|
|
| by Christopher
Spencer |
Former Senior
Advisor International Organizations, Canadian Department of
Foreign Affairs and International Trade |
| Updated: 25 MAY
09 | |
F.H.Abed"Micro-Credit, Poverty and Development: the Case of Bangladesh"Behind the Headlines
Vol.57/No.2-3 (Winter/Spring 00):-micro-credit -small loans made to poor households/individuals
to finance small-scale entrepreneurial activities- has expanded rapidly(world target is now $20b),
and encouraged hope for major cost-effective global poverty-reduction. "NGOs in Asia, Africa,
and Latin America are largest providers of micro-credit to those sections of society - rural
landless, disadvantagedwomen, marginal farmers, and wage labourers - who depend largely on
selling their labour for a living" (12). These target groups reflect the fact that it is often the only
way very poor can break cycle of povertyresulting from a lack of collateral and exorbitant local
interest charges. It produced high success ratesnot only in poverty-reduction(and repayment:
98%)but in social reform, economic development, education/training, and growth of assets for
both borrowers/lenders, which is reinvested. Abed, director ofBangladesh Rural Advancement
Committee, among world's largest NGO's, offers much globally-relevant information:big issues/
questions; scale/approach/result; specialties(income-useful education, social development).
Ruwantissa I. R. Abeyratne, Aviation Security: Legal and Regulatory Aspects(Brookfield: Ashgate
Publishing 98):-a specialized 400-page book would not normally be listed here. However this one
thoroughly/expertly covers serious global problem, is best reference work known, and includes
proposals for action. So recommended. Blurb states it: "examines offense of unlawful
interference with international civil aviation; analyses critically legal/regulatory regime...,
recommending...new approach to problem" .Among topics covered: Current Relevant Air Law;
Issues Involved: Aircraft Hijacking, Sabotage and Missile Attack; AirportAttacks; Airline Security;
Deterrence/Prevention; Legal Issues and Conventions; Drug Air Traffic and Counteraction; ICAO
Role; Sovereignty; ICC. ISBN 1-84014-544-7. For more information/ purchase: www.ashgate.com.
Aviation Trends in the New Millennium
Morton Abramowitz & Thomas Pickering "Making Intervention Work: Improving the UN's Ability
to Act"(100-108) Foreign Affairs Vol.87/No.5(Sep/Oct 08):-official summary:"In the face of grave
humanitarian crises in countries such as Myanmar and Sudan, the international community has
failed to back up its rhetoric with deeds. To adequately address such situations, the United
Nations must streamline its decision-making, strengthen its peacekeeping capabilities, and
create a crisis-response force". Emphasized extracts:"International clamor must produce
results, not simply more clamor". "The UN needs a limited force to respond to humanitarian
disasters and prevent conflicts from spiraling out of control". Abramowitz is a Senior Fellow at
the Century Foundation and former US Ambassador to Thailand and Turkey. Pickering is Vice
Chair of Hills & Company and has served as US Ambassador to six countries and the UN.
ACCESS TO HIV PREVENTION: CLOSING THE GAP, A 40 page Report by Global HIV Prevention
Working Group, (distributed after May 03 as Supplement to Foreign Affairs):-brief statement of
Working Group's accomplishment states that it is region-by-region analysis of gaps in access
to HIV prevention interventions; it examines current spending levels versus projected need; and
it recommends funding and programmatic activities to avert 29m of 45m new HIV infections
projected between 2002 and 2010.Worldwide comments; then analyses regarding regions:
Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia/Pacific, Eastern Europe/Central Asia, Caribbean/Latin America, North
Africa/Middle East. Conclusions: HIV Prevention Resource Gap; RECOMMENDATIONS.
Latter(each followed by argumentation) are: Global spending on HIV prevention activities from
all sources should increase three-fold by 2005 to $5.7b, and to $6.6b by 2007. Because
prevention efforts currently fall short of what is needed in every region of developing world,
prevention scale-up must be central priority in each region. In immediate future, prevention
efforts should aggressively focus on bringing to scale especially cost-effective, high-impact
interventions. As both prevention and treatment programs are brought to scale, these initiatives
should be carefully integrated to create singlecontinuum of services. In addition to funding
prevention interventions themselves, donors should, in collaboration with multilateral agencies,
provide extensive additional support to build long-term human capacity and infrastructure.
Development assistance and policy reforms should address social and economicconditions that
increase vulnerability to, and facilitate rapid spread of HIV/AIDS. Research into newprevention
strategies and technologies should be strengthened and accelerated. Substantial and sustained
efforts by all donors should focus on improving data collection regarding magnitude and nature
of HIV/AIDS spending in low- and middle-income countries.
James Adams, The Next World War: Computers Are the Weapons and the Front Line Is
Everywhere(New York: Simon & Schuster 98):-not primarily about technology, but rather warning
about (un)anticipated effects of accelerating revolution in many-faceted field of information
warfare(IW). Uses many original sources to explain fundamental changes in nature of combat.
Weapons can be disabling, non-lethal, long-distance, unmanned, multi-use, minuscule... Wars
may be battlefield-less, electronic, adversary-ambiguous, instantaneous... Intelligence and
surveillance will be pervasive/often decisive. At same time, vast technical lead -and complexity
- of rich countries' forces/societies also creates immense (cyber)vulnerability. In global
North-South terms, implies economically-advanced states will prefer to fight by exploiting their
technology, while any less-advanced opponents will tend to concentrate their attackson that
technology's weak points.[World community/UN will find "violent conflict" (formal inter-state
war now very rare)not only creates multiple new diplomatic/legal issues(time/space limits,
sanctions, intervention, lethality, causes, costs, crimes)but, most difficult of all, is increasingly
ambiguous, in terms of "participants" (both initiators and intended enemies/victims),
location(e.g. if electronic, disease-inducing, and/or delayed-action), aims(already true of
terrorism), even very existence(e.g. cyber-, resource- or bio-conflict; deliberate/ accidental?).One
major consequence then is that entire concept of conflict-resolution transformed.]
Chadwick F. Alger, "Thinking About the Future of the UN System" in Global Governance
Vol.2/No.3 (Sep-Dec 1996). - a selective but representative summary of major UN reform
proposals. It includes a useful survey (from 1815) of the multilateral development of "peace
tools". The emphasis for the future is on direct representation and rich-poor equity.
Chadwick F. Alger, edit. The Future of the United Nations System: Potential for the Twenty-First
Century(New York: United Nation Univ. Press 98):-implies, in Introduction and writers'
biographies, itconcentrates on peace research. While most of dozen chapters bring that subject
in at end of their main text, this concern does not distort generally excellent historical
summaries of major areas of UN activity, norobjective identification of problems/reform
proposals. Writers expert so usually offer unbiased/accurate snapshots of where UN stands
now; how it got there; where it is probably going. Chapters essentially deal with: disarmament,
"tough" intervention, peacekeeping, work with NGOs; internal conflicts; human
rights;North-South economics; women's rights; refugees; environment; communications; peace
education. Except for last, all are summarized.
Lawrence K.Altman "Report Shows AIDS Epidemic Slowdown in 2005"New York Times 30 May
06:- "Newsurveys suggest that global AIDS epidemic has begun to slow, with decline in new HIV
infections in about 10 countries, leader of UNAID program said. Outside of those countries,..
number of new AIDS infections continues to rise or hover at its current pace. Meanwhile, public
health efforts are reaching only a small proportion of people at risk, Dr.Peter Piot, executive
director of UNAIDS, said at news conference in UN NYC ...India has 5.7m infected people and
South Africa 5.5m, but India's population far greater. Showing no sign of decline, South Africa
has a prevalence rate of about 19% of 47m people.In India, rate is less than 1% of its population
of 1.1b. Progress against AIDS in some regions represents dividends from a surge in financing
since 2001, when UN pledged its commitment to stem epidemic by 2010. Declaration called for
countries to report regularly on their responses to AIDS. This week, UNGAwill receive the
progress that 126 countries have said they have made. Report(op.cit.), most comprehensive
survey ever compiled from country data, pointed to the 2001 UN meeting as a turning point for
AIDS financing. In 2005,.. world spent $8.3b on AIDS, compared with $1.6b in 2001. 'We areseeing
the impact', Piot said. He cited increased condom use, a rise in postponement of sexual
intercourse and a decrease in number of sex partners as factors in slowing of epidemic.
Summarizing report's findings, Piot said '2005 was least bad year in the history of the AIDS
epidemic'... Despite thepositive trends, Piot reported grim findings from China, Indonesia, Papua
New Guinea, Russia andVietnam(op.cit.), with signs of outbreaks in Bangladesh and Pakistan.
Ending the pandemic will depend largely on changing social norms like empowering women,
reducing stigma of the disease andencouraging a greater reduction in the number of sex
partners, report said. Most countries have strong foundations for building an effective response
against AIDS, report said, but systems to carry out plansremain inconsistent. Thoroughness of
the individual national reports varied, and many countries did not provide data for all
categories... Still, replies identified significant weaknesses, he said. Fewer than 50%of young
people achieved comprehensive knowledge levels about HIV, far fewer than the 90% goal.
Only9% of gay men and fewer than 20% of intravenous drug users received any kind of HIV
prevention help in 2005. Services to prevent HIV infections in infants have not scaled up as
rapidly as programs to provide antiretroviral therapy. Just 9% of pregnant women were covered...
Report shows that epicenterof the epidemic remains in sub-Saharan Africa. There epidemic has
reached peak, but incidence remains unacceptably high, Piot said. Across most of Africa, HIV
prevalence among pregnant women attendingclinics has remained roughly level for several
years. UN disputed contentions by some observers thatthe leveling off showed a turning point
in the AIDS epidemic in Africa... Piot said, 'actual number of people infected continues to rise
because of population growth'" ; Lawrence K.Altman "U.N. Urges Tripling of Funds by '08 to Halt
AIDS" NYT 01 Jun 06:- "Stopping epidemic of AIDS will require $22b/year by 2008 and possibly
more in following years, officials of UNAIDS program said. The $22b is nearly triplethe $8.3b
spent 05 by all sources, including governments and private sector. Urging that countries spend
more, UNSG Kofi Annan said a costlier and more sustained effort needed because AIDS
'hasspread further, faster and with more catastrophic long-term effects than any other disease'...
Of projectedfigure, half is needed for prevention and a quarter for treatment and care of infected
people. Remainderis for care of orphans, children at risk of becoming infected and program
costs. UNSG and Piot of UNAIDS spoke as UNGA began meeting aimed at renewing political
commitment and setting new goals for expenditures and for measuring progress... Annan urged
delegates to challenge countries trying to avoid goals that mention gay people, prostitutes,
intravenous-drug users and others at high risk of becoming infected. 'Governments concerned
need to be realistic and responsible', UNSG said. He also said that 'if we are here to try to end
the epidemic, we will not succeed by putting our head in the sandand pretending that these
people do not exist or they do not need help'... Report cards showed that most countries missed
more goals than they met. More than 20m have become infected since 2001 meeting.Now
countries must fundamentally change the way they think and deal with epidemic, moving from
crisis management to 'sustained attention and the kind of "anything it takes" resolve that
member states apply to preventing global financial meltdowns or wars' , Piot said... Global
Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS released a study showing that private companies have become
more likely to provide treatment for employees as cost of antiretroviral drugs has fallen over last
six years, to $140-$300/year,from $10,000. In African countries with a high prevalence, more than
70% of companies surveyed arefully subsidizing access to HIV treatment, coalition said.
Study...found increasing trend to expand such treatment to employees' dependents. Companies
also offering access to voluntary testing/counseling" ; Lawrence K.Altman & Elisabeth Rosenthal
"U.N. Strengthens Call for a Global Battle Against AIDS" NYT 02 Jun 06:- "[UNGA] adopted
strongly worded declaration [02 Jun] aimed at pressing nations of the worldto strengthen their
battle against AIDS, global pandemic [UNSG] called 'greatest challenge of our generation'.
Language of document surprised even anti-AIDS groups, which said that while it did not satisfy
all their objectives, they had feared it would be watered down... Nonbinding declaration reaffirms
commitments made in 01, when UN defined AIDS as far more than a medical issue, framing it in
terms of political/human rights/ economic survival... New document is political blueprint, not
plan of action.Calls for strong commitment to bolster the rights of women/girls so they can
protect themselves from infection with HIV... Declaration calls on countries to: use scientifically
documented prevention strategies, including condoms;make clean needles accessible to drug
users; take steps to provide universal access to prevention programs/ care/antiretroviral drugs.
Includes politically charged terms like 'condoms' /'vulnerable groups' , though those groups not
specified... Countries expected to measuretheir progress over next 5 years against targets to be
determined by UN... Said world will need to spend up to $23b/year by 2010... Earlier in day, UNSG
Annan delivered a gloomy assessment, saying world waslosing the battle. 'The epidemic
continues to outpace us' , he told packed UNGA. 'There are more new infections than ever
before; more deaths than ever before; more women/girls infected than ever before'... [US' s]
Mrs.Bush speech steered away from many of the criticisms that have been labled against
administration, notably that it promotes sexual abstinence over scientifically proven
strategies,particularly condom use. Indeed, she said, 'ABC'model - initials stand for abstain, be
faithful and usecondoms - had brought sharp declines in infections in Africa. Britain's
international development[minister] said in interview: abstinence alone did not work ...Dr. Peter
Piot [UNAIDS] said: while nodocument could make anyone '100% happy', final version was 'a
major advance'and far stronger thanweaker drafts circulating earlier in week" .
Roger C.Altman "The Great Crash, 2008: A Geopolitical Setback for the West"(2-14) Foreign
Affairs Vol.88/No.1(Jan/Feb 09):-official summary:"The economic collapse of 2008, the worst in
over 75 years, is a major geopolitical setback for the West. It has stripped Wshdc and European
governments of the resources and credibility they need to maintain their roles in global affairs.
These weaknesses will eventually be repaired, but in the meantime they will accelerate trends
that are shifting the world's center of gravity away from the US". Emphasized extracts:"The
crisis' underlying cause was the combination of very low interest rates and unprecedented levels
of liquidity". "US deficit for the fiscal year that began in Oct 08 will approach $1 trillion - or 7.5%
of US GDP". Altman is Chair/CEO of Evercore Partners. Was US Deputy Treasury Secretary 93-4.
Sudhir Anand & Amartya K.Sen Sustainable Human Development: Concepts and Priorities(New
York: UNDP/ODS 96):-tries to provide rationale for bringing together narrowly environmental
viewof "sustainable" world and case for eliminating "inequities" in living conditions. Argument
for "human development" (pushed by UNDP/World Bank/this bibliography)made well, but its role
in population controland easing pressure on the planet's carrying capacity mentioned only
weakly and indirectly. Generaleconomic development( "overall opulence" )criticized as
"partisan" for failing "to take note of need for impartiality in allocating entitlements"
i.e.collective statistics hide unacceptable inequities. Imbalanced - or at least imperfect - defence
of key imperatives.
