights of its government and people.

West’s preemption

French Empire

Leaping into preemptive warfare, “France’s Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said on Thursday that the international community should respond with force if allegations that the Syrian government used chemical weapons in a deadly attack on the outskirts of the capital Damascus are confirmed: ‘There would have to be reaction with force in Syria from the international community, but there is no question of sending troops on the ground.’”

Britain’s Foreign Secretary William Hague had the temerity to talk about “civilized,” conveniently forgetting Britain’s and the west’s centuries-old penchant for and practice of repeated and sustained barbarism.

Saying it is “not something that a humane or civilized world can ignore,” Hague, without a scintilla of evidence, made a charge, threatened and imposed sentence, saying he believed “President Assad was behind a chemical attack in Syria” and that “the UK would be ready to go back to the United Nations Security Council to secure a stronger mandate ‘for the world to speak together more forcefully about this’ if there was no movement over the next few days.”

East’s opposition to preemption, call for impartiality

 

China’s Foreign Ministry yesterday issued a statement from Beijing “resolutely opposing” the use of chemical weapons in Syria and calling for impartiality.  

As ‘the UN chemical weapons inspection team for Syria is on the ground beginning its investigations, [China] hopes that the team fully consults with the Syrian government and ─

…maintains an objective, impartial and professional stance, to ascertain what really happened.

Russia opposes further propaganda targeting the Syrian government [Serious charges]

“Against the background of another anti-Syrian wave of propaganda, we believe calls from some European countries to apply pressure on the UN Security Council and already now take a decision on the use of force are unacceptable.” Evidence is mounting that ─

 …the attack was ‘clearly provocative in nature’; and

…footage posted online claiming to incriminate the Syrian regime had been posted before the chemical attack took place.

[And insurgents] are ‘directly impeding an objective investigation’ of the incident. [Today’s statement by the Russian Foreign Ministry]

Reports of an alleged attack were conveniently issued just as a UN chemical weapons inspection team arrived in Syria. And in the response statement of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Alexander Lukashevich said, “[this makes] us think that we are once again dealing with a premeditated provocation.”

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov had confirmed in July “that

On March 19, the foreign-backed Takfiri militants had used chemical weapons in the region of Khan al-Assal.

More than two dozen people died in the attack including 16 Syrian soldiers.

Speaking to FARS News Agency (FNA) in March, Tehran’s Envoy to Rome Seyed Mohammad Ali Hosseini called for rapid termination of foreign funding and arming of Syrian “rebel” groups and cautioned that continuation of such support would result in “spillover”: from the Syrian crisis into regional countries’

crises. Hosseini said:

Termination of financial and arms support by foreign parties for extremist and terrorist groups are the first and most important provisions for obtaining results in Syria.

Countries that are supporting these groups should know that if they maintain the present policy, unrests will spill over into their countries.

As Kofi Annan had said months ago, Hosseini repeated, that the crisis in Syria needs a “political not military” solution and that “opposition groups and the Syrian government should hold talks and find a way to end the crisis.” But there is rub.

   

UN Security Council

Chronic western obstructionism

 

On the question of chemical weapons, investigation, and obstructionism, former diplomat Vyacheslav Matuza told Press TV back in March that the United States does not want either a “real investigation” or a “political solution.”

UN General Assembly

They don’t like a real solution to the Syrian crisis. 

They are trying to achieve their egoistic political goals in the Middle East … and reaching compromise through any political solution … will be very difficult for all those who are trying to push Syrian crisis from military content to political dialogue between Syrian political sides.

