Posted on 08/07/2006 9:18:31 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
UNITED NATIONS - Israel's air raid on in the Lebanese town of Qana, which killed 28 people, may be part of a larger pattern of violations of international law in the war between Israel and Hezbollah, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said in a report Monday.
In that light, Annan said that the July 30 attack was sufficiently serious to merit a more comprehensive investigation.
The attack should be seen "in the broader context of what could be, based on preliminary information available to the United Nations ... a pattern of violations of international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law committed during the course of the current hostilities," Annan wrote.
The Security Council had asked Annan last week to report back on the circumstances of the attack, when it approved a statement expressing its "extreme shock and distress" at the bombing. It deplored the loss of civilian life in the conflict.
In the six-page report, Annan acknowledged requests from Lebanon, the League of Arab States and the Non-Aligned Movement for a full investigation. Yet the report said the seven days Annan was given were not nearly enough for such a task, particularly because the war has made getting to Qana difficult and U.N. observers weren't there when the attack occurred.
Initial accounts had said that some 56 people were killed in the attack. But the toll was later lowered by half. Of the 28 bodies pulled from the rubble, some 14 were children, Annan said.
Annan's report said the U.N. peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon, known by its acronym UNIFIL, could not confirm or deny Israel's contention that Hezbollah was launching attacks from Qana before the July 30 attack.
In a letter to Annan accompanying the report, Israel claimed Qana was Hezbollah's regional headquarters, contained weapons stockpiles, and was the site of 150 missile launches. The letter said Israel had repeatedly warned civilians in the town to clear out before it was bombed.
"Since the start of hostilities, Israelis in 150 population centers have faced unprecedented danger from a barrage of missiles and attacks emanating from areas such as Qana," said the letter, which was unsigned. "Like other operations, the goal of the Qana raid was to defend Israeli citizens."
The letter said Israel regrets civilian deaths in the conflict and does not target them intentionally. It accused Hezbollah of using civilians as human shields and intentionally targeting regular Israelis.
Israel's own inquiry into the Qana attack concluded that the bombing was a mistake and said the military would not have targeted the building had it known civilians were inside. However, it accused Hezbollah of using civilians as human shields.
Two letters from Lebanon — one from its U.N. mission and the other from its Foreign Ministry — said the Qana attack was one of several violations of humanitarian law Israel has committed during the fighting against Hezbollah.
The letter from the U.N. mission said that the civilians who remained in Qana, which had been bombarded heavily in the previous two weeks, either found escape blocked by destroyed roads and buildings, or were too old, sick or poor to leave.
That letter claimed that 62 people were killed and that Israel had presented no evidence showing Hezbollah was operating among them. The warnings Israel delivered do not absolve it of its humanitarian obligations, the letter said.
"In Qana, Israeli forces deliberately attacked the civilian population sheltering in an unadulterated residential area," the letter said. "This, without any doubt, represents a war crime committed against (the) civilian population not taking direct part in the hostilities."
The other Lebanese letter conformed with Annan's conclusion that 28 people were killed.
My hatred of this putrid organization grows by the day.
Kofi, you worthless bastard.
Good thing the League of Nations wasn't formed until after WWII. Can you imagine which side the UN would have taken during that war?????
Seems like they've forgotten to be proportional.
Translation= Hezbolla good
Jews are bad.
Why do we continue to work with this useless anti-semitic organization? I think we need a new reality show: East River Idol. You bring together the best promising architechural students and a group of developers like Donald Trump, determine the winner...they bulldoze the UN and send it packing to Geneva and put some nice upscale condos and parks on that sigh based on the architects plans.
Kofi is a real criminal. He should be in prison for the oil for food program. He obviously considers himself prosecutor, judge and jury. He is still the lackey of the anti semitic terrorist fascists who bribed him. When will his crimes be punished?
and waste of skin
g8 funding should be cut off. see how smart he is then
We need to get a petition drive to sh*tcan the UN.
Ditto.
UN= Pro Terrorist sympathizers.
Is Kofi Muslim?
how soon till this corrupt reptile is booted out of the UN?
It should be sent packing.
He's a "useless nuisance" and a "useless idiot."
December 31st is his official last day..
Been there, done that.
American Sovereignty Restoration Act of 2003 (Introduced in House)
HR 1146 IH
108th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1146
To end membership of the United States in the United Nations.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
March 6, 2003
Mr. PAUL introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on International Relations
A BILL
To end membership of the United States in the United Nations.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `American Sovereignty Restoration Act of 2003'.
SEC. 2. REPEAL OF UNITED NATIONS PARTICIPATION ACT.
(a) REPEAL- The United Nations Participation Act of 1945 (Public Law 79-264, 22 U.S.C. 287-287e) is repealed.
(b) TERMINATION OF PARTICIPATION IN UNITED NATIONS- The President shall terminate all participation by the United States in the United Nations, and any organ, specialized agency, commission, or other formally affiliated body of the United Nations.
(c) CLOSURE OF UNITED STATES MISSION TO UNITED NATIONS- The United States Mission to the United Nations is closed. Any remaining functions of such office shall not be carried out.