Chris Anderson, "The Young(stressing Youth and Age)" The Economist 23 Dec 00(Survey
1-16):-explorescauses/ elements/global impact of major social trend, strong in North America,
spreading through advanced/emerging societies and already changing poorer countries(Japan,
Germany, China)." About...growing influence of young adults in world, and especially working
world...thanks to convergence of forces that play to youth's strength -from technology to...pace
of change to...tearing down of traditional...order.[T]hey are...first young who are both in position
to change world, and are actually doing so.[Y]oung people increasingly make own environment,
thanks to shift in power that gives them opportunity, responsibility and tools once reserved for
their elders" .Rapid, relentless pace ofchange(technological/social)favours young, since they
learn/relearn faster/easier/can afford to risk more to try new things(including jobs).In
organizations, hierarchies of mature giving way to meritocracies in order to compete/ survive,
initiate/adjust to change, and as knowledge/skill/even experience needs constant
updating/replacement. Youth: welcome change; think flexibly/technologically;
exploit(mobile)skills; riskfutures; prefer opportunity to wealth/ security; demand/deserve
respect. "Youth and Government" in issue(61-2)reports youth's growing role/impact in
decision-making.[ "W]ell-prepared input can be more influential than[votes - point often made
about NGOs' power being in knowledge]Young people...are not only leaders of tomorrow;
increasingly they are leaders of today" .
Kofi A. Annan, Renewing the United Nations: A Programme for Reform (New York: UN DPI
SG/SM/6284 or GA/9282 16 Jul 97 and attachments; http://www.un.org/reform/track 2/[6
documents]).-Secretary-General's and Maurice Strong's reform proposals comprise two types:
29 "Actions", mostly multiple and many already initiated, that consist of reforms which S-G has
authority under the Charter to undertake by himself; and 15 "Recommendations", single or
grouped, that require decisions by member states. Included are: a new leadership or
management structure; financial solvency; consolidation of the Secretariat; staff and budget
reductions; raised staff efficiency; top priority to be sustained/able development; improved
support to committees; quicker peacekeeping and field deployment; better post-conflict
peacebuilding; strong action against crime, drugs, terrorism; expanded human
rights,disarmament and humanitarian activities; changed public information and
communications systems; shortand focused UNGA sessions; a ministerial-level study of Charter
revision. In 1997 the UNGA generally approved those parts of the S-G's Reform Program that fell
within his own authority (A/51/950,14 Jul 97 and Adds 1-7 in A/RES/52/ 12,12 Nov 97 and
A/52/L.72/Rev.1, 19 Dec 97). However, as regards hisrecommendations that Member States
"refine or revise a number of institutional practices under theirjurisdiction" , as he politely stated
in his 1998 Report: "In the main, the General Assembly decided to defer its consideration of
such questions or continue them at the fifty-third session" (UN Sales No: E.99.1.3: page 3).
These include time limits for new mandates, a results-based budget system, and investment of
administrative savings in "innovative developing projects."
Kofi A. Annan, Renewal Amid Transition: Annual Report on the Work of the Organization, 1997,
by the Secretary-General of the United Nations (New York: UN DPI/1927 or Sales No.: E.97.I.23
- Sep 1997). - distinctly shorter (70pp) than most Annual Reports, Annan's first covers only some
highlights of various UN activities from mid-96 to mid-97. It complements his"Programme for
Reform"(Ibid.)by reporting on number of early changes. Tessitore(op.cit.)gives much more detail
on each subject covered by Annan, but the S-G's Report offers quick overview that UNA-USA can
then amplify selectively. For general information about Annual Reports: UN Secretary-General
(op.cit. UN: NEW).
Kofi A. Annan, "The Quiet Revolution" Global Governance Vol.4/No.2(Apr-Jun 98):-fine updating
of Secretary-General worldview and priorities. Globalization is "most rapid reconfiguration
of...economic geography ever" so UN must exploit"mutual benefits of change while managing
adverse effects...UN's past pattern of incremental adaptations will not suffice." Must do what "it
does better than others" ;collaborate more with international bodies/civil society: NGOs
/business/academe. UN aim"strategic resource deployment, unity ofpurpose, coherence of
effort/agility/flexibility" . These aims have of course also been set out in Annan's specifically
reform-related papers.
Kofi A. Annan, Partnerships for Global Community: Annual Report on the Work of the
Organization 1998, by the Secretary-General of the United Nations(New York: UN DPI/1997 or
Sales No: E.99.1.3 - Sep 1998).-Annan's second Annual Report generally follows the format of
his first in being short (82pp)and covering onlysome highlights of UN activities. It is however
structured in the more usual way, fairly closely following the subject matter of UNGA Main
Committees: Achieving peace and security; Cooperating for development; Meeting humanitarian
commitments; Engaging with globalization; Strengthening the international legal
order;Managing change. The tone is more upbeat, with considerable emphasis on what reforms
have been(not: have to be)undertaken. With the S-G an experienced manager himself, the space
allocated to improved administration is expanded(the Secretariat Office of Legal Affairs gets
almost three pages). At the other extreme, the critical work of the Population Fund is given 16
lines, with no mention whatsoever of family planning! With the irreplaceable world body's
collapse still a credible threat by a few unrepresentative politicians in a single member state,
perhaps some catering to their prejudice was necessary.
Kofi A.Annan "Peacekeeping, Military Intervention, and National Sovereignty in Internal Armed
Conflict" in Jonathan Moore edit. Hard Choices: Moral Dilemmas in Humanitarian
Intervention(Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield 98)(for book see Moore op.cit.):-UNSG notes how UN
operations forced to change radically since end of Cold War. One change been UN involvement
in internal armed conflicts. "Often do not lend themselves to traditional peacekeeping
treatment," requiring difficult coordinated political, military, andhumanitarian response.
Meanwhile "understanding of sovereignty undergoing significant transformation" : "matter of
responsibility, not just power." "[M]ust not be allowed to obstruct effective action to address
problems that transcend borders or to secure human dignity." Author then provides illustrations,
drawing mainly on UN role in Bosnia.
Kofi A. Annan, "Two Concerns of Sovereignty: International Intervention in Humanitarian Crises"
The Economist18 Sep 99(49-50):-UNSG gives his views on basic issues. Inaction in Rwanda and
interventions in Kosovo(no authority) and East Timor(too little too late)all justify criticism. We
need consensus "not only... that massive and systematic violations of human rights must be
checked...but also on ways of deciding what action is necessary, and when, and by whom."
Critical points: "intervention" should not be understood as referring only to use of force; we
need redefinition of sovereignty and broader definition of national interests that "would induce
states to find greater unity in pursuit of common goals and values...today,collective interest is
national interest" ;if force is necessary, Council must uphold Charter; act "in defence of our
common humanity" ;ceasefires do not end commitments.
Kofi A. Annan, "Preventing War and Disaster: A Growing Global Challenge" , Annual Report on
the Work of the Organization 1999, by the Secretary-General of the United Nations(New York:
DPI/2058; Sales No: E.99.1.29-Sep 1999):-after convincing plea for more cost-saving global
efforts to foresee, prevent, or reduce human and natural crises, Annan summarizes all major UN
activities over year to Sep 99, and selected plans and problems(in 130pp). Chapters address:
peace/security; development; humanitarian issues; globalization; legal order; human rights;
administration. Overall impression: hard-won progress in implementing UN
obligations/reforms/savings are frustrated by Members' selfishness/lack of political will/financial
irresponsibility. Since there are separate summaries of the 1999 Report's comments on each
major topic, this will deal only with REFORM AND ADAPTIVE PROPOSALS. Soon after becoming
S-G, Annan submitted a large number of proposals. A summary, and the Document references,
can be found above under: Kofi A. Annan, Renewing the United Nations: A Programme for
Reform. There are often positive references in the 1999 Report to progress or action related to
those parts of the Programme that are mainly within S-G's competence. Annan seems satisfied
with his "central vision" to "create simplified structures and a leaner andmore efficient
Secretariat run by empowered managers who are committed to managerial excellence and
accountability" (100). Those proposals needing Members' action, if reflected, are not identified
as part of the Program; in any event no major "political" reforms(such as Security Council
structure)have been approved recently.
Kofi A. Annan, "We the Peoples: The Role of the United Nations in the 21st Century" Millennium
Report of S-G presented 03 Apr 00 to UNGA in preparation for the Millennial Summit 6-8 Sep 00:-
Executive Summary, Key Proposals, Full Report, Fact Sheet, Press Releases, SG UNGA
Statement, SG Press Conference Transcript: all under http://www.un.org/millennium/sg/report/.
Annan said report "attempts to present a comprehensive account of the challenges facing
humanity as we enter the twenty-first century, combined with a plan of action for dealing with
them" . Section titles with(very tight)summaries: I. New Century, New Challenges: New
millennium-Summit offers unique occasion to reflect on world's common destiny, since
interconnected as never before. UN can help meet challenges ahead and be reshaped now to
make a real difference. II. Globalization and Governance: Globalization unequally distributed and
lacks shared social objectives. More people(plus crime, drugs, terrorism, pollution, disease,
weapons, migrants, refugees)interact across frontiers faster, and feel more threatened/ horrified
by distant events/conditions. New technologies enable common understanding/action, so must
learn to govern better, together. States need mutual help via common institutions, from
non-state actors, and informal policy networks. The unequal/unstable/unsustainable world
development model needs agreed remedial measures. III. Freedom From Want: .5b live on less
than $1 a day, so must reduce extreme poverty by half before 2015. Priorities: sustained growth;
all children complete primary school by 2015 and all youth finddecent work; by 2010 HIV
infection rate in young cut by 25% -one result of more LDC-relevant research; improve lives of
100m slum dwellers by 2020; experts/charities to tackle low agricultural productivity in Africa,
as governments give higher priority to poverty; maximize LDC access to infonets to speed
development; rich states open markets to LDCs, offer more debt relief, and focus increased
ODA. IV.Freedom From Fear: internal wars killed 5m in decade; WMD remain threat; security
protects people, not territory. Tackle conflict by: prevention, more balanced development,
human/minority rights, exposingweapons/money/resource smuggling; protect the vulnerable by
enforcing international/human rights law; using UNSC for armed intervention when rights and
lives are massively violated; consider peace operations review panel proposals; target "smart"
sanctions more; improve control of small arms transfers, and reduce dangers of existing nuclear
arms and proliferation. V. Sustaining Our Future: Most planet-sustaining actions are too few,
little, and late. Before 2002, must: cope with climate change: reduce emissions 60% by
efficient/renewable energy, implementing Kyoto Protocol; meet water crisis: accept 2015 target
of 50% reduction in those without safe/affordable water, raise agricultural productivity per unit
of water, improve management; defend soil: biotechnology may be best hope for sufficient food
production, so debate must be resolved globally; preserve forests, fisheries, biodiversity with
joint government/private sector conservation; build new stewardship ethic: public education,
integration ofenvironment into economic policy, regulations/ incentives, accurate scientific data.
VI. Renewing the UN: Must find consensus solutions among governments, private sector, NGOs,
and IOs, with UN as catalyst. Build on core UN strengths(norm-setting, global actions,
humanitarian trust)to press rule of law, adapt UNSC, and work with NGOs, private sector and
foundations, including through informal policy networks; work with industry to exploit
information technology; improve UN management throughstructural/agenda reform,
priority-setting, more flexibility, results-based budgeting. VII. For Consideration by the Summit:
Act on basis of shared Charter values: Freedom, Equity and Solidarity, Tolerance, Non-Violence,
Respect for Nature, Shared Responsibility. Adopt resolutions drawn from Report as
evidence.Reviews: Barbara Crossette, "Annan Urges High-Tech Aid for Poor Countries" in New
York Times 4 Apr;The Economist 8 Apr: "Kofi Annan's Words to the World: Bouncing to a Fairer
World" (51).
Kofi A. Annan, "Common Destiny, New Resolve" , Annual Report on the Work of the Organization
2000, by the Secretary-General of the United Nations(New York: DPI/2153;Sales No.E.00.1.22-Sep
99):-UNSG begins by noting report to Millennium Summit, "We the Peoples: The Role of the
United Nations in the 21st Century" (op.cit.), includes his assessment of humanity's progress
and challenges at turn of millennium,and suggests ways in which international community can
work together to" better lives of people still left behind" .Introduction, summarizing 130-page
report on major UN activities over year to Sep 00, highlights: (1)Demands on UN humanitarian
agencies far exceeded worst-case predictions; (2)Living standards in sub-Saharan Africa still
declining; (3)AIDS pandemic spreads with frightening rapidity; needs stronger commitment to
action; (4)Three new peace missions were created, straining UNHQ resources.
(5)Reviewsanalysed UN failures in Srebrenica and Rwanda; offered recommendations. (6)
controversial economicbenefits of globalization must be more inclusive/equitably shared.
(7)Must be cooperative management ofglobal economic affairs through more effective
governance. (8)Informal global policy networks involving governments, international institutions,
civil society and private sector have great potential. Chapters: Peace/Security; Humanitarian
Commitments; Development; International Legal Order/Human Rights; UNManagement.
Kofi A. Annan, Report of the [UN] Secretary-General to the Preparatory Committee for the
High-level International Intergovernmental Event on Financing for Development:-this
collaborative effort(officially UNGA Document A/AC.257/12)runs to 64 pages, makes 87
recommendations, and was commissioned bythe Millennium Summit to help focus discussion
at a Mar 2002 global meeting on development financing(still an" event" since it awaits an official
title). Involved directly in the report's preparation were: many parts of the UN proper(particularly
DESA, UNCTAD and UNDP); UN Agencies; the Bank, Fund and WTO; theregional development
banks; OECD; the Financial Stability Forum; many governments/otherstakeholders(arranged by
the UN regional commissions); the business community; and civil society organizations. Hence
it reflects extremely varied, expert and authoritative views - significant, since some proposals
are quite radical, even if presented solely on the responsibility of the UN Secretariat. The report
consists of an Introduction and six chapters, the latter perhaps being the agenda items of the
"event" : I. Mobilizing domestic financial resources for development; II. Mobilizing international
resources for development: foreign direct investment and other private flows; III. Trade; IV.