U.S.
Expansionism
Obstructionism
Over-reach
Orchestrator of
incessant conflict

…The questions of the stalled investigation and the use of chemical weapons in Syria by opposition military groups obviously reflect “the stance of the United States relative to the Syrian crisis as a whole ─ because the United States is using the Syrian crisis for political purposes, not for people’s right to democracy …

U.S. UK
Allies in
global violence
barbarism

“This reflects a global approach of the United States,” Matuza said, “to the developments in the Middle East in different areas ─ regions in the Arab World, in North Africa, in Iran, in Afghanistan, in Middle Asia…

If they want democracy, if they want the rights of the people, to provide rights for people, to develop political developments, they should respond positively on the Syrian government’s making its case.

Diplomacy of equals

Political analyst Dr. Kevin Barrett in April was talking about the U. S. foreign relations with the Korean Peninsula but what he said speaks to U.S. foreign relations all over the world.

He told Press TV that we must “get out of this mindset that the U.S. Empire and its partners play by one set of the rules”; and everybody has to obey the U.S. and its partners. The “obvious solution,” he said, “is for international law and diplomacy to be invoked among equals.

“We need to have real diplomacy, which means discussions between equals; and, ultimately, the United States has to tell North Korea that ─

…we are going to get out of your neighborhood and let you (the Koreas) settle between yourselves the issue of how to re-unite North and South Korea.

T

hat critical idea bears repeating: We need to have real diplomacy: discussions between and among equals. Ditto: U.S. relations with Syria and Lebanon and the Occupied Territories, Afghanistan and Pakistan, Libya and Somalia, Bahrain and Yemen, Iraq and Iran, the United States generally with Arab and Muslim populations.

 

Is that too much to ask? 

Only with uncorrupt and uncompromised, truly progressive leaders in the west and in the United Nations (fix the UN Security Council’s composition and its structural power relation with the UN General Assembly) can we expect truly progressive thought and action in world relations: a philosophy of  and penchant for coexistence, conflict resolution without barbarism (east or west, north or south) but with nonviolence and mutual respect seeking understanding of difference.

Sources and notes

“France urges ‘force’ if Syria chemical attack confirmed, August 22, 2013,

http://www.france24.com/en/20130822-france-calls-force-syria-chemical-weapons-attack-confirmed

“William Hague believes Assad behind chemical attack ─ UK Foreign Secretary William Hague: ‘It seems the Assad regime has something to hide’: UK Foreign Secretary William Hague says he believes President Assad was behind a chemical attack in Syria, “http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-23812398

“Russia slams 'unacceptable' calls to use force in Syria,” August 23, 2013, http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2013/08/23/320107/russia-slams-calls-to-use-force-in-syria/

Russian Foreign Ministry said evidence was mounting that the attack was "clearly provocative in nature" and that footage posted online claiming to incriminate the Syrian regime had been posted before the chemical attack took place. It also accused the insurgents of "directly impeding an objective investigation" of the incident."

“China calls for ‘objective’ UN investigation in Syria,” August 23, 2013, http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2013/08/23/320019/china-urges-objective-probe-in-syria/

“Syria opposition preventing chemical attack probe: Russia,” August 23, 2013,

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2013/08/23/320110/syria-militants-preventing-chem-probe/

On Wednesday, Syria’s opposition claimed that hundreds [had been] killed in a government chemical attack on militant strongholds in Damascus suburbs of Ain Tarma, Zamalka and Jobar before dawn. George Sabra, head of the “Syria’s opposition National Coalition, told reporters in Istanbul that more than 1,300 people were killed in the alleged attack.

“The Syrian army has vehemently denied allegations that it used chemical weapons against Takfiri militants in the suburbs of the Ghouta region, saying the accusations were fabricated to distract the visiting team of UN chemical weapons experts [the an investigating team that arrived in Syria on Sunday] and to cover up militant losses.

“Two Phone Calls Reveal Use of Chemical Weapons in Syria's Homs by Rebels,” August 23, 2013, http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13920601000443

TEHRAN (FNA) - A phone call between a militant affiliated to the so-called ‘Shuhada al-Bayada Battalion’ in Homs and his boss, called Adulbasit from Saudi Arabia, uncovered that antigovernment fighters used the chemical weapons in Deir Ballba in Homs countryside. During a phone call broadcast on the Syrian TV Channel, the militant said that his group which comprises 200 terrorists escaped from al-Bayadah to al-Daar al-Kabera through a tunnel, adding that they needed to buy weapons to attack the City of Homs, the Syrian Arab News Agency reported.

