Russia, China Call for Reforms at United Nations

Reuters ^ | 5/28/03 | Andrei Shukshin

[Mark Felton]

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia and China called on Thursday for reform of the United Nations to uphold its pivotal role in world affairs.

Both countries are permanent veto-wielding members of the U.N. Security Council, the organization's decision-making body circumvented by the U.S. decision to go to war in Iraq without explicit U.N. backing.

Moscow and Beijing restated their commitment to the world body at a meeting of presidents from the six nations of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, which also includes four ex-Soviet states in Central Asia.

"The United Nations can and should be reformed in line with the rapidly changing situation in the world, priority being given to the need to solve in an effective way the problems of world politics and security," a post-summit declaration said.

No specifics were given in the statement. But heads of state, including Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Hu Jintao, stressed they wanted to see the U.N. Security Council preserve its key position.

"It is fundamental to recognize the important role of the United Nations and the U.N. Security Council in solving major international problems," the document said.

The Iraq crisis has given new impetus to a longstanding debate on U.N. reform. Many countries have called for the Council to be expanded and for its powers to be altered.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organization was set up in 1996 to solve Soviet-era border disputes, but has since switched its focus to combating Islamic militants and is also eyeing closer economic cooperation.

The six leaders hailed the meeting as a step toward turning their grouping into an effective body.

Diplomats say the group had an unstated aim to offset U.S. influence in Central Asia, but that has been undermined by the U.S. military presence in two member-states -- Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan -- since the September 11, 2001 attacks.

The summit, in the Kremlin's Grand Palace, took place a day after Moscow and Beijing signed a 25-year $150 billion deal to supply Russian oil to China.

Ties between Beijing and Moscow, which degenerated in the 1960s, have been underpinned in recent years by attempts to forge a strategic partnership born of a joint mistrust of U.S. foreign policy.

Putin hosts a gathering of the world's most powerful leaders this weekend to mark the 300th anniversary of Russia's Czarist capital St. Petersburg. He will hold a separate summit with President Bush on the sidelines.

[usapatriot28]

Good idea, let's reform the United Nations. We'll start by getting rid of U.S. veto power, Security Council representation and General Assembly representation. Then continue it by making it leave New York. What they do after that is up to them.

[John123]

Russia and China called on Thursday for reform of the United Nations to uphold its pivotal role in world affairs.

Like a fox guarding the henhouse.

[eureka!]

Wouldn't that be sweet. Perchance, to dream....

[pcx99]

The Iraq crisis has given new impetus to a longstanding debate on U.N. reform. Many countries have called for the Council to be expanded and for its powers to be altered.

See? Even the russians and chineese want france off the security council :)

[HatSteel]

bump

[LurkedLongEnough]

I may be totally naive, but I see this differently. They know they've been totally embarrassed, so they are following the script of GWB's speech last year to the UN about a need for the UN to resolve the problem of Iraq not observing UN resolutions.

Is that too easy an explanation? Power grabs for show lately have obviously paled in comparison to the real actions of the US and Britain.

[Southack]

France has no military or economic reason for having its UN veto power. It should be stripped of that veto and kicked off the Security Council.

India and Japan, however, have military and economic justifications for having a UN veto. They should both be given it as well as permanent Security Council status.

[HELLRAISER II]

Boo hoo hoo, the U.S. is just to big & to influential. Please take away their veto status so that we can make all the decisions or we'll start pouting & ranting about things were not strong enough to do. Bunch of whining panzies is what they are.

[Maigrey]

Irrelevant thoughts from the peanut gallery. They should retire while they still matter to themselves.

[Lunatic Fringe]

Both countries are permanent veto-wielding members of the U.N. Security Council, the organization's decision-making body circumvented by the U.S. decision to go to war in Iraq without explicit U.N. backing.

Umm, the UN is not there to sanction "justified" wars. It is there to try to keep the peace.

[elfman2]

"Russia, China Call for Reforms at United Nations "

Great Idea! Lets start with:

- A bill of individual and national rights modeled after our Constitution, but stronger,
- Membership must meet minimal respect for liberty standards and rule of law,
- Voting according to GDP

Just call me a big global government fanatic…

[jrlc]

Reform the UN by SHUTTING IT DOWN.

[Simcha7]

"Reform the UN by SHUTTING IT DOWN."

A Statement Very Worth Repeating!

Amen & Amen!

Shut The UN-necessary Idiots Down...IMMEDIATELY.

[maestro]

Russia, China Call for Reforms at United Nations

France to make Russia and China a part of France's Imperial Empire of blackmail.

(?'Frogmail'?)

/sarcasm

[FierceDraka]

[JudgemAll]

Russia and China called on Thursday for reform of the United Nations to uphold its pivotal role in world affairs.

Bull, right after they denied UN jurisdiction over Iraq except for cosmetic inspections. Now they try to blame the US for denying UN role and crucifying Christ.

[AIC]

The UN has become nothing but a cheap place for paid talk. It is nothing more than a diplomatic whore house of cheap individual people making money and have a life style of a King, mostly at the citizens of the worlds' expense. I have not seen anything that the UN has done since its' inception that an individual country could not have done by itself.
Please too spare me the humanitarian angle it's a bunch of garbage. (look who is on the conmittee) Who and what countries have consistently went to the aid of other countries without the UN. Who and what countries have given monies and aid and have been stabbed in the back time and time again. I'm not an isolationist, but a firm believer that help those in need until they hurt you then give them up let them go their own way and you yours, then whatever happens it will be on their own head. I'm tired of all the talk. Talking is all over. Action is needed.

[ffusco]

I'm still listening.......; )