Increasing international financial cooperation for development through, inter alia, official
development assistance; V. Debt; VI. Addressing systemic issues: enhancing coherence and
consistency of the international monetary, financial and trading systems in support of
development. For highlights, see UN Press Release DEV/2275at: http://www.un.org/News/Press
/docs/2001/ dev2275.htm. The complete text(which explains all acronyms!)can also be
downloaded from the Web: http://www.un.org/esa/ffd/aac257-12E.htm
orhttp://www.un.org/esa/ffd/aac257-12E.pdf. For three articles about the Report(highlighting the
dirty bits)see: Christopher S. Wren, "U.N. Report Proposes Steps to Fight Global Poverty" in New
York Times 30 Jan 01;Reuters, "Annan Offers Poor Nations 87 Ways to Lure Funds" NYT 30 Jan;
Wren, "The U.N. Offers 87 Remedies to Help Poor Nations Develop" NYT 04 Feb. The UNSG's
opening speech at the subsequentPrepcom meeting is reported in: Reuters "Annan: Poor
Nations Must Set Development Priorities" NYT 12 Feb. It describes his theme as: LDCs "should
play a greater role in setting policy and priorities in thefinancing of global development" and
cease to be "decided in clubs where only rich countries have real influence" . This issue is of
course a perennial one at the UN, where the contribution-weighted voting in Bretton Woods
bodies is seen as "grossly unfair" and "neo-colonialist" by aid recipients, whose very survival
may be at stake, but "absolutely essential" by the investment-oriented donors, who feel"
shareholders" have natural rights to determine where and how their own money is spent. Annan
aims to increase the relative role of" one-country-one-vote" UN fora(UNGA; ECOSOC)in making
broad global development policies and priorities. He also is very concerned to make foreign
investment in LDCs larger and less volatile as ODA continues its decline. Advising him is a
high-level panel(Zedillo, Rubin, Delors...).
Kofi A. Annan "Courage To Fulfil Our Responsibilities" The Economist 04 Dec 04(23-5):-UNSG
offers global action-urging essay built on his immediate reaction to report of the High-Level
Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change. Following his urgent introduction is a brief summary
of Annan's alreadyconcentrated and rearranged version of the panel report's many
concerns/proposals. Its value is less to summarize the panel's views than to identify subjects
they and/or he discuss. "We face a world of extraordinary challenges - and of extraordinary
interconnectedness. We are all vulnerable to new security threats, and to old threats that are
evolving in complex and unpredictable ways. Either we allow this array of threats, and our
responses to them, to divide us, or we come together to take effective action to meet all of them
on basis of a shared commitment to collective security. I asked the 16 members of [panel]-
eminent people representing many nations and points of view - to analyse the threats to
peaceand security our world faces; to evaluate how well our existing policies and institutions
are meeting them; and to recommend changes to those policies and institutions, so as to ensure
an effective collective response to those threats. Their report...makes 101 far-sighted but
realistic recommendations. If acted on, they would address the security concerns of all states,
ensure that UN works better, strengtheninternational rule of law and make all people safer" .
First: threats. Event/process leading to deaths on large scale/lessening life chances or
undermines states, should be viewed as threat to innatl peace/security.Clusters:
economic/social, including poverty/disease; inter-state conflict/rivalry; internal violence: civil
war/state collapse/genocide; nuclear/radiological/chemical/ biological weapons; terrorism; innatl
crime.Threats interconnected to unprecedented degree; no state alone can defeat. Highly
enriched uranium at size of 6 milk cartons could level medium-sized city as nuclear device. Such
attack in US/Europe isstaggering cost for world economy. Security of developed states only as
strong as ability of poor statesto respond to/contain new deadly infectious disease. Incubation
period for most is longer than most air flights, so any one of 700m who travel airlines in year
could unwittingly carry lethal virus to unsuspecting state. Today, virus similar to 1918 influenza
could kill tens of millions in fraction of a year. In today's worldany threat to one is truly threat to
all; applies to all categories of threats. Since real limits on self-protection,all states need
collective-security system, committing all to act cooperatively against dangers.
Givengravity/interconnectedness of threats, world needs more active prevention. Prevention can
be highly effective(Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty);WHO helped halt SARS. Best prevention
agents: capable states, acting/cooperating with others. Best preventive strategy: is development
support. Millennium Development Goals to halve poverty/hunger by 2015 states' best security
investment. It will save lives/reduce violentconflict and radicalism/bolster state ability against
threats before real harm. HIV/AIDS shows danger ofinadequate prevention. Slow/ineffective
global response allowed 20m killed/20 years; spread continues andworst to come. Ultimate cost
will include shattered societies. Still not taking all needed steps to bring under control. Also
need public-health facilities built in poor world. Not only poorer states benefit
diseasetreatment/local prevention; whole world has better defence against
bio-terrorism/large-scale naturalepidemics. UNSC should work with WHO to strengthen
biological security via prompt, effective responses.Equal: greater environmental collective
action, including beyond Kyoto protocol to better resources management in states at risk.
Prevention also vital to protect against terrorism. New isrange/scale/intensity of threat(al-Qaeda
can kill around world/has struck in 10+ UN members).Could acquire instruments of massive
destruction: unprecedented danger. UN must better use assets in fight against terrorists:
articulate a strategy respectful of laws/human rights. Definition of terrorism offered: any action
intended to kill/seriously harm civilians/non-combatants, with purpose of
intimidatingpopulation/compelling action by government/innatl organization. States should use
to build consensus andstrengthen UN response to deadly scourge. Also urgent
recommendations on non-proliferation/disarmament/curbing supply of materials to reduce risk
of nuclear/chemical/biological attacks by states/terrorist groups. States encouraged to end
development of domestic uranium enrichmentand urged to voluntary time-limited moratorium
on reprocessing plant construction. IAEA ability to monitorcompliance with Non-Proliferation
Treaty strengthened by standards in protocol for safeguards inspections. Since Cold War, UN
far more engaged in preventing/ending civil wars; ended more through negotiationsince 90 than
in previous 200 years; developed expertise/learned hard lessons. As demand for UN blue
helmets grows, need to boost peacekeeper supply/avoid 90s worst failures. Rich states should
hastenefforts transforming existing forces for UN peace operations. UN must invest in
mediation/support peace agreement implementation. Demobilize combatants/reintegrate into
civil life; otherwise civil wars not successfully ended/other goals(democracy/justice/
development)remain unmet. Often innatl community lost focus if crisis high point
past/peacekeepers left. Propose UNSC create Peacekeeping Commission; to givestrategic focus
for work in states under stress/emerging from conflict. If prevention/peaceful resolution fails,
UN must be able to rely on force. Whatever reason: all states/UNSC should bear in mind basic
guidelines/questions: (1)Seriousness of threat: does it justify force?(2)Proper purpose: does
proposed force halt/avert threat?(3)Last resort: all non-military options explored/exhausted? (4)
Proportional means: force proposed minimum necessary?(5)Balance of consequences: clear
action not worse than inaction? No need to amend Art.51 of UN Charter: any state's right of
self-defence against armed attack/pre-emptive action against imminent threat. However if states
fear threats, neither imminent nor proximate, but which could culminate in horrific violence if left
to fester, UNSC already powered to act/must be prepared to take action earlier than past, when
asked/reliable evidence. Protection of civilians inside states long fraught with controversy. Yet
recognized more widely that question better framed, not as intervene-right but
protection-responsibility - borne first/foremost by states. Panel agreed principle of
non-intervention in internal affairs cannot protect committing genocide/large-scale ethnic
cleansing/othercomparable atrocities. I hope UN members agree/UNSC will act. UN(now nearly
60)born in very different time/world, so has under-appreciated record of adapting to new
dangers, e.g. peacekeeping in world's civil wars/response to attack of Sep 01. Clearly needs
far-reaching reform to prevent/respond to all current threats. Some propose via-UN collective
response too difficult/not necessary. But all anti-threat actions impact beyond immediate
context/all states benefit from shared global framework. Not mean UN needs to do everything.
It must learn of share burdens/welcome help from others/work with them. Already does so;
report recommends strengthened UN partnerships with regional organs/individual states. Great
attention: UNSC reform. Objectives: make UNSC more effective/authoritative. Permanent
membership devised(1945)to ensure active engagement of big powers to maintain
peace/security. New permanent members matter of controversy/debate. Two suggestions, both
expanding membership to 24; aim at: add those who contribute most to UN
financially/militarily/diplomatically; ensure UNSC represents UN as whole;not expand veto, which
would render decisions more difficult. Proposals offer chance breakthrough in year ahead. If
acted on, UNSC more representative/better equipped for decisive action. Need strengthened UN
secretariat that can support Peacebuilding Commission; implement UNSC/ committee decisions
better on peacekeeping/mediating civil wars. Report envisages more concerted-action
secretariat, with UNSGmore responsible for management/accountability. Equally important:
ECOSOC overhaul to strengthen role in social development/improving knowledge on
economic-social dimensions of security threats. Also, recommends Human Rights Commission
better defender of rights of all. After 60 years, once again findworld mired in disillusionment and
all too imperfect. Easy to stand at sidelines and criticise/talk endlessly about UN reform, but
world no longer has that luxury. Time to adapt collective security system so it works
efficiently/effectively/ equitably. Next year UN states reviewing progress on Millennium
Declaration; world leaders' summit in Sep. Appropriate moment to act on some of most
important recommendations in report.I will indicate which call for decisions at that level.
Fervently hope world leaders will rise to challenge. Have all lived through period of deep division
and sombre reflection. Must make 05 year of bold decision; all share responsibility for each
other's security. Let's summon courage to fulfil responsibility." Complete text of "A More Secure
World: Our Shared Responsibility" Report of the High-level Panel on Threats, Challenges and
Change, plus initial comments by requester/addressee, UNSG Kofi Annan, can be read and even
copied(99pp Acrobat Reader)from Secretary General's part of UN file (www.un.org). Executive
Summary(8pp Acrobat)also available at same address. Capturing the 21st Century Security:
Prospects for Collective Responses(Oct 04)collects reports from six Stanley Foundation
conferences in 04 that dealt with UNSG panel. Report at http://reports.stanleyfoundation.org.
Council on Foreign Relations "Q&A: Reforming the United Nations" 01 Dec 04:-originally
available either by NYT>CFR>International>[title] or via CFR directly. This is expert interview with
Lee Feinstein who" has spearheaded Council work on the United Nations" and studied the
important UN report and its UNGA prospects.
Clair Apodaca, Michael Stohl, George Lopez, "Moving Norms to Political Reality:
Institutionalizing Human Rights Standards through the United Nations System" (185-220)in The
Future of the United Nations System: Potential for the Twenty-First Century(New York: UN Univ.
98):-extremely useful study of UN human rights structures, treaties and activities, employing a
new sense that state legitimacy derives from internal order and regard for standards. Four main
UN purposes include promotion of human rights, set down in Universal Declaration(48)and
amplified in two International Covenants(76).All three now binding on all states. Many more
specific UN System treaties, with recent emphasis on Humanitarian Law.Growing human rights
roles of NGOs, High Commissioner and complex UN structures are explained.Reform proposals
involve structure, NGO protection and regional action.
Associated Press, "UN Council Endorses Gun Control" New York Times 24 Sep 99:-on 24 Sep
Security Council unanimously endorsed report by SG Annan on ways to reduce global stock of
500m handguns, rifles, shotguns and assault weapons. "Sweeping gun-control measures"
reportedly included ban on private ownership of assault rifles presumably in wording US could
accept. Nevertheless purpose of action while not binding, is "to increase pressure on world
governments to impose stricter gun control measures and reduce arms trade." Significant, with
200m+ firearms owned by US citizens, that Annan stated clearly: "easyavailability of small arms
has in many cases contributed to violence..." US Secretary of State apparently only spoke of
tightening international/illicit arms traffic. Over 3m, mostly civilians, have been killed since 89in
conflicts fought with only small arms.
Associated Press, "Number of Refugees Grows Worldwide" New York Times 13 Jun 00:-World
Refugee Survey 2000, issued by prestigious US Committee for Refugees, claims that at end of
20th Century there were35m people worldwide "uprooted and in need of protection." Conflict
contributed 7m to this in 99 alone, and despite UN success in ending some long-term disputes
following end of Cold War, this estimated total had risen from 29m in 90. Moreover, of these,
13.7m are found in Africa(4.4m in Sudan alone).Another trend has been continually growing
number of refugees that for various reasons remain in their own countries:Internally Displaced
Persons. Identified IDPs now number at least 4m, and clearly demand higher priority from
UN-UNHCR since they are not afforded same legal protections and care as" international"
refugeesunder Geneva Conventions. On other hand, there is hope that some sources of refugees
and IDPs may bein sight of permanent solution. Elizabeth Rosenthal, "Famine in North Korea
Creates Steady Human Flow into China" NYT 10 Jun:-report on motives and stratagems of North
Korean refugees within/outside their country. Any moves towards Korean reconciliation could
have major and rapid effect on this crisis. For evenlonger-term look at issue of unwilling
migration, AP reports "Conference Addresses Migration" NYT 10 Jun:-experts Paris meeting
organized by Universal Academy of Cultures concluded "globalization demands greater moral
responsibility and intervening in sovereign nations is plausible response to misery that drives
populations beyond their borders." Those seeking political asylum increased from 250,000 in 87
to 900,000 in 92, but then declined to 388,000 in 98,perhaps reflecting growing influence of such
perceptionin UN. Meanwhile, if Europe's population falls 100m by 50, migration waves may
become beneficial.
Associated Press, "Activists Seek Cluster Bomb Ban" New York Times 08 Aug 00:-British arm
of International Campaign to Ban Land Mines has called for global moratorium on use,
manufacture and sale of cluster bombs, pending in-depth review of their legality and impact.
While designed to scatter immediately-exploding "bomblets" over large area, significant
numbers of bomblets fail to explode on first impact; so effectively become land mines. By
causing civilian casualties for years after hostilities end, charged their use is "indiscriminate and
in clear breach of international humanitarian law." Group calls for laws requiring clearance after
combat, compensation of civilian casualties and deployment records.Reuters, "UK Anti-Land
Mine Group Seeks Ban on Cluster Bombs" NYT 8 Aug :- gives similar facts, but adds bomblets
can blight farmland, impede economic recovery, grow in lethality over time.
Associated Press "U.S. Troops in Asia Undergo Transformation"New York Times 16 Nov
05:-"North Korea's military power hasn't suddenly changed. It claims to have nukes and its
million-man army is ready to roll. China, meanwhile, is engaging as the new Asian military leader,
and terrorism is flaring upall over the region. But at US' s major Asian outposts, some serious
downsizing under way... US position isn't weakening, say officials and analysts; cutbacks will
be counterbalanced by improved equipment, organization and cooperation... In its biggest
reorganization in two decades, US will shed 12,500 of its32,500-strong force in Korea over next
3 years, reduce its number of bases by about 75% and hand overmajor elements of troops'
mission to their Korean counterparts, who will 'play larger and larger role', US Defense Secretary
said on recent Asia tour. Similar restructuring afoot in Japan, where nearly 50,000US troops are
stationed. US and Japan just agreed to most sweeping changes in deployments there..., plan
that... includes withdrawal of about 7,000 of 18,000 Marines on crowded island of Okinawa...