[Also] During the phone conversation, the Saudi financier who was in Cairo admitted to extending support for the rebels in Daraa and Damascus Countryside and asked the militant about details on his group and the way they intended to receive the money. In response, the militant said that one of the achievements of his ‘Battalion’ was the successful use of chemical weapons in Deir Ballba. 

“Diplomat Warns of Spillover of Syrian Crisis,” March 26, 2013, FARS News Agency.

“U.S. doesn’t seek political solution to Syria crisis: Vyacheslav Matuza,” March 22, 2013, http://familysurvivalprotocol.com/2013/03/26/warnings-of-syrian-crisis-spilling-over-to-bordering-countries-it-doesnt-seem-to-be-a-major-concern-for-those-countries-who-continue-to-aid-the-opposition-yes-the-al-qaeda-connection/

Vyacheslav Matuza is a former councilor of the Russian Embassy in Washington.

“U.S. arrogance endangers Koreas, pushes world towards destruction: Dr. Barrett,” April 6, 2013, http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2013/04/06/296832/us-pushes-world-towards-destruction/

Dr. Kevin Barrett is an author and political commentator

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Bennett's books are available in New York State independent bookstores: Lift Bridge Bookshop: www.liftbridgebooks.com [Brockport, NY]; Sundance Books: http://www.sundancebooks.com/main.html [Geneseo, NY]; Mood Makers Books: www.moodmakersbooks.com [City of Rochester, NY]; Dog Ears Bookstore and Literary Arts Center: www.enlightenthedog.org/ [Buffalo, NY]; Burlingham Books – ‘Your Local Chapter’: http://burlinghambooks.com/ [Perry, NY 14530]; The Bookworm: http://www.eabookworm.com/ [East Aurora, NY] • See also: World Pulse: Global Issues through the eyes of Women: http://www.worldpulse.com/ http://www.worldpulse.com/pulsewire http://www.facebook.com/#!/bennetts2ndstudy

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Human Rights debate at 67th UN session ─ Syrian, Palestinian concerns

UN General Assembly

Restore UN legitimacy on human rights, equality, nonviolence and peace, justice

End double standards and duplicity ● End occupation ● End violence ● End impunity ● Uphold rule of international laws and conventions

Excerpting, editing by 

Carolyn Bennett

Situation in Palestine, other occupied Arab territories

 Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights KYUNG-WHA KANG presented Secretary-General’s report on progress made in the implementation of recommendations of the Fact-Finding Mission on the Gaza conflict:

Respecting human rights and international humanitarian law obligations means perpetrators are brought to justice requiring independent, impartial, thorough, effective and prompt investigations and fair trials that meet international standards.

Penalties commensurate with the crimes are required.

There is a need to ensure accountability for violations of human rights and international humanitarian law throughout the occupied Palestinian territory [and] bring to justice Israeli settlers who perpetrate violence against Palestinians and their property.

Palestine
Middle East Region

CONCERNED COUNTRIES

[emphases]

Palestine:

End occupation

“…Israel continues the occupation of the Palestine territories and the violations of international human rights law, international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions, as well as the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice concerning the construction of the wall.

“International law and in particular the Fourth Geneva Convention must apply in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and in East Jerusalem.

“Occupation [is] the main cause of the suffering of the Palestine people and the pursuit of the policies of Israel violates the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people. …

“Palestine [calls] on the international community to tackle the issue through the United Nations agencies, laws, rules and resolutions that govern the work of the United Nations.”