SEC. 3. REPEAL OF UNITED NATIONS HEADQUARTERS AGREEMENT ACT.
(a) REPEAL- The United Nations Headquarters Agreement Act (Public Law 80-357) is repealed.
(b) WITHDRAWAL- The United States withdraws from the agreement between the United States and the United Nations regarding the headquarters of the United Nations (signed at Lake Success, New York, on June 26, 1947, which was brought into effect by the United Nations Headquarters Agreement Act).
SEC. 4. UNITED STATES ASSESSED AND VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE UNITED NATIONS.
(a) TERMINATION- No funds are authorized to be appropriated or otherwise made available for assessed or voluntary contributions of the United States to the United Nations or any organ, specialized agency, commission or other formally affiliated body thereof, except that funds may be appropriated to facilitate withdrawal of United States personnel and equipment. Upon termination of United States membership, no payments shall be made to the United Nations or any organ, specialized agency, commission or other formally affiliated body thereof, out of any funds appropriated prior to such termination or out of any other funds available for such purposes.
(b) APPLICATION- The provisions of this section shall apply to all agencies of the United Nations, including independent or voluntary agencies.
SEC. 5. UNITED NATIONS PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS.
(a) TERMINATION- No funds are authorized to be appropriated or otherwise made available for any United States contribution to any United Nations military
operation. (b) TERMINATIONS OF UNITED STATES PARTICIPATION IN UNITED NATIONS PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS- No funds may be obligated or expended to support the participation of any member of the Armed Forces
of the United States as part of any United Nations military or peacekeeping operation or force. No member of the Armed Forces of the United States may serve under the command of the United Nations.
SEC. 6. WITHDRAWAL OF UNITED NATIONS PRESENCE IN FACILITIES OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES AND REPEAL OF DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY.
(a) WITHDRAWAL FROM UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PROPERTY- The United Nations (including any affiliated agency of the United Nations) shall not occupy or use any property or facility of the United States Government.
(b) DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY- No officer or employee of the United Nations or any representative, officer, or employee of any mission to the United Nations of any foreign government shall be entitled to enjoy the privileges and immunities of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of April 18, 1961, nor may any such privileges and immunities be extended to any such individual. The privileges, exemptions and immunities provided for in the International Organizations Immunities Act of December 29, 1945 (59 Stat. 669; 22 U.S.C. 288, 288a-f), or in any agreement or treaty to which the United States is a party, including the agreement entitled `Agreement Between the United Nations and the United States of America Regarding the Headquarters of the United Nations', signed June 26, 1947 (22 U.S.C. 287), and the Convention on Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, entered into force with respect to the United States on April 29, 1970, (21 UST 1418; TIAS 6900; UNTS 16), shall not apply to the United Nations or any organ, specialized agency, commission or other formally affiliated body thereof, to the officers and employees of the United Nations, or any organ, specialized agency, commission or other formally affiliated body thereof, or to the families, suites or servants of such officers or employees.
SEC. 7. REPEAL OF UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC, AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATION ACT.
The joint resolution entitled `A joint resolution providing for membership and participation by the United States in the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization, and authorizing an appropriation therefor' approved July 30, 1946 (Public Law 79-565, 22 U.S.C. 287m-287t), is repealed.
SEC. 8. REPEAL OF UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAM PARTICIPATION ACT OF 1973.
The United Nations Environment Program Participation Act of 1973 (22 U.S.C. 287 note) is repealed.
SEC. 9. REPEAL OF UNITED STATES PARTICIPATION IN THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION.
The joint resolution entitled `Joint Resolution providing for membership and participation by the United States in the World Health Organization and authorizing an appropriation therefor,' approved July 14, 1948 (22 U.S.C. 290, 290a-e-1) is repealed.
SEC. 10. REPEAL OF INVOLVEMENT IN UNITED NATIONS CONVENTIONS AND AGREEMENTS.
As of the date of the enactment of this Act, the United States will end any and all participation in any and all conventions and/or agreements with the United Nations and any organ, specialized agency, commission, or other formally affiliated body of the United Nations. Any remaining functions of such conventions and/or agreements shall not be carried out.
SEC. 11. REEMPLOYMENT WITH UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT AFTER SERVICE WITH AN INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION.
Nothing in this Act shall be construed to affect the rights of employees under subchapter IV of chapter 35 of title 5, United States Code, relating to reemployment after service with an international organization.
SEC. 12. NOTIFICATION.
Effective on the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall notify the United Nations and any organ, specialized agency, commission, or other formally affiliated body of the United Nations of the provisions of this Act.
SEC. 13. EFFECTIVE DATE.
Except as otherwise provided, this Act and the amendments made by this Act shall take effect 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act.
It came up for a vote. Wanna guess how it went?
This was a previous post of mine.
Ron Paul, did try to get us out of the un. Only 54 of the House went on the record agreeing to HR 1146.
54---yea Did not vote---12 Voted nay---369
actually i think hes just a part of the muslim anti americanism theme.
gotta remember hes from the third world who suggests commie redistribution of wealth from the haves to the have nots.
why should americans be bled for cash and technology after they paid for it?
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