Ananalyst...says aim is to streamline, but not undermine, the alliance... Changes in Korea in line
with shifts now taking place within entire Army, moving toward combat teams 'smaller but fully
capable and fully lethal packages that can be deployed faster', said [chief of force development
and plans for 8th US Army in Korea]... By end of 2005, 8th Army will have shed 8,000 troops.
Another 3,500 will leave by 2008, along with 1,000 Air Force... Facing increased demands on its
own troops in Iraq/elsewhere, Washington pushing Seoul and Tokyo to assume bigger role in
regional security and in their own defense - and both appear willing... Under new accord... Japan
will defend itself, deal with such threats as ballistic missilesand commando attacks and invasion
of its own islands. US will deploy latest missile defense radar".
Associated Press"Maritime Authorities OK Tracking Measure"New York Times 19 May
06:-"Maritime authorities have agreed upon new legislation that will allow for long-range tracking
of merchant ships - a key measure in tackling the threat of seaborne terrorist attacks, the UN
International Maritime Organization said [19 May]. A total of 166 countries have agreed to the
new rules for merchant vessels, which would also allow countries to conduct surveillance on
vessels suspected of carrying illicit cargo.Organization said signatory governments had
provisionally agreed to the changes in the Safety of Life at Sea convention... 'Ships will be
required to transmit their identity, location and date and time of theirposition to be tracked by
satellite', said UN shipping agency's external relations officer... New legislation will mean a
ship's position can be identified up to 1,000 nautical miles from shore. Current systems
arelimited to a range of a few hundred nautical miles... Merchant vessels trading in international
waters willneed to switch to new long-range system by Jan 08, offering maritime authorities a
system similar tothat used by air traffic controllers";
Associated Press "U.S. Says Missile - Defense System Limited" New York Times 22 Jun 06:- "US
said [22 Jun] missile-defense system under development has 'limited operational capability'to
protect against weapons such as the long-range missile North Korea is said to be near firing.
National Security AdviserStephen Hadley underscored US calls for North Korea to abandon any
plans for testing the missile believed capable of reaching US soil. 'We're watching it very
carefully and preparations are very far along', Hadley said... In Washington, a top Pentagon
official said that a missile launch would be 'aprovocation and a dangerous action'that would lead
US to impose 'some cost'on North Korea. [Tough UNSC resolution was later passed after a short
flight by Taepodong-2 missile.] Hadley, who briefed reporters while traveling with President
Bush in Europe[to G8 summit],.. spurned a suggestion by former Defense Secretary William
Perry that US launch a pre-emptive strike against the North Korean missile...US has spent
hundreds of millions of dollars on missile defense systems during the past few decades.'We
have a missile defense system... what we call a long-range missile defense system that is
basicallya research, development, training, test kind of system', Hadley said. 'It does... have
some limited operational capability. [P]urpose, of course, of a missile defense system is to
defend... the territory of US from attack'" . AP "U.S. Military Intercepts Missile in Test" "A Navy
ship on [22 Jun] intercepted amedium-range missile warhead above the earth's atmosphere off
Hawaii in the latest test of the US missile defense program, the military said. Missile Defense
Agency said test had been scheduled for months and was not prompted by indications that
North Korea was planning to test launch a long-range missile. USS Shiloh detected a
medium-range missile after it was launched from the Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai,
then fired a Standard Missile-3 interceptor. Interceptor shot down the target warhead after it
separated from its rocket booster, more than 100 miles above the Pacific Ocean and 250 miles
northwest of Kauai, the agency said in a statement. The test marked the seventh time in eight
attempts the military has successfully shot down a missile target with an interceptor fired from
a ship.It also was the second successful attempt by a ship to shoot down a separating target.
Medium- andlong-range ballistic missiles typically have at least two stages, increasing the
challenge for interceptors,which must distinguish between the body of the missile and the
warhead... Japan agreed to jointly develop missile defense technology with US late last year,
broadening an earlier bilateral research pact" .
Associated Press "Rumsfeld Cautions on Missile Shield" New York Times 27 Aug 06:- "[US]
Defense Secretary Donald H.Rumsfeld sounded a note of caution about expectations that
interceptors poised in underground silos [in Fort Greely, Alaska] would work in the event of a
missile attack by North Korea...Ten silos house single 54-foot-long missile interceptors. If
ordered by [US] president,.. one or more ofthe rockets would blast into the sky and race at more
than 18,000 mph to launch a small 'kill vehicle'atan enemy warhead as it soared through space.
An 11th interceptor is to be installed. [Asked whether ready for use against a North Korean
missile,] Rumsfeld said he would not be fully persuaded until themultibillion dollar defense
system has undergone more complete and realistic testing. [He said] some elements of the
missile defense system are yet to come on line, including some of the radars and other sensors
used to track the target missile,.. but stressed that advisors... have told him they believe it will
work as designed in the event of an actual missile attack. [On 31 Aug] an interceptor based at
a second site [in California] is scheduled to be tested against a target missile launched into the
Pacific from Alaska's Kodiak Island. That will be the first full-up test of the latest version of the
interceptor and its 'kill vehicle', a device attached to the nose of the interceptor. [T]he 'kill
vehicle'is designed to use its own propulsion system and optical sensors to lock onto its target
and, by ramming into it at high speed,obliterate the warhead and any payload it might carry.
[This] test also will be first use of an early-warning radar... to provide the data required to put the
interceptor on a proper path toward its target... A furthertest, now scheduled for Dec, will try for
an intercept. At a news conference, Rumsfeld said that North Korea's leaders showed, by their
test-launch of multiple missiles on 04 Jul 06, a determination to'continue to improve their
capability and to threaten and attempt to blackmail other people'. He said theyalso are a threat
to spread missile technology to terrorists. 'I think the real threat that North Korea poses in the
immediate future is more one of proliferation than a danger to South Korea', he said... Rumsfeld
said US intelligence about the intentions of North Korean leaders is not very good, but he said
it is clearthat the overall condition of the North Korean military has deteriorated" ; David S.Cloud
"Rumsfeld Sees Some Progress in Missile Plan" New York Times 27 Aug 06:- "Secretary of
Defense Rumsfeld said [in Fort Greely, Alaska] that while the fledging US ballistic missile
defense system was becoming more capable,he wanted to see a successful full-scale test before
declaring it able to shoot down a ballistic missile...Bush administration has taken the unusual
step of deploying the system which is designed to shoot down a limited number of missiles
before testing is completed and before all radars and sensors necessary to track incoming
missiles are in place. Rumsfeld [said] system was aimed at protecting against attacks from North
Korea and Iran, which he called 'rogue states that are intent on developing long-range ballistic
missiles' ... The goal this week is to see if sensors in the so-called kill vehicle can recognize an
incoming warhead, not to actually hit it... But... it employed a target that in its size andspeed was
representative of missiles that might be fired at US. In last two flight tests, the system haltedthe
firing sequence before the interceptor missile left its silo... Even so, after the second failed test
in Feb 05, the system was taken down until Dec 06. [A]s many as 40 are supposed to be installed
by next year. The other interceptor site is... in California, where two interceptors are in silos...
Bushadministration is also looking at locations for an interceptor site in Europe that would
protect US and parts of Europe from missiles launched from Mideast. [C]ould be in place in four
years if Congressprovides the money... Sergei Ivanov, defense minister of Russia, [also in
Alaska] did not directly criticize US system, but called for 'transparency'by Bush administration,
a term meant to convey Russia's concern about any modifications to the system that could take
its capabilities beyond stopping a small number of missiles" .
Associated Press "Annan Paints Grim Picture to Assembly"New York Times 19 Sep
06:-"Addressing world leaders for last time as UNSG, Kofi Annan painted a grim picture of an
unjust world economy, global disorder, widespread contempt for human rights, and appealed
for nations/peoples to truly unite. As theannual UN General Assembly [UNGA] ministerial
meeting got under way, 192 UN member states facedambitious agenda including trying to
promote Mideast peace, curb Iran's nuclear ambitions, get UN peacekeepers into
conflict-wracked Darfur, promote democracy... Annan, whose second five-year term ends 31 Dec
06, said the past decade has seen progress in development, security, rule of law - the threegreat
challenges he said humanity faced in first address to UNGA in 97. But UNSG said too many still
exposed to brutal conflict, and fear of terrorism has increased clash of civilizations/religions.
Terrorismbeing used as pretext to limit or abolish human rights, and globalization risks driving
richer and poorer apart, he said. 'Events of last 10 years have not resolved, but sharpened, three
great challenges - unjust world economy, world disorder, and widespread contempt for human
rights and rule of law', Annan said.'As result, we face world whose divisions threaten very notion
of an international community, upon which this institution stands. I remain convinced that only
answer to this divided world must be a truly United Nations' , he said. In annual report, UNSG
touched on some of most difficult issues confronting leaders... [Arab-Israeli conflict; Iraq;
Afghanistan; Sudan/Darfur]. 'Together we have pushed some big rocks to top of the mountain,
even if others have slipped from our grasp and rolled back. But this mountain... is best place on
earth to be',UNSG said.'I yield my place to others with an obstinate feeling of hope for our
common future', Annan said. [UNGA] loud applause/rose in sustained standing ovation".
Deborah Avant "THINK AGAIN: Mercenaries" Foreign Policy No.143(Jul/Aug 04):-a correction of
ten public (mis)concepts about the current activities and value of (mainly US-employed)
PRIVATE SECURITY FIRMS vs (traditional) MERCENARIES. (See also Sarah V.Percy op.cit.)
Avant first offers widely-believed view about such firms ("Quoted/Under-lined Phrases"); then
states a FIRM ONE/TWO-WORD REACTION; then says at length her views of the actual truth.
"Private Security Companies Are Mercenaries" -NO. "'Mercenary'describes wide variety of
military activities, many of which bear little resemblance to those of today's...corporate
endeavours that perform logistics support, training, security, intelligence work, risk analysis,
and much more". "The Bush Administration Has Dramatically Expanded Use of Military
Contractors" -WRONG. "US ramped up military outsourcing during 1990s, after end of Cold War
brought reductions in force size and numerous ethnic and regional conflicts emerged requiring
intervention" ."Contractors Don't Engage in Combat or Other Essential Military Tasks" -FALSE.
"Although... Rumsfeld said Pentagon would outsource all but core military tasks, these tasks are
changing, and military contractors perform many of them. Contractors have technical expertise
to support increasingly complex weapons systems [and intelligence services for war on
terrorism]". "Military Contractors Are Cheaper than Regular Soldiers" -PROVE IT. "Two
conditions must be present for private sector to deliver services more efficiently than
government: competitive market and contractor flexibility in fulfilling their obligations.
[G]overnments frequently curtail competition to preserve reliability and continuity [and] impose
conditions that reduce contractors' flexibility" . "Contractors Are Accountable to No One" -AN
EXAGGERATION. "Many governments regulate security contractors to greater or lesser degrees
... Contractors are accountable to range of employers and respond most effectively to market
incentives... Use of contractors to avoid governmental accountability is more worrisome.
"Contractors Value Profits More than Peace" -NOT ALWAYS. "Although many critics argue that
military contractors have economic interest in prolonging conflict rather than reducing it,
employees of private military companies rarely have been accused of aggravating conflict
intentionally to keep profits flowing". "Contractors Operate Outside the Law" -FREQUENTLY
"Legal status of contractors varies considerably. Sometimes they are subject to laws of territory
in which they operate and other times to those of their home territory, but too often distinction
is unclear... Status of contractors is even more contentious under international law. Most...
activity falls outside purview of 1989 UN Convention on Mercenaries" . "Only Governments Hire
Private Security Companies" -WRONG. "Security contractors work for governments,
transnational corporations, and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). Oil, diamond, and other
extractive industries hire contractors to guard their facilities, and UN and NGOs employ convoy
guards. In Iraq, nearly every foreign entity... requires private security". "UN Should Outsource
Peacekeeping to Private Contractors" -NO. "Those who advocate that UN hire private contractors
are not looking to replace UN peacekeeping forces. Rather, they hope to make them more
flexible and easier to use... Outsourced peacekeeping is... unlikely. UNSC and UNGA have been
reluctant to consider it because of weak governments' concern that private security forces could
be used against them". "Private Military Contractors Undermine State Power" -NOT ALWAYS.
"Contractors undermine states' collective monopoly on violence. Fact that US, Britain, Australia
and UN hire private security makes it hard for nations that oppose military contracting to restrict
security firms based in their country" . For another excellent (different) description of current
use of mercenaries, see The Economist 04 Nov 06"Mercenaries: Blood and Treasure" (70-1)
:-Highlight is: "In recent decades, mercenaries... pushed to the wilder edges of global conflict:
the 'dogs of war' who fight nasty little campaigns in Africa. But for a new kind of soldier of
fortune, the fighting in Iraq has proved to be a pot of gold". Item's own summary:"After the
windfall of Iraq, where is the next fortune to be found?".
Lloyd Axworthy & Sarah Taylor, "A Ban for All Seasons: The Landmines Convention and Its
Implications for Canadian Diplomacy" International Journal Vol.LIII/No.2(Spring 98):-almost
entirely on techniques used to persuade 122 governments to sign Convention(Dec 97)to
eliminate the manufacture/use/export of anti-personnel landmines. Thrust: "Ottawa process"
required governments and civil society to work together as team. This "soft power" approach
is more appropriate because of changed international issues/relations/outcomes that also call
for more focus on human(vs state)security and humanitarian law.(See Hampson-Oliver op.cit.)
The Economist 04 Dec 04 "Lifting Landmines: Easy To Lay, Hard To Dig Up" (46):-describes how
one of world's worst minefields being cleared, and reports on techniques/global issues, at the
time of an international landmine conference in Nairobi. "Rats, sniffer dogs and armour-plated
bulldozers can help, but most mine-clearing still done by hand, usually by man with pointed
stickand plastic mask." Those in Angola use no metal detectors since ground scattered with
bullet casings as well. De-miners are rarely killed. "In five years since global ban agreed in
Ottawa, nearly 40m landmines ...destroyed. Most were in stockpiles, but some 4m were
painstakingly found and dug up. Nonetheless,devices still kill or maim 40 people/day...Some
armies, such as Sudan's, continue to plant them.Guerrillas and rebels respect no treaties. Only
complete destruction of existing stocks and end to manufacture would cut off supply. But that
would require all countries to sign up to Ottawa treaty. So far144 countries have, but China,
Russia, Pakistan, India, US still refuse. China...considering signing, butUS will not, mostly
because minefields help keep North Koreans out of South Korea...US plans to switch to using
mines that self-destruct after a few weeks(though not always reliably)will be used as excuse
never to sign treaty. Men...will be prodding gingerly for long time yet."