Syria:

Breach of law, Arabs suffer under occupation

Women for Human Rights

“…Despite numerous resolutions, Israel (the country of impunity), [believing itself] above the law, continues to flout resolutions by the international community.

“Israel continues to abuse human rights and ignore its responsibilities with regard to torture, inhuman and degrading treatment of prisoners, and other basic rights such as the right to education and the right to health of the population in the occupied territories. Israel also continues to deprive the inhabitants of the right to justice, access to courts and redress.

“Syrian prisoners continued to suffer from inhuman and unjust imprisonment.”

Syria challenged Israel to “withdraw from all Arab occupied territories on the bases of the Madrid Conference and all relevant United Nations resolutions; [and stressed] the need for a fact-finding mission in order to assess the situation of Israeli settlements.”

Further, Syria called for Israel to “release all prisoners and detainees and respect its obligations under the Geneva Conventions and [to allow access] of the International Committee of the Red Cross to supervise the conditions of detainees.…

Eleanor Roosevelt and
Universal Declaration of  Human Rights
1947

“Israel cannot remain above international law and accountability nor continue to enjoy impunity.”

Imbalance, inequality: 193 nations comprise the UN General Assembly.  

THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL ALONE (5 permanent member nations) has power to make decisions member states are obligated under the charter to carry out.

Today outside the Human Rights debates and General Assembly sessions, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad renewed his country’s call “for reforms in the structure of the United Nations.” According to Press TV, Ahmadinejad said in a meeting on the sidelines with Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

Effective steps must be taken toward reforming the structure of the UN in order to establish a democratic and fair framework in this organization.

United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

All subject to
Rule of Law
ICC facade

DEBATE: Human Rights Situation in Palestine, Other Occupied Arab Territories

[emphases]

Failure of International Community

Venezuela:

“…The human rights situation in Palestine and the Occupied Arab Territories has not been resolved in over 60 years.

“For over 40 years, Palestinians have been suffering the consequences of occupation.

193-Member States
UN General Assembly 

“The UN Security Council approach has led to double standards and duplicity, which entails the violation of international law.

Venezuela reaffirmed its condemnation of “the use of force against civilians, the blockade of the Gaza strip and the continuation of settlement activities to the detriment of the enjoyment of rights of the Palestinian population.”

South Africa:

 “… The [UN Security] Council has yet to live up to its mandate to protect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the Palestinian people.

5 permanent member states
UN Security Council(China, France, Russian Federation,
the United Kingdom, the United States) 

“[While] Palestinian and Israeli non-governmental organizations have continued to document and report publicly on violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, in contrast [there has been] deafening silence and lack of action in the [UN Security] Council.”

Iceland:

Without urgent action, Gaza “no longer livable in 2020”

“…The on-going conflict and occupation represent a failure of the international community to bring about the change that the Palestinian people deserve.”

Algeria:

 Israel’s continued failure “to cooperate and implement relevant United Nations resolutions, continued imposition of a maritime blockade in defiance of international law [leaves] to the international community [the responsibility] to take measures to bring the occupying force in line with resolutions, including those by the UN Security Council, and those stemming from the work of the Fact-Finding Mission on the Gaza conflict.”

Challenges to end Impunity

 

Union of Arab Jurists:

Most serious of violations by Israel: the suffering of Palestinian children imprisoned in Israeli prisons

“Even though the decision of Israel to impose its law on the occupied Syrian Golan has been declared illegitimate by the United Nations, Israeli occupation has been forcibly displacing Syrians and constructing illegal settlements in clear violation of international law.”

Defense for Children International:

Fishing boats with children aboard

Since January 2011, 12 incidents involved children “in fishing boats intercepted by Israeli patrol boats off the coast of Gaza. [While fishing], the fishermen had reportedly been harassed and humiliated by Israeli patrol boats, had been fired upon, sprayed with water cannons, detained and interrogated without any legitimate reason.”

DCI challenged Israel “to respect rights to fish off the coast of Gaza” and refrain from interrogating fishermen “in violation of its international obligations.”

