September 15, 2004
GENOCIDE OR UNILATERALISM?:
US vows to push Sudan resolution despite opposition (AFP, 9/16/04)
The United States said it will push for a vote on its UN resolution on the bloodshed in Sudan's Darfur region, and offered strong words in the face of a possible veto from China.The draft resolution threatens sanctions on Sudan's oil industry if the government does not rein in the Arab militias behind a spiral of violence in Darfur that has left an estimated 50,000 people dead.
But in a sign of sharp international disagreements over how to cope with the crisis, China has indicated it could use its veto power on the UN Security Council to sink the resolution, diplomats said."Anyone who vetoes will have to explain why they did not help protect the people of Darfur," Richard Grenell, spokesman for US ambassador John Danforth, told AFP on Wednesday.
Can't wait to hear the Left, which made the Security Council their moral arbiters during the Iraq War run-up, explain why this vote shouldn't make genocide legitimate. Posted by Orrin Judd at September 15, 2004 3:49 PM
Here's another major problem with the UN: process. Why should we have to 'push' to get a vote? There are good reasons to give the Permanent Five a veto (given the structure of the institution), but a filibuster?
Posted by: Fred Jacobsen (San Fran) at September 15, 2004 4:46 PMBush is pushing the vote, fully expecting to lose, to show how morally bankrupt the UN really is.
I'm starting to wonder about a long term agenda for Bush Term II: Replacing the UN.
Posted by: Gideon at September 15, 2004 5:05 PM"Can't wait to hear the Left.."
OJ
Just the other day Kerry was lamenting to some black caucus or some group about the inaction of the Bush Administration on this issue. So if you're expecting them to be speechless regarding rejection by the UN, then you're being naive.
With a straight face they will criticize him for wasting time in going to the UN, and for not going to the UN. Granted it can be a little confusing, but that's just the way it is.