Robert Baer"THE FP MEMO:- Wanted: Spies Unlike Us"Foreign Policy No.147(Mar/Apr
05):-former CIA case officer 1976-97, and author -See No Evil: The True Story of a Ground Soldier
in the CIA's War on Terrorism(New York: Crown Publishers 02), drafts a MEMORANDUM from
himself to Porter Goss, U.S. Director of Central Intelligence, entitled"Getting the CIA Back in the
Game". He writes"CIA is clearly broken, and you have a chance to fix it... Reform is needed
across the board, but the Directorate of Operations(DO) should be your first target. Its mission
- recruiting and running foreign spies - should be the agency's core function.Give DO the tools
it needs, and intelligence analysis will take care of itself...Here are my suggestions(forming
remainder of the MEMO under following headings): Reform the Promotion System; Know Your
Sources;Recruit on College Campuses; Lower the Retirement Age; Stop Relying on Foreign
Governments;Change the Security Clearance System; Recruit on the Dark Side. [I would myself
disagree with the proposed total lack of cooperation with the world's 200 or so "Foreign
Governments". Even the US could not gain unilaterally all the global information it is going to
need. The global danger of all types/sources of terrorism in the world can only be constrained
if all governments ideally/ostensibly work together.Genuine intelligence activity abroad
could/would lie on top of that.]
Sydney D. Bailey and Sam Daws, The Procedure of the U N Security Council (Third Edition)(New
York: Oxford Univ. Press 98):-clearly most complete, authoritative and readable reference book
on how UNSC works(or doesn't). With Council often in news and Canada member, knowing
better what going on, and why, of practical value. There are 400 pages, but all can be read
through quite painlessly as sprinkled with amusing anecdotes. For reference, chapters address
distinct topics: The Constitutional Framework(how and why extraordinary Charter role);The
Council Meets(ever more secret huddles; what about; how methodschange);The People(S-Gs;
Presidents; dreaded P5; from polite quips to slugfests);Diplomacy and Debate(how debates are
won -or stalled while your side wins war);Voting (various species of votes;skullduggery with
veto);Relations with Other Organs(phantom Military Staff; UNGA hordes; TrusteeshipCouncil
immortality; eternal votes over ICJ judges; more skullduggery over S-Gs);Subsidiary
Organs(planting acorns or pulling weeds);New Charter, New Members, New Rules, New Working
Practices, or New National Policies?(UNSC reform deadlock and how to ignore it).Plus 200 pages
of Appendices, on everything. To complete picture, Election of Nonpermanent Members
described by Malone(op.cit.).
Frank Barnaby edit., Building a More Democratic United Nations: Proceedings of the First
International Conference On a More Democratic UN(London: Frank Cass & Co., 1991):-uneven
mix of sensible proposals for UN reform and far-out idealism. Its main value lies in its emphasis
on the injustice of decisions based on one-government-one-vote; its main weakness is the
plethora of unrealistic plans to correct the situation. There are many comments on the
expanding roles of NGOs, of which best are by Lisinka Ulatowska, who admits their limitations,
but who also argues that UN democracy must start with states.
Scott Barrett Why Cooperate? The Incentive to Supply Global Public Goods (New York: Oxford
Univ Press 07):-surprisingly well written -considering the complexity of issues- in: (1) describing
the existing global challenges (e.g. climate change, nuclear proliferation, worldwide pandemics)
and those that threaten the entire planet (e.g. terrorism, physical/chemical/biological instabilities,
asteroids); and (2) reporting on how such problems have been successfully or badly handled
in the past, the rationales involved, and the various cooperations that would/might work best in
future. Barrett's "threat" approach differs from my item "EARTH MUST COOPERATE...", mainly
in stressing "Global Public Goods" actions of the recent past (e.g.often successful United
Nations; wonderful "Montreal Protocol" ozone treaty), whereas my gloomy and concentrated
"page" is designed almost solely to identify: (1) the exploding scale/variety of global threats; (2)
the human tendencies that have created/will create them; and (3) why we must change a number
of very old human views/feelings. Both press broader global diplomacy as essential tool. Most
chapters focus on distinct types of issue/solution. [Even a study of brief bit(s) of 275p would be
valuable.] Titles: Incentives to Supply Global Public Goods [GPG]; (1) Single Best Efforts: GPG
that Can Be Supplied Unilaterally or Minilaterally; (2) Weakest Links: GPG that Depend on States
that Contribute the Least; (3) Aggregate Efforts: GPG that Depend on Combined Efforts of All
States; (4) Financing and Burden Sharing: Paying for GPG; (5) Mutual Restraint: Agreeing What
States Ought Not to Do; (6) Coordination and Global Standards: Agreeing What States Ought to
Do; (7) Development: Do GPG Help Poor States?; Conclusion: Institutions for Supply of GPG.
Anne F. Bayefsky"Enforcing International Human Rights Law"(117-26) in Canadian Foreign
Policy Vol.6/No.1 (Fall 1998):-rapporteur's report of a 1997 experts' conference whose aims were
to improve theenforcement of the six major UN human rights(HR)treaties, and" develop a vision
for the advancement of the treaty regime". Apart from listing 106 very specific recommendations,
eight underlying principleswere identified: (1)HR are universal; (2)HR universality is diluted by
widespread reservations; (3)HR protection is directly related to democracy, good governance
and rule of law; (4)Strength of HR treaty system is equalapplication of standards to all UN
members; (5)International HR law/institutions complement natural HR systems; (6)Good
implementation requires victim's access to state reporting; (7)Full compliance informationis
essential to credible/effective treaty regime; (8) NGOs play vital role in enforcement.
Barbara Beck "The Economics of Ageing: The Luxury of Longer Life" The Economist 27 Jan
96(Survey 1-16):-longer average lifespans worldwide are raising global, and not simply national,
problems in fields like economics and finance, travel and migration, medicine and health care,
social and cultural change, and even moral standards.
Elizabeth Becker "Number of Hungry Rising, U.N. Says" New York Times 08 Dec 04:-UN agency
Food and Agriculture Organization(FAO)makes ominous report: for first time in almost decade,
estimated number in the world going hungry has increased. Despite overall increase in global
wealth, FAO states, after slow/steady decrease, chronically hungry rose to nearly 852m(18m
increase since 00); 5m children aredying of hunger annually. FAO senior claimed world now
producing more than enough food, so problemis access to jobs/resources/land/money to buy
food. UN's International Labor Organization(ILO)reported that record 1.4b(half world's
workers)earn less than $2 daily. Oxfam reported that global aid budgets now total half of level
in 60. Yet UN's Millennium Development Goals, pledged by all the world's governments, set
targets to halve extreme poverty/hunger by 15." At least 80% of world's chronically hungry live
in rural areas and over half...subsistence farmers. Competition from world's wealthiest farmers,
heavilysubsidized by rich governments,...blamed in part for the inequity. Trade ministers have
promised to continueworking to reduce agricultural subsidies/supports at global trade talks next
year[WTO].In measuring hunger [FAO]considers calorie intake/amount of food
available/inequities in access to food supplies. Thirtycountries [Asia/ Africa/Latin America]cut
percentage of hungry people at least 25% over last decade byreducing conflict/focusing
...programs on rural areas/small farmers.[This is fundamentally critical, since]children under
three most vulnerable to disease/death. Without proper nutrition, it is difficult for these children
to ever recover/lead productive lives."
Zanny Minton Beddoes, "Global Finance: Time for a Redesign?" The Economist 30 Jan
99(1-18):-excellentSURVEY: (1)identifies perceived and objective problems with generally
uncontrolled, if IMF- "cushioned" ,world financial system;(2)describes often radical, mutually
incompatible, and/or unfeasible reform plans;(3)offers some more modest but workable
proposals. Dangers include certainty of crises if systems are not changed; IMF's "moral-hazard"
role not reduced. Reform ideas range from IMF-abolition, through capital controls, to creation
of global regulator, central bank, or world currency. Incompatibleobjectives remain: maintaining
national sovereignty/ regulating financial markets/benefiting from global capital markets.
Proposals:(1)rich states can improve norms of own financial markets;(2)can
encourageresponsible creditor behaviour;(3)institutions must innovate.
Zanny Minton Beddoes, "From EMU to AMU? The Case for Regional Currencies" (8-13)in Foreign
AffairsVol.78/No.4 (Jul/Aug 99):-Washington economics writer for The Economist predicts that
by 2030 the world will have two major currency zones, result of regional currency unions. Whole
of Europe will use euro, whilewhole Western Hemisphere and possibly parts of Asia will use the
dollar. Reason is that: "Regional currencies will prove the best route to reconciling the economic
imperatives of increasing international capital mobility with the political realities of the
nation-state" (8). More specifically, many emerging economies will have to curb capital flows,
so the author argues by examining other options(floating exchange rates, fixed rates, currency
boards)that most efficient way is currency union since it makes most credible commitment to
stability, acting as "bulwark against protectionism" (13).
Zanny Minton Beddoes, "The International Financial System: Think Again" (16-27)Foreign Policy
No.116(Fall 1999):-the Economist's Washington economics correspondent argues against,
qualifies, or supports numerous widely-held views about a need for new global financial
architecture: a global market for capital does not yet exist; most just moves about. Allowing free
capital movement in and out of a countrymay stimulate economic growth, if action is not
premature. Recent emerging-market crashes are worse, but not more frequent, than before. Their
"contagion" is not always irrational. Most crises are caused by weak banking systems, helped
by lack of "due diligence" by foreign banks. Most ideas for new "global financial architecture"
are ill-advised and/or politically unfeasible. Reforms should not concentrate on capital flows
control; at most dissuade short-term flows. A global central bank is unrealistic and imperfect.
IMF merits some criticism and "moral hazard" concerns, but bailouts are not to blame for
international economiccrises, and few private investors escape lightly. Major lessons have been
learned.
Yves Beigbeder, Internal Management of United Nations Organizations : The Long Quest for
Reform(Basingstoke: MacMillan Press, 1997). -a thorough and balanced study of the structure,
characteristics and faults of the UN System to 1996. This valuable primer and reference work
contains chapters on: leadership; the System; decentralization issues; management; financing;
fraud and losses; staff selection; staff remuneration; gender issues; staff legal protection;
unions. Many proposed reforms are explained, often they are supported, and all are specifically
evaluated one way or the other.
Christopher de Bellaigue "THINK AGAIN: IRAN" Foreign Policy No.148 (May/Jun 05) (18-24):-like
other FP issues, correction of nine public concepts; here: about Iranian nuclear weapons
production/use or its positive response to stiff US pressure. Author first outlines widely-held
views ("Under-lined Statements"); states FIRM REACTIONS; and then provides his view of actual
truth. He first provides summary: "Tehran's desire for nuclear bomb has put it in Washington's
cross hairs. But neither President George W.Bush'srepeated condemnations of Iran's clerical
rulers, nor the threat of military force will advance cause ofdemocracy there. When Iran reforms,
it will happen because its youth - not the United States - demands it." "If Iran Gets a Nuclear
Bomb, Iran Will Use It"-VERY UNLIKELY. "Iran almost certainly does not intendto brandish a
nuclear bomb in an attempt to intimidate...Israel/US... Further, clerics have blessed a partial
detente with their Arab neighbours and...EU.[Yet] there is plausible circumstantial evidence ...to
suggestthat Iran's nuclear program is not civilian. [N]uclear ambiguity is calculated, a reaction
to the vulnerability it feels. Iran probably intends to gather all the elements necessary for bomb
making, so that it can gonuclear the moment that it feels an attack is imminent." "Iran Has No
Use for Nuclear Power"-False."Energy needs are rising faster than [Iran's oil/gas] ability to meet
them... Its capacity must nearly triple over 15 years to meet projected demand[,and the electricity
cannot all come] from the oil sector. [Output] has stagnated at around 3.7mbd since late 1990s.
Almost 40% of Iran's crude oil is consumed locally [and the natural] gas reserves are only just
being tapped. It makes sense for Iran to free up its hydrocarbons for export [and] Iran contends
that US may pressure foreign sellers into stopping the flow. [Hence] Iran'sdesire for a complete
fuel cycle is most suspicious aspect of nuclear program"."The Iranian People Support Their
Leaders' Nuclear Program"-NOT REALLY. "Iranians who vocally support... nuclear ambitions...
minority[;] never witnessed spontaneous discussion of nuclear program among average
Iranians...Unlikely many Iranians willing to put up with economic/diplomatic isolation...if Iran
insisted on enriching uranium"."Only the Threat of Force Can Dissuade Iran from Advancing with
Its Nuclear Plans"-DOUBTFUL."Threat...could also...encourage Iran to leave NPT and develop
a nuclear weapon ASAP...[N]ever abandons goal of achieving a nuclear fuel cycle... Iran is more
flexible than it appears...[It might] revise its nuclear plans if US abandoned its [hard policies]
...Ultimately it might refuse to publicly relinquish nuclear goals, preferring instead to extend
current negotiations indefinitely"."U.S. Military Action Would Embolden Dissidents to Topple the
Islamic Republic"-WRONG. "Workers...keeping their heads down andmouths shut... Iranians
don't want Iraq's wretched conditions... Iranians opposed to Islamic Republic lack a unifying
ideology... Possible some Iranians would cheer a US invasion, but not for long". "Criticizing the
Islamic Republic Helps Dissidents Inside Iran"-NO. "Bush's repeated statements of support for
Iranian people do not help normal Iranians... Publicly defending beleaguered reformists simply
allowed clerics to accuse reformers of being US lackeys...US criticism has perverse effect
because US has no diplomatic or economic relations with Iran, and hence no leverage. EU and
others [have] some modest leverage with Iran's clerical rulers". "If Iraq Becomes a Democracy,
so Will Iran"-WISHFUL THINKING. "Border is about all they share...Few Iranians...question Iran's
integrity within its current borders. Same is not true in Iraq...Iran set up a semi-democratic,
anti-Western, Shia theocracy... Clerics today enjoy considerable prestige"."Iran Cannot Be
Reformed from Within"-WRONG AGAIN. "Iran can and will be reformed from within.