Norwegian Refugee Council:

Israel’s “Cast Lead”-caused displacement of 15,700

“… [More than] 4,000 people in Gaza have been displaced three times or more due to their inability to reconstruct their homes. During the same [Cast Lead 15,700] operation, 3,481 homes were destroyed or severely damaged. Since the end of the campaign, an additional 1,753 houses have been destroyed.”

Maryam Ghasemi Educational Charity Institute:

Cleansing East Jerusalem

“Israel’s discriminatory policy in East Jerusalem ─ including the suspension of permits and other strategic tactics aimed at reducing the number of Palestinians living there ─ violates the basic rights of Palestinian residents.

Noting consequences of the Israeli State’s making Palestinian people stateless, the Institute challenged the UN Security Council “to make Israel observe its international commitments.”

Iran:

5 permanent member states
UN Security Council(China, France, Russian Federation,
the United Kingdom, the United States) 

“More than known to the international community … [are] the depth and expanse of gross and systematic violations of human rights of the Palestinian people by the Israeli regime in total defiance of international law, numerous United Nations resolutions, and human rights principles.  

“It is high time for the Council to more effectively defend the human rights of the Palestinian people and adopt a firm position and urge the international community to counter the [Israeli] regime’s policies and practices against the defenseless Palestinians.”

Maldives:

Climate of impunity in Occupied Territories

“Human rights continued to be denied. Disproportionate use of force, administrative detentions without prosecution, cruel and harsh treatment of detainees, deliberate destruction of infrastructure, and growing illegal settlements persisted.”

Maldives challenged the UN Security Council to maintain focus “on the plight of the people in the occupied Arab territories, particularly in the face Israel’s deliberate lack of cooperation, which makes a mockery of the Council.

“The culture of impunity should end.”

UN Member States’ convening peace

Cuba:

Israel’s persistence in flouting decisions of the UNSC, other UN system bodies

“…Decisions of the Council remain applicable and have to be urgently implemented. The Palestinian nation continues to be deprived of its most basic rights ─ including the right to self-determination ─ and is subjected to such living conditions that it might disappear altogether.”

Cuba reaffirmed its support of “the right of Palestine to become a fully-fledged member of the United Nations.”

Russia:

Israel must cooperate; all force must cease

Noting with alarm the crisis and increasing instability in the region, rising “acts of violence carried out by Israeli settlers against Palestinians and their property, [Russia] condemned acts of terrorism” and challenged “all actors in the conflict to refrain from using force.”

Pointing to Israel in particular, Russia challenged it “to review its decision of refusing to cooperate with the UN Security Council, and to comply with its responsibilities as an occupying force, including the implementation of relevant United Nations resolutions.”  Once negotiations have resumed, Russia says it will convene, as its contribution, “a Moscow Summit on Middle East Peace.”

Sources and notes

“Council holds general debate on situation in Palestine and other occupied Arab territories,” MORNING, September 24, 2012, The Council has before it the report of the Secretary-General on the progress made in the implementation of the recommendations of the Fact-Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict A/HRC/21/33, United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=12571&LangID=E

Dr. Kyung-wha Kang

Deputy High Commissioner Kyung-wha Kang has been Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights since September 15, 2007.  Her appointment is at the level of Assistant Secretary-General.

Before joining the United Nations, Kyung-wha Kang, a national of the Republic of Korea, was Ambassador for Multilateral Affairs and Director-General of International Organizations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Republic. She also served at the Republic of Korea Mission to the United Nations in New York and chaired the Commission on the Status of Women for its 48th and 49th sessions in 2004 and 2005.

Before joining the Foreign Service in 1998, Kang worked for the National Parliament of the Republic of Korea, assisting the Speaker of the National Assembly in the fields of human rights, women’s advancement and parliamentary diplomacy. She also worked with a number of women’s organizations in Korea, including the Korean National Council of Women, which gave her the ‘2006 Women of the Year’ Award; the Korean Association of University Women and the Korean Institute of Women and Politics. Earlier in her career, she worked for the Korean Broadcasting System, producing current affairs and cultural programs for the Radio Korea International and later as English news writer/caster for bi-lingual television news. She lectured and researched in universities in Korea and the United States.

Kyung-wha Kang is a graduate of Yonsei University/South Korea (BA in political sciences and diplomacy); and the University of Massachusetts-Amherst/USA (MA in mass communication, Ph.D. in intercultural communication. She was born April 7, 1955, in Seoul, Korea.

http://www.ohchr.org/EN/aboutUs/Pages/DeputyhighComm

UN SECURITY COUNCIL

Membership in 2012

The Council is composed of five permanent members (China, France, Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States) and ten non-permanent members (with year of term’s end):


Colombia (2012)
Germany (2012)
India (2012)
Portugal (2012)
South Africa (2012)

Azerbaijan (2013)
Guatemala (2013)
Morocco (2013)
Pakistan (2013)
Togo (2013)

The General Assembly elected Azerbaijan, Guatemala, Morocco, Pakistan and Togo to serve as non-permanent members of the Security Council for two-year terms starting on 1 January 2012. The newly elected countries will replace Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Gabon, Lebanon and Nigeria.

About the Council

THE COUNCIL ALONE HAS THE POWER TO TAKE DECISIONS WHICH MEMBER STATES ARE OBLIGATED UNDER THE CHARTER TO CARRY OUT.

The Presidency of the Security Council is held in turn by the members of the Security Council in the English alphabetical order of their names. Each President holds office for one calendar month.

Ten non-permanent members are elected by the General Assembly for two-year terms and not eligible for immediate re-election.

The number of non-permanent members was increased from six to ten by an amendment of the Charter which came into force in 1965.

Each Council member has one vote. Decisions on procedural matters are made by an affirmative vote of at least nine of the 15 members. Decisions on substantive matters require nine votes, including the concurring votes of all five permanent members. This is the rule of "great Power unanimity", often referred to as the ‘veto’ power.

Under the Charter, all Members of the United Nations agree to accept and carry out the decisions of the Security Council.

While other organs of the United Nations make recommendations to Governments, the Council alone has the power to take decisions which Member States are obligated under the Charter to carry out.

http://www.un.org/sc/members.asp

http://www.un.org/en/ga/about/index.shtml

http://www.un.org/en/ga/president/67/

http://www.un.org/en/members/

“Iran president renews calls for restructuring of UN,” September 24, 2012,

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2012/09/24/263282/iran-president-calls-for-un-restructuring/

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Bennett's books are available in New York State independent bookstores: Lift Bridge Bookshop: www.liftbridgebooks.com [Brockport, NY]; Sundance Books: http://www.sundancebooks.com/main.html [Geneseo, NY]; Mood Makers Books: www.moodmakersbooks.com [City of Rochester, NY]; Dog Ears Bookstore and Literary Arts Center: www.enlightenthedog.org/ [Buffalo, NY]; Burlingham Books – ‘Your Local Chapter’: http://burlinghambooks.com/ [Perry, NY 14530]; The Bookworm: http://www.eabookworm.com/ [East Aurora, NY] • See also: World Pulse: Global Issues through the eyes of Women: http://www.worldpulse.com/ http://www.worldpulse.com/pulsewire http://www.facebook.com/#!/bennetts2ndstudy
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Not every UN nation locked step

Re-reporting, editing, comment by Carolyn Bennett

Military action in Libya is ill conceived, said German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

“Risks and dangers of a military intervention in Libya are too great,” said German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle.

“We will not take part with German soldiers in such a military combat mission in Libya,” Westerwelle said.