Demographics make that course inevitable. Some 70% of Iran's 70m citizens under age of 30,
and young Iranians are more reform-minded than older groups... Young people resent existing
political restrictions more than their elders, and are less religiously observant... Spread of
material values and sexual freedom is palpable, as is desire for smaller families...Young people
display little animus for once-hated US...[Yet]reform-minded millions lack common ideology/
leadership... New generation will... spur further reform. Process would benefit from critical
dialogue with US, rather than current, glowering standoff".
Christopher Bellamy Knights in White Armour: The New Art of War and Peace(London:
Hutchinson-Random House 96):-although it concludes with detailed proposals for a permanent
UN force along lines of UN Legion(Conetta-Knight op.cit.)and/or Canadian "Rapid Reaction
Capacity" submission(op.cit.),main thrust relates to nature and implications of recent basic
changes in global and national security, war, armed forces. Hence sees need for key UN role.
Fanny Benedetti & John L.Washburn "Drafting the International Criminal Court Treaty: Two
Years to Rome and an Afterword on the Rome Diplomatic Conference" Global Governance
Vol.5/No.1(Jan/Mar 99):-pending book on subject, should constitute definitive diplomatic history
of negotiation of what may well be seminal global treaty. Agreement to establish ICC legally
significant as move towards acceptance of global rule of law. Moreover Court's role to punish
perpetrators of globally-agreed-on heinous crimes if states do not take action may have
substantial political influence on national/international behaviour. Even negotiations set
precedents: e.g.direct/massive NGO participation; new voting alliances; tough tactics( "package"
rather than consensus decision-making);willingness to isolate US(see Wedgwood
op.cit.).Invaluable account of verycomplex UN processes.
Samuel R.Berger"Foreign Policy for a Democratic President"Foreign Affairs Vol.83/No.3(May/Jun
04):-aimed at those concerned about weaknesses in US foreign policy of Bush regime,
andneeds/opportunities in modified policies of any Nov 04-elected Democratic(or amended)
regime. Most issues discussed of global relevance, and many stress US relations with foreign
entities, particularly NATO/UN/international law. This mentions those of global importance
discussed in some detail. US administration's "high-handed style and its gratuitous
unilateralism" about its military, economic and cultural aims, embittered even those abroad most
likely to embrace US values. New US regime "no moreurgent task than to restore...global moral
and political authority, so when we decide to act we canpersuade others to join us. Achieving
reversal will require forging new strategic bargain with closest allies...Democratic approach to
resolving disputes with Europe over treaties should be pragmatic, focused on improving flawed
agreements rather than ripping them up" .US policy towards Israel-Palestine conflictmust return
with energy/urgency. Regarding Afghanistan/Pakistan and Iraq," Bush administration's
unilateralist approach has let allies off hook: given them excuse to shirk these and other global
responsibilities. Democratic administration would not be so dismissive of allies on issues that
matter to them" since exercises truly international rather than exclusively US. Similar
approaches are relevant to spread of weapons of mass destruction(WMD)." Democratic
administration should use every tool at disposal to prevent WMD threats from arising before
force becomes only option" . Listed issues include Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction
Program with Russia, and "global effort to secure nuclear materials at all such sites" .Others
sites described are North Korea and Iran. Non-Proliferation Treaty(NPT)might add "new bargain"
helping non-nuclear countries develop nuclear energy. Many more issues are brief.
C.Fred Bergsten"Foreign Economic Policy for the Next President"Foreign Affairs Vol.83/No.2
(Mar/Apr 04):-this is identified as the first in a series of commissioned essays on foreign policy
concerns for the next president. After recommending US initiatives to improve a number of trade
and related programs, Bergsten concludes:" [F]oreign economic policy could rescue overall US
foreign policy. The US' s biggestproblem in the international arena is its tendency to act
unilaterally on a range of issues. Such...is demonstrably ineffective and thus thankfully rare in
the economic domain. The international economicinitiatives proposed in this essay would
convey a new image of US foreign policy while furthering US national interests. They should rank
high on the agenda of the next US president.
C.Fred Bergsten"The World Economy: The Risks Ahead for the World Economy" The Economist
11 Sep 04(63-5):-director of Institute for International Economics in Washington DC, author was
invited to explain why policymakers - particularly in US and China - must take action now to avert
real danger of global economic problems. Essay's introduction makes case clear: "Five major
risks threaten world economy. Three centre on US: renewed sharp increases in current-account
deficit leading to crash of dollar; budget profilethat is out of control; and outbreak of trade
protectionism. Fourth relates to China, which faces possible hard landing from its recent
overheating. Fifth is that oil prices could rise to $60-70 per barrel even without major political
or terrorist disruption, and much higher with one...If two or three...were to occur incombination
then they would radically reverse global outlook." Related action must be taken by number of
governments, both to maintain global growth and "avoid deeper oil stocks and new
traderestrictions." While there are considerable highlights about US and Chinese financial and
trade policies, both subjects are now clearly more and more of world impact and importance.
[Hence internationalcooperation to ensure economic growth is increasingly of global necessity;
"nationals" at WTO/IBRD/IMF..meetings must think globally.] Economist 13 Nov 04 "China: The
Emperor Is Not Always Obeyed" (46):-article reports little on China's high growth rate, and much
on new limits to Beijing's role/ability to determine the nature/rate of economic growth.
"[M]any...new contradictions from central planning andstate ownership to something nearer
market economics. Upstart private firms...now play important role in bringing new vitality to
China's industries. But some essential things - such as bank credit and political support - still
flow much more readily to state-run enterprises.[C]entral government has sought to limit
economic overheating with mix of macroeconomic and administrative measures. Last month's
interest-rate increase, China's first in nine years, was preceded by series of orders curbing bank
lending and restricting fixed-asset investments, especially in...industries...At local/provincial
levels, however, officials have understandably remained keen to keep up growth rates/tax
revenues/employment figures.[S]een imposition of any measures designed to slow economic
activity rather as they might look at a toxic-waste dump: vital for greater good ...but better in
someone else's backyard.[Beijing]has gone from issuing orders to merely'trying to convince
local governments that centre's policies are in their own best interests' .That task...has been
complicated by rising influence of private firms...which can now muster wherewithal toinvest in
capital-intensive projects.[C]entral government faces continuing struggle to control flow
ofmoney and investment. It remains fairly effective in regulating bank lending...'but there are
huge sums of private money sloshing around that Beijing cannot control'.[H]iring/firing of
officials throughout bureaucracy[is now]best defence against rebellious local governments
[but]mice out there far outnumber indignant cats of Beijing."
C.Fred Bergsten"A Partnership of Equals: How Washington Should Respond to China's
Economic Challenge"(57-69) Foreign Affairs Vol.87/No.4(Jul/Aug 08):-official summary:"Despite
its growing economic clout, China continues to act like a small country with little impact on the
global system at large and therefore little responsibility for it. Behavior threatens to undermine
the existing international economic architecture. To avoid a major train wreck, Wshdc should
seek todevelop true partnership with Beijing so as to provide joint leadership of global economic
system"-e.g. trade/finance/energy/climate. Bergsten:Director, Peterson Institute for International
Economics. Essay adapted from his forthcoming, co-authored book, China's Rise: Challenges
and Opportunities (Peterson Institute and Center for Strategic and International Studies, 08). See
very current: Elizabeth C.Economy & Adam Segal "China's Olympic Nightmare: What the Games
Mean for Beijing's Future"(47-56):-off.sum:"The 2008 Olympics were meant to be China's global
coming-out party. But on the eve of Games, Beijing finds itself beset by internal protests and
international condemnation on issues ranging from Darfur/Tibet to air pollution/food safety. If
these challenges cannot be peacefully/successfully addressed, China risks losing its credibility
as a global leader". Economy: C.V.Starr Senior Fellow and Director for Asia Studies at Council
on Foreign Relations. Segal:Maurice R.Greenberg Senior Fellow for China Studies at CFR.
Bruce D.Berkowitz"War Logs On: Girding America for Computer Combat" Foreign Affairs Vol.79/
No.3 (May/Jun 00) :-reports that attacking an opponent's computer networks(and defending your
own) have become matters of interest and concern as natural elements of warfare. Several
developments make opportunities/dangers both obvious and irresistible. (1)Computers are now
involved in every aspectof world's armed forces - a dependence making them vulnerable, and
creating multiple targets. (2)Civiliansociety depends more on computers, too, using networks
even more vulnerable than military systems. (3)Modern telecommunications are linking world's
computer systems, so any data-processing devicelinked to communications networks is
vulnerable. (4)Weapons/technology usable for computer warfarekeep improving; lasers/
microwaves for electronic attack may be replaced by(false?)electronic data. (5)Strategy/ tactics
are also being improved, to deceive, confound and confuse opponents. Computer warfare must
be fully integrated into planning, perhaps years ahead, and involves very complex policyissues
concerning targeting, secrecy, oversight, and defense.
Christoph Bertram"Multilateral Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution" Survival Vol.37/No.4(Winter
95-96):-examines potential role of UN etc. through study of recent military conflicts. Seeks to
determine most successful conditions to prevent or halt conflict, and how military force can best
be used to this end.
Maurice Bertrand, Some Reflections on Reform of the United Nations(Geneva: Joint Inspection
Unit 85):-one of most insightful analyses ever made of what reforms might and should be made
to UN administrative and financial structure. No punches are pulled by this extremely
experienced, well-informed expert, subsequently much in demand.
Tony Blair"A Year of Huge Challenges" The Economist 01 Jan 05(By Invitation 44-6):-British PM
presents two major global initiatives, to urge G8 to organize and substantially pay(Britain: 05
president).Essay makes strong cases in favor since, "with threat from international terrorism and
spread of weapons of mass destruction.,. they are most serious problems facing world today
[and] problems beyond power of any single country...Solution requires co-ordinated
international action, and above all leadershipwhich G8 is uniquely placed to give. The two
initiatives relate to solving African issues and attacking climate change. Here the only material
summarized is on Sorting Out Africa. "[P]lagued with problems - debt, disease, conflict,
corruption, weak governance - so embedded/widespread that no continent, no matter how
prosperous, could tackle on its own.[Details of problems provided.]Should this matter to rest of
world?For democratic governments, it should, because it matters to our citizens.[I]t can't be
morally right, in world growing more prosperous/healthier,..that one in six African children still
die before fifth birthday. Worldwide campaign to make poverty history rightly challenges us to
act...We must now all accept utter futility of trying to shut our borders to problems
abroad.[Famine/conflict]create conditions for terrorism/fanaticismto take root and spread[to
globe.] Prosperous Africa, where people have chance to fulfil their talents, is in all our interests
[while] sheer scale of Africa's problems can induce understandable sense ofhopelessness.
Governance been improving faster...than in many other areas[,and]Africa Union
playingincreasing role in settling conflicts.[B]est way to reduce poverty is through economic
growth. [This]can be increased by aid[that involves greater donation/effectiveness.] But to help
Africa continue progresswe need...coordinated global effort[,including]concerted action to
improve opportunities/growth, reduce debt, tackle HIV/malaria/TB, fight corruption, promote
peace/security. We also need to tackle trade barriers...I hope G8 will agree not only to plan of
action but also to its implementation, a process of monitoring and review. We all need to be
accountable for carrying out commitments we have made." Changing Climate is on "twin" item,
to keep their lengths reasonable. Starts are similar, but theirmain texts/distributions differ.
Tony Blair "A Year of Huge Challenges" The Economist 01 Jan 05(By Invitation 44-6):-British PM
presents two major global initiatives, to urge G8 to organize and substantially pay(Britain: 05
president).Essay makes strong cases in favor since, "with threat from international terrorism and
spread of weapons of mass destruction.,. they are most serious problems facing world today
[and] problems beyond power of any single country...Solution requires co-ordinated
international action, and above all leadershipwhich G8 is uniquely placed to give. The two
initiatives relate to attacking climate change and solving African issues. Here the only material
summarized is on Changing Climate. "[N]o country will escape its impact. And there can be no
doubt...world getting warmer. Temperatures already risen by 0.7C over past century, and ten
hottest years on record all occurred since 91[;] fastest rise in temperatures in northern
hemisphere for thousand years. This...has meant rise in sea level that, if continues as predicted,
will meanhundreds of millions...increasingly at risk from flooding[, plus]other extreme/
increasingly unpredictable weather events such as rainstorms/droughts will also have heavy
human/economic cost... Overwhelming view of experts is that climate change, to greater or
lesser extent, is man-made and, without action, will get worse...But just as technological
progress/human activity have helped cause problem, also within our power to lessen impact/
adapt to change.[N]eed to act now. Delay will only increase seriousness of problems...and
economic disruption required to move to more renewable energy and sustainablemanufacturing
in future. G8 needs to lead. Kyoto protocol[coming into force]is good news, but...change/
ambition required will be far more[and, with US refusal to sign,]makes measures we could
secure through G8 even more vital." US/Britain have national/state legislation and leading
investment/research under way, and firms' lower-emission status gaining commercial
advantage." We are at stage where role of government/global policy must encourage
development/commercial viability of new technologies that have potential to mitigate effects of
climate change...G8 can take global lead both inmaking world aware of scale of problem and
proposing ways to tackle. G8[also]opportunity to agree onwhat most up-to-date investigations
of climate change are telling about the threat[, and]engage actively withother countries' growing
energy needs...to ensure they meet needs sustainably and adapt to adverse effects of climate
change, which seem inevitable. Sorting Out Africa is on a "twin" item to keep their lengths
reasonable. Starts similar but main texts/distributions differ.
Alan S.Blinder"Eight Steps to a New Financial Order"Foreign Affairs Vol.78/No.5(Sep/Oct 99):-
Aim:minimize the frequency, intensity, contagion of financial crises; above all their impact on
innocents.Channels: changes in national practice; IMF reform. Advice:(1)Don't fix your exchange
rates. They crumble under speculative attack. Rates pegged to hard currency sometimes
justified.(2)Borrow less in foreign currency. Especially risky, if short-term. IMF/governments
should discourage.(3)Don't rush to open capital markets. Capital inflow controls slow hot
money. Supervise.(4)Follow sound macroeconomic-financial policy. Top:bank supervision/
accounting standards. (5) Austerity is not always right medicine. In a world short of aggregate
demand (and little inflation or need to defend exchange rates)it may have negative effect.
(6)Devote more to protecting innocent bystanders. Don't bail out foreign creditors while local
poor drown.(7)Agree on orderly debt settlement procedures. Maybe collective action bond
contract clauses, mandatory debt rollover.(8)Prevention is better than cure. Contingent credit
lines; graduated ratings.
John Q. Blodgett "The Future of UN Peacekeeping" The Washington Quarterly 14(Winter 91):-bit
dated for fast-changing fields, but offers many useful insights of permanent value. Also provides
handy definitionsrelevant to current debates.
Jane Boulden "Building on the Past: Future Directions for Peace-keeping" Behind the Headlines
48(Summer 91):-excellent survey of peace-keeping principles/how might improve. Relevant to
current issues; Canadian orientation.
Elise Boulding & Jan Oberg"United Nations Peace-Keeping and NGO Peace-Building: Towards
Partnership" in Chadwick F.Alger edit. The Future of the United Nations System: Potential for
the Twenty-First Century(New York: U N Univ. Press 98):-argues NGOs worldwide can contribute
to UN peace-keepingeffectiveness by developing networks of "civilian peace teams that
co-function with military/civilian peace-keepers." Also detailed proposals about integrating such
teams into Department of Peace-Keeping Operations complete with appropriate organization
charts.[Rather unrealistic, given political objections to NGO inclusion in UN decision-making;
NGOs' proud autonomy. Urgent need for all NGOs to cooperatemore, with both others and
UN/government bodies in complex emergencies. More expert "practitioners in mediation/
negotiation/conflict resolution" also welcome, but case for NGO teams weak.]
Boutros Boutros-Ghali,"Empowering the United Nations"in Foreign Affairs, 71 (Winter 1992-93).
- the Secretary-General calls for a number of reforms, particularly in the "peace and security"
field. These include a special fund for peacekeeping, and standby troops and equipment. This
essay broadens the canvas of his official 1992 report"Agenda for Peace"and partly anticipates
his less sanguine 1995"Supplement" (op.cit.).
Boutros Boutros-Ghali et al. "UN Peacekeeping: Challenging a New Era" Brown Journal of World
AffairsVol.III/Issue1 (Winter/Spring 96):-exceptionally constructive/very informative selection of
16 essays by knowledgeable diplomats/ academics/UN Secretariat personnel on all aspects of
UN's peacemaking role, i.e. peacekeeping taken broadly.
Newton R.Bowles United Nations: Less is More? A Report on the Fifty-Third General Assembly:
September-December 1998(Report to Group of 78/United Nations Association in Canada)(New
York:www.unac.org 99):-author is inter alia UNICEF Senior Advisor on Children/War/closely
involved in UNGA/other UN meetings. Excellent report covers not only highlights of 98 UNGA but
variety of related UN issues over year e.g. Security Council developments. Topics covered
selectively but analytically:Overview; General Debate(tone/highlights);Globalization (dialogue/
business-liaison);ODA/FDI Resources;Human Rights/development/UN casualties; Humanitarian
Intervention; Security Council(evolution);Conflict Prevention(education); Peacekeeping;
Disarmament(new trends);Africa(war/ poverty);Crime(ICC/Tribunals/terrorism/drugs);NGOs/Civil
Society; UN Management/Funding.
Newton R.Bowles United Nations: Hedge or Taels? A Report on the Fifty-Fourth General
Assembly: September-December 1999(Report to Group of 78/United Nations Association in
Canada)(New York:www.unac.org 00):-valuable impressions of tone/highlights of UNGA Regular
Session/related developments, particularly in Security Council. Subject titles(and main points):
World in 99(better prospects than 98; praise for UNSG/UNGA President; radical UNSG speech:
humanitarian law before sovereignty(text: Annex 1);no UNSC reform but more open; progress
on UN human rights and development role); General Debate(main value: networking/
stage-setting; main theme: massive human rights violence, armed conflict within states; major
points of notable speeches);Human Security Issues(follow-up to "Agenda for Peace" particularly
prevention; key: broad "international approach to poverty, human rights and social/economic
development" (UNGA President Statement: Annex 2);UNSC renewed activism but no progress
on membership or veto; special problems of Africa); HIV/AIDS(stress on Africa where death toll
10 times that of wars; Statement by UNAIDS Executive-Director: Annex 3); Conflict Prevention
(improved early-warning/prevention strategies; seek social/economic root causes);
Peacekeeping (major forcesin Kosovo, Sierra Leone, East Timor, DR Congo total well over 30,000
in 00(Operations in Annex 4);International Justice(international criminal law fairly controversial
compared with civil law; Yugoslavia and Rwanda Tribunals started from scratch but improving;
International Criminal Court: 30 Jun deadline will be met; current: new convention on terrorism
financing, working on conventions re nuclear terrorism and comprehensive anti-terrorism;
planning international conference and transnational crime convention;Disarmament(gloomy:
START II stuck in Duma; CTBT refused by Congress; ABM may be weakened or ignored;
Conference on Disarmament is paralysed; Special Assembly Session on Disarmament
unlikely;NPT review conference also unlikely; Resolution on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space
passed, but US resumed anti-missile tests; practical progress on implementing/completing
agreements on Chemical and Biological weapons, Landmines, Heavy Weapons register, Small
Arms Trade; Development(of LDC needs-investment, markets, debt relief, only ODA is
responsibility of UN proper(and aid is declining),but UN-Bank/Fund relations closer; North-South
dialogue also less confrontational; "Agenda for Development" stresses good governance/
accountability/participation/social security; UNSG WTO speech(Annex 5)highlights LDCs' need
to share globalization; 01 all-issue conference on financing development will bring in all
stakeholders); UN Aid(of $50b annual ODA, $5b through UN and $5b World Bank; UN stresses
social concerns/human development; UNDP major effort to coordinate multilateral aid better);
Business and Labour(UNSG challenged big business at Davos to "Global Compact" tocooperate
with UN on human rights/labour standards/environment; positive response from ICC; ICFTUalso
undertook to support);Humanitarian Activities(natural disasters cost $500b in 90s; armed
conflicts cost $200b in external aid, so probably over $1 trillion overall; UN priority to avoid or
mitigate natural disasters or conflicts);Human Rights(most humanitarian law written since WWII;
much being added; all aspects of human (mis)behaviour come together at UN under human
rights; UNSC adopted strong/comprehensive policy on protecting civilians(Annex 6); in
Kosovo/East Timor, UN creating entirecriminal justice and human rights systems; UNHCHR
investigating standards in 21 fields worldwide);Women's Advancement(Special UNGA Session
on Women(Jun 00)will examine implementation of BeijingConference decisions; UNGA studied
new report on role of women in development);Children(Tenth Anniversary of Convention on
Rights of Child; UNSC resolution "strongly condemns targeting of children in situations of
armed conflict" );Finance and Management(main focus again US budget arrears followed by
highly-conditional part-payment; 00-01 biennium budget $2,535m, up a symbolic $3m; staff
managementstill slow/cumbersome; excellent final report of 5-year "Internal Oversight"
(quoted));Civil Societies(getsmore into basic issues of development-globalization; UNSG for
tripartite "Global Compact" :UN-business-civil society);(Annex 7:Current Membership of UN
Organs).
Charles G. Boyd"Making Bosnia Work"Foreign Affairs Vol.77/No.1(Jan/Feb 98):-international
community's greatest problem, years after Dayton Accord: how to achieve aim of creating unified
Bosnia. After intense local investigation, concludes this impossible for foreseeable future, and
only solution is de facto partition, with security and economic aid provided to all groups,
continuing foreign presence, and long healing period.Letters Vol.77/No.3(May/Jun 98):offer some
counter-arguments.[My own inclination is to agree, and give up trying to create traditional
sovereign state where one has never existed before and at time when feelings are so intense.
Emphasis should be on down-grading significance of any borders in area and increasing
economic modernization/integration of Balkans so ethnicity becomes "private"
matter(again)while all benefit from working together.]
Duane Bratt "Peace Over Justice: Developing a Framework for UN Peacekeeping Operations in
Internal Conflicts" Global Governance Vol.5/No.1(Jan-Mar 99):-while UN's "purpose" is to
"maintain international peace/security" ,many Charter references to human rights make clear
second objective to improve political/economic/social justice. Priority and resource dilemmas
arise when aims equally demanding or mutually exclusive, mainly in facing internal conflicts.
Argues that, besides Charter ranking, obvious precedence of saving lives and doing most urgent
first, means peace must have priority. Moreover, thisreduces perception of UN "imperialism" and
alien priorities as well as criticism UN forces "helping" one sideby(aiding in)delivering
humanitarian assistance or seizing war criminals. Still, agonizing global "triage" may be only
solution to choosing among "peace" options.
Hans Gunter Brauch, Czeslaw Mesjasz & Bjorn Moller"Controlling Weapons in the Quest for
Peace: Non-Offensive Defence, Arms Control, Disarmament, and Conversion"(15-53) in
Chadwick F.Alger edit.The Future of the United Nations System: Potential for the Twenty-First
Century (New York: United Nations Univ. Press 98):-while giving special emphasis to peace
research, offers fine summary of disarmament/arms control history, concentrating on UN
post-Cold War events. Some points made: UNGA has negotiated/ implemented most UN arms
treaties(even UNSCOM's role in Iraqi derived from NPT); S-G's 1992 Report emphasized
integration of arms regulation into peace/security agenda, globalization of disarmament process,
further WMD reductions, more proliferation control, arms trade limitations, more transparency
in arms and other CBMs; relative failure of conversion; several disarmament research proposals.
Christopher Bright, "Invasive Species: Pathogens of Globalization" in Foreign Policy No.116(Fall
99):- this essay summarizes Life Out of Bounds: Bioinvasion in a Borderless World(New York:
W.W.Norton & Co., 1998). Bright claims: "World trade has become the primary driver of one of
the most dangerous and least visible forms of environmental decline: thousands of foreign,
invasive species are hitch-hiking through the global trading network aboard ships, planes, and
railroad cars...This' biological pollution'is degrading ecosystems, threatening public health, and
costing billions" (50). Counter-policies largely ineffective, control mechanisms(UN?)relatively
undeveloped, global integration makes the situation ever worse. Bright offersmuch information:
animal, plant, insect, pathogen species; means of transport; various costs. His agenda:control
ballast release(IMO); fix Sanitary/Phytosanitary Measures act(WTO); build global database(UN?).
William J.Broad & David E.Sanger"As Nuclear Secrets Emerge, More Are Suspected" New York
Times 26 Dec 04:- extraordinary article, over six printed pages long, that contains so much
fascinating material thatsummary is not feasible. Following material from item's beginning and
end, however. "When experts fromUS and [UN's]International Atomic Energy Agency[IAEA]came
upon blueprints for 10 kiloton atomic bomb in files of Libyan weapons program earlier this year,
they found themselves caught between gravity/pettiness. Discovery gave experts new
appreciation of audacity of rogue nuclear network led by A. Q. Khan, a chief architect of
Pakistan's bomb. Intelligence officials had watched Dr. Khan for years andsuspected he was
trafficking in machinery for enriching uranium to make fuel for warheads. But detailed design
represented new level of danger, particularly since Libyans said he had thrown it in as
deal-sweetener when he sold them $100 million in nuclear gear...Nearly a year after Dr. Khan's
arrest, secrets of his nuclear black market continue to uncoil, revealing a vast global enterprise.
But inquiry has beenhampered by discord between Bush administration and nuclear
watchdog[IAEA], and by Washington'sconcern that if it pushes too hard for access to Dr. Khan,
national hero in Pakistan, it could destabilize ally. As result, much of urgency has been sapped
from investigation, helping keep hidden full dimensions of activities of Dr. Khan and his
associates...Worried about what is still unknown, IAEA quietly setting up...Covert Nuclear Trade
Analysis Unit, agency officials disclosed. It has about half dozen specialists looking for evidence
of deals by Khan network or its imitators. "I would not be surprised to discover thatsome
countries pocketed some centrifuges," Dr ElBaradei[IAEA]. "They may have considered it a
chance of a lifetime to get some equipment and thought,'Maybe...good for rainy day.'"
L.Anathea Brooks & Stacy D.VanDeveer, edit., Saving the Seas: Values, Scientists, and
International Governance (College Park: Maryland Sea Grant 1997):-although focused on
environmental management of enclosed and coastal seas, book is not technical for those with
any interest in big environmental issues. It takes broad/thoughtful look at every major aspect of
environmentalism, using coastal seas as intrinsically critical and complex "eco-challenges" to
justify discussion of many global problems. Sections diverge in focus: Values, Places, Nature
(environmentalists' moral, cultural, aesthetic bases); Scientists, Certainty, and Knowledge
(scientific viewpoints and inevitable limitations); International Governance, Actors and
Institutions(changing international relations theory/practice; the negative effect on
environmental politics);Approaching Ecosystem Governance (ongoing/potential regional-global
systems for good international governance). As each Chapter stands alone, you can savor the
book as/where you like.
John Browne, "Beyond Kyoto" Foreign Affairs Vol.83/No.4(Jul/Aug 04):-substantial, sympathetic,
expert arguments by BP executive that, as 1997 treaty now blocked, its vital action be updated.
"Kyoto Protocolis coming unraveled. Despite nearly a decade of effort, it may not even enter into
force as a binding instrument...Canada, Japan, and European Union...are not on track to meet
their commitments[and US haswithdrawn entirely.]...Clear-eyed realism is essential. But
display...is mistaken reaction. There is scope for different and more positive view...First, it has
become obvious that Kyoto was simply starting point of very long [progressing] endeavour.
Second, we have improved, if still imperfect, knowledge of challengesand uncertainties climate
change presents, as well as better understanding of time scales involved. Third,many countries
and companies have had experience reducing emissions and have proved that suchreductions
can be achieved without destroying competitiveness or jobs. Fourth, science and
technologyhave advanced on multiple fronts...Finally, public awareness of issue has grown - not
just in developed world but all around the globe. [It] is becoming clear that reduction of
greenhouse gas emissions is soluble problem, and that mechanisms for delivering solutions are
within reach. In that spirit of cautious optimism, it is time to move beyond current Kyoto debate."
Bulk of text amplifies each of five points.
Bill Bryson A Short History of Nearly Everything(New York: Broadway Books 03):-pre-bestseller
author of many/widely-varied books, undertook "informative journey into world of science,.. his
greatest challenge yet: to understand - and, if possible, answer - oldest, biggest questions...
about the universe and ourselves... Result is a sometimes profound, sometimes funny, and
always supremely clear/entertaining adventure in the realms of human knowledge"(publisher).
Even new "lavishly illustrated" Nov 05 hardcover edition of 624pp available from Barnes & Noble
to all @US$28.00. Favourable Ed Regis NYT review(18 May 03)states:"Bryson achieved exactly
what he'd set out to do, and, moreover, [did] it in stylish, efficient, colloquial and stunningly
accurate prose... The basic facts of physics, chemistry, biology, botany, climatology, geology -
all these and many more are presented with exceptional clarity and skill". My own reaction is that
this easily available/readable reference on all not-personally-specialised scientific subjects
should ideally be read - or at least be used for topic-reference - by all in this very unstable world.