In another act of madness, the United Nations Security Council — dominated and browbeat by the imperial West [U.S.-Britain-France] — has acted to compound acts of violence and migration pressures on the Libyan people and to further inflame and destabilize the Mediterranean region.

Ten ayes on the UN Security Council yesterday adopted a resolution authorizing force against the people of Libya. As with Iraq and Saddam Hussein, the thought, if accurately this can be called "thought," is to kill the Libyans to stop Colonel Muammar Al- Qaddafi, their president, from killing them. However, China, Russia, Brazil, Germany and India refused to join the madness.

The current UN Security Council is made up of powerful China, France, Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States, permanent members; and virtually powerless Bosnia and Herzegovina (2011), Germany (2012), Portugal (2012), Brazil (2011), India (2012), South Africa (2012), Colombia (2012) Lebanon (2011), Gabon (2011), Nigeria (2011), non-permanent members.

“We oppose the use of force in international relations and have some serious reservations with part of the resolution,” said China’s Foreign Ministry representative Jiang Yu.

“The current crisis in Libya,” she said, “should be resolved through dialogue and by other peaceful means.”

In a press conference on Tuesday before the UNSC vote, the Chinese foreign minister said, “We believe the internal affairs of Libya should be decided independently by the Libyan people themselves; and that the international community [should] push relevant parties in Libya to settle the current crisis through dialogue and other peaceful means.”

Westerwelle takes the last word: “We remain eminently skeptical on the option of military intervention.”

Sources and notes

“German troops will not take part in any military intervention in Libya as there are ‘considerable risks and dangers,’ Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said Friday, after Berlin abstained in the UN vote to impose a no-fly zone. ‘We remain eminently skeptical on the option of military intervention... anticipated in this resolution. We see in it considerable risks and dangers. That is why we could not approve this part of the text,’ a statement said,” March 18, 2011,  http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,14922018,00.html

“Security Council authorizes ‘all necessary measures’ to protect civilians in Libya,” March 17, 2011,

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=37808&Cr=libya&Cr1=

“UN no-fly zone over Libya draws mixed world reaction,” March 18, 2011, http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-03/18/c_13786704.htm

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Jiang Yu’s Regular Press Conference on March 15, 2011 — On the afternoon of March 15, 2011, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Jiang Yu held a regular press conference,

http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/xwfw/s2510/2511/t807669.htm

UN SECURITY COUNCIL 2011 — Membership in 2011

The Council is composed of five permanent members — China, France, Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States — and ten non-permanent members (with year of term's end):

Bosnia and Herzegovina (2011) Germany (2012) Portugal (2012)

Brazil (2011)

 India (2012) South Africa (2012)

Colombia (2012) Lebanon (2011)  

Gabon (2011) Nigeria (2011)  

The General Assembly elected Colombia, Germany, India, Portugal and South Africa to serve as non-permanent members of the Security Council for two-year terms starting on January 1, 2011. The newly elected countries have replaced Austria, Japan, Mexico, Turkey and Uganda, http://www.un.org/sc/members.asp

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Bennett's books available in New York State independent bookstores: Lift Bridge Bookshop: www.liftbridgebooks.com [Brockport, NY]; Sundance Books: http://www.sundancebooks.com/main.html [Geneseo, NY]; The Book Den, Ltd.: BookDenLtd@frontiernet.net [Danville, NY]; Talking Leaves Books-Elmwood: talking.leaves.elmwood@gmail.com [Buffalo, NY]; Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza: http://www.bhny.com/ [Albany, NY]; Mood Makers Books: www.moodmakersbooks.com [City of Rochester, NY]; Dog Ears Bookstore and Literary Arts Center: www.enlightenthedog.org/ [Buffalo, NY]; Burlingham Books – ‘Your Local Chapter’: http://burlinghambooks.com/ [Perry, NY 14530]; The Bookworm: http://www.eabookworm.com/ [East Aurora, NY]; LONGS’ Cards and Books: http://longscardsandbooks.com/ [Penn Yan, NY]

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