R.A.Buchanan The Power of the Machine: The Impact of Technology from 1700 to the Present
(London: Penguin Books 94):-approach differs from, say, Bell, Drucker or Toffler(op.cit.)in that,
in analysing accelerating transformation of society, it deals more with physical than societal
changes, with new structures more than their social implications. While UN actions must reflect
both trends-and resulting concerns- "most pervasive/persistent stimulus to change has been
technological combination of scientific discovery and technical innovation" .For truly
revolutionary example of technology being explored, see K.Eric DrexlerEngines of Creation: The
Coming Era of Nanotechnology (New York: Anchor Press/Doubleday 87):-genuine feasibility of
creating assembly machines smaller than living cells generated increasing attention from 1990s
because of their multiple uses. For an excellent 18-years-later account of global nanotechnology
activities/anticipation, see Natasha Loder "Small Wonders: A Survey of Nanotechnology" The
Economist01 Jan 05(1-12):-key point "Nanotechnology will give humans greater control of matter
at tiny scales. That is a good thing." Enormous, if scientifically basic, concept behind booming
business initiatives isexplained, and" point about nanotechnology is that it sets out deliberately
to exploit strange properties found in these very small worlds." Four other essays summarized:
"Apply Here: Where very small thingscan make big difference." "Fear and Loathing: Some of
worries about nanotechnology are rational." "Downsizing: Companies both large and small
hope to make big money from tiny particles." "Handle with Care: Nanotechnology promises
great benefits, but safeguards will be essential." Drexler's idea" that one day all manufacturing
would be done by very tiny robots" had raised terror; but now activity/research quite
specific/monitored. Survey concludes" idea of 'democratising'nanotechnology - giving ordinary
people more of say in what areas of S&T should bepursued - unlikely to be helpful.[N]ext to
impossible to slow down or control some areas of science in one country when world so
interconnected...Nanotechnology, like any new discovery, offers both risks and
rewards...Scientists should...work with as little hindrance as possible."
Hedley Bull The Anarchical Society: A Study of Order in World Politics(Second Edition)
(Houndmills: Macmillan Press 95):-new edition of seminal work on state system surprisingly
retains original 77 text. ItsUN-relevant aim was to determine whether system would/should
survive -and alternatives. Concluded very little change was possible or needed. Interest today
derives from how much of original argumentundercut by extraordinary changes of past 20 years,
particularly constraints on state sovereignty by:globalization of information/manufacture/
finance; new global imperatives/power centers/vacuums; novel capacities/threats. For firm
support see Hoffmann(op.cit.).
Richard W.Bulliet edit. The Columbia History of the 20th Century(New York: Columbia Univ.
Press 98):-these encyclopaedia-quality essays describe the transforming and accelerating trends
and developmentsthat produced "greatest one-century period of change in human history" (1)
and hence UN's challenges. Subjects covered: high vs popular culture; women's role; religion;
athletics; ethnicity-racism;imperialism-decolonization; nationalism; socialism-communism;
international order; war; industry-business; money-economic change; technology-invention;
agriculture; communications; transportation;scientific thought; space-discovery; medicine;
cities; environment; demography-population movement;Epilogue: 21st century. The 1945 global
conditions and attitudes clarify the nature/priorities of UN Charter and structure, how these were
affected by Cold War/decolonization and why adaptation is now essential.
Barry A.Burciul"UN Sanctions: Policy Options for Canada" Canadian Foreign Policy Vol.6/No.1
(Fall 98):-thorough, global effort to improve sanctions, in response to tough facts:(1)sanctions
rarely achieve ends, and often cause unnecessary pain;(2)serve as relatively cheap and risk-free
ways to meet pressurefor "action" ;(3)targeted sanctions often work better than comprehensive.
Priorities: discourage sanctionsif more constructive, humane alternatives exist; ensure strong/
targeted; always consider innocentcivilians. Ideas: wider range of threats, but sanctions
high-cost, so need broad multilateral coalition plus regional/NGO support; humane sanctions
more effectively gain essential support; target states/personsmust be fully understood, to avoid
counterproductive action and find optimum means (travel, sports, culture ban, arms embargo,
even violence); better as deterrent/preventive/threat than as coercion; "sanctions forum" studies
options/support/strategic planning using pooled intelligence to judge hot spots/time limits/
temporary tariffs/lessons learned/finance levers; "humanitarian limits" must protect NGOs,
determine and police exemptions; enforcement must be rapid/specific/ coordinated/
committed/informed, and include border surveys.
Jason Burke"Al-Qaeda: Casting a Shadow of Terror"(New York: I.B.Tauris & Co 03):-while I read
this book long after summarizing Burke‛s valuable article in 04 Foreign Policy(op cit), many of
author‛s FP views also stated/implied in book, so aren‛t repeated. Book, however, is a valuable -
and concentrated(300 pp) - report on the origins/members/relationships/aims of "al-Qaeda" in
global terms, plus involvement of bin Laden to events of 11 Sep 01. Material is derived from both
author‛s extraordinary interviews/experience and information from many other personal sources.
Advice in book‛s conclusion is of special importance - and has much in common with
"Christopher Spencer" item: "We [West] need to counter the twisted vision of world that is
becoming so prevalent. Every time force is used it reinforces that vision by providing more
evidence of a ‛clash of civilisations‛ and a ‛cosmic struggle‛... ‛War on terror‛ should have a
military component [:] hardened militants cannot be rehabilitated[; b]ut if we are to win battle
against terrorism, our strategies must be made broader and more sophisticated. [G]reatest
weapon available in war on terrorism is the courage, decency, humour and integrity of the vast
proportion of the world‛s Muslims [-] restricting the spread of ‛al-Qaeda‛ and its warped
worldview. [B]attle between West and men like bin Laden...is not a battle for global supremacy.
It is a battle for hearts and minds [-] battle we, and our allies in the Muslim world, losing. [Yet all]
modern Islamic terrorism... can be acted on by well-judged, properly executed policies. Causes
of terrorism must be addressed, careful analysis of...threat...undertaken, moderate Muslim
leaders engaged, spread of hardline strands of Islam rolled back, and enormous effort to counter
growing sympathy for ‛al-Qaeda‛ worldview must be made... All terrorist violence, ‛Islamic‛ or
otherwise, is unjustifiable/unforgivable/cowardly/contemptible. But just because we condemn
does not mean we should not strive to comprehend. We need to keep asking why"(249-50).
Jason Burke"THINK AGAIN: Al Qaeda"Foreign Policy No.142(May/Jun 04):-summarizing (global)
public (mis)concepts about current capacities and aims of al Qaeda forces and ideas, and its
future strength, Burke, chief reporter of Britain's Observer and author of Al Qaeda: Casting a
Shadow of Terror(New York: I.B.Tauris 03)(op cit),offers nine widely believed views about issues,
and then denies accuracy of each. "Al Qaeda Is a Global Terrorist Organization" -NO. "It is less
an organization than an ideology...Today, structure that was built in Afghanistan has been
destroyed... There is no longer a central hub for Islamic militancy. But al Qaeda workview... is
growing stronger every day." "Capturing or Killing Bin Laden Will Deal a Severe Blow to Al
Qaeda" -WRONG "If...he surrenders without a fight, which is very unlikely, many followers will
be deeply disillusioned. If he achieves martyrdom in way that his cohorts can spin as heroic, he
will beinspiration for generations to come. Either way, bin Laden's removal from scene will not
stop Islamic militancy. "The Militants Seek to Destroy the West So They Can Impose a Global
Islamic State" -FALSE "Islamic militants' main objective is not conquest, but to beat back what
they perceive as an aggressive West. [S]econdary goal is establishment of...single Islamic state,
in lands roughly corresponding to furthest extent of Islamic empire." "The Militants Reject
Modern Ideas in Favor of Traditional Muslim Theology" -NO "Islamic hard-liners...have little
compunction about embracing tools that modernity provides... [M]ilitants are framing modern
political concerns ...within mythic and religious narrative. They do not reject modernization per
se, but...resent their failure to benefit from that modernization." "Since the Rise of Al Qaeda,
Islamic Moderates Have Been Marginalized" -INCORRECT "Al Qaeda represents lunatic fringe
of political thought in Islamic world. While al Qaeda has made significant inroads in recent years,
only tiny minority of world's 1.3b Muslims adhere to its doctrine." "The Israeli-Palestinian
Conflict Is Central to the Militants' Cause" -WRONG "Televised images... reinforce militants' key
message that lands of Islam under attack, and that all Muslims must rise up and fight.
However,...resolution...would not end threat of militant Islam...Two-state solution...would still
leave 'Zionist entity' intact." "Sort Out Saudi Arabia and the Whole Problem Will Disappear" -NO
"Inequities of Saudi system... continues to create sense of disenfranchisement that allows
extremism to flourish...Saudi Arabia is one of many causes of modern Islamicmilitancy, but it has
no monopoly on blame." "It Is Only a Matter of Time Before Islamic Militants Use Weapons of
Mass Destruction" -CALM DOWN "Although Islamic militants...have attempted to develop basic
chemical or biological arsenal, efforts have been largely unsuccessful due to technical
difficulty...Islamic militants far more likely to use conventional bombs or employ conventional
devices in imaginative ways." "The West Is Winning the War on Terror" -UNFORTUNATELY, NO
"If countries to win war on terror, must eradicate enemies without creating new ones...Invasion
of Iraq...has made task more pressing... Bin Laden's aim to radicalize/mobilize. He is closer to
achieving goals than West is to deterring him."
Jason Burke"It May Well Take 20 Years. But al-Qaeda‛s Days Are Numbered"Guardian 10 Sep
06:-Special Report by expert/famous journalist, published five years after "9/11", claims: "Osama
bin Laden waits in vain for a Muslim ‛awakening‛. The lure of the West is just too powerful a
force". Full Burke text (plus 70 optional pages of the item‛s wide Email reactions) is available:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/alqaida/story/0,,1869182,00.html. Highlights: "There is a sense that
history, far from ending, is accelerating. That the centre cannot hold. That the individual counts
for nothing. [Burke‛s reactions to some of bin Laden‛s 01 claims: H]e was wrong. Yes, there is
increasing radicalisation. Yes, a new and powerfully globalised ‛Muslim‛ identity is spreading,
aided by communications technology that renders national frontiers obsolete. Yes, there is a
small, if growing, number of Muslims who are attracted to ‛al-Qaedism‛ in its largest sense. But
truth is that out of a total of 1.6b Muslims, very few have joined terrorist organisations. In [some
Muslim] countries... there has been strong counter-reaction to the atrocities... World‛s Muslims
are not behaving as bin Laden wants them to... The [London] bombs were a strike against a
continuing and largely successful process of integration on a national scale. The attacks across
the world in the past five years are strikes against a similar process of integration on an
international scale. This process is largely driven by the continuing popularity and attraction of
the Western model of secular liberal democracy, Enlightment values, and capitalist economics.
It is the success of this model that has provoked the violence against it, not its failure. [N]eed
to ask why so many people... recently came to view the apparently ineluctable process of
Westernisation. [T]he arithmetic of terrorism means that you only need a small shift in public
opinion to create enough angry individuals to cause a major problem... The appeal of the West
is founded not just on a dream of a high level of material comfort but also on the satisfaction of
basic and universal human values such as dignity, protection of life and justice. This gives West
considerable moral capital,.. a fragile commodity... profligately spent in recent years... But for
all the clumsiness with which the misconceived ‛war on terror‛ has been handled, the attraction,
however conflicted, of ‛the West‛ for billions of people remains our greatest strength. Remember
that and, over 10 or 20 years, it will become clear bin Laden‛s life or death will indeed have no
significance. He and his kind will have been consigned to the history books". Related Burke
volume is:On the Road to Kandahar(Bond Street Books 06 or St. Martin‛s Press 07)"From one
of world‛s leading experts..how we are to get to grips with radical Islam/what it really means".
Richard Butler "Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered: Repairing the Security Council" Foreign
AffairsVol.78/No.5 (Sep/Oct 99):-former UNSCOM Executive Chairman(Iraq disarmament
supervision)on most urgent problems facing UN Security Council. Sees as particularly dismaying
last 12 months, "during which council was bypassed, defied, and abused" by misuse/threat of
veto. This was granted to permanent members(P5)solely" to allow them to prevent council
decision authorizing use of force against them[yet they]weighted their narrow national interests
over collective responsibility." Council must address two key areas:(1)new informal rules should
reduce matters subject to veto(US initiative critical);(2)P5 should not judge Council's ultimate
role in enforcing arms control treaties on subjective political basis. Must also keep their NPT
promises.
Barry Buzan and Gerald Segal, Anticipating the Future: Twenty Millennia of Human
Progress(London: Simon & Schuster 1998):-this book is both stimulating and misleading -points
made in Reviews in both The Economist 14 Feb 98(12)and Foreign Affairs Vol.77/No.2(Mar/Apr
1998)(134-9). In spite of its title, almost entire book deals with broad sweep of human past and
present, in order to put 1998 and our possible futures into focus. It does it clearly/usefully if in
fairly orthodox terms. "Future" section anticipates UN system stymied, mainly by US, requiring
replacement. My criticism is that it underestimates depth and acceleration of current global
change(INTRODUCTION or Bull-op.cit.).
Kevin M.Cahill edit. Preventive Diplomacy: Stopping Wars Before They Start(New York: Basic
Books 96):-unusually valuable/varied source of information/views on UN issues by 20 top
experts in their fields. While "preventive action" and medical parallel provide unifying theme of
sorts, each(UN/diplomatic/NGO/government/medical, etc. background) provides unique and
often unexpected focus. A good trend!
Frances Cairncross The Death of Distance: How the Communications Revolution Will Change
Our Lives(Boston: Harvard Business School 97):-superb survey for non-experts. Major
globally-relevant points:distance will no longer determine costs of electronic communication;
location will no longer be key in most business decisions; most people will get access to
omni-address, two-way, picture-capable, selective filterablenetworks; global bonds will join
like-minded; roles of home and office will become blurred; distanceeducation will be easy; there
will be rapid and global information dispersal; qualified people will become ultimate scarce
resources; state info-control and privacy will both be reduced; while there will be global pay
levelling for similar work, there will be more divergence by job; global/urban migration will
lessen as standards level; taxes will be harder to collect, so they will be lowered to attract skills;
cities will concentrateless work but more culture; English will strengthen its global role, but
cultures will generally be reinforcedby new opportunities; written communication will improve
in quality; governments will become moresensitive to public views; cause of peace will be
helped by mutual experience/needs among people. Many trends will stress increased global
cooperation. See also Brief: TV globalization Economist 29 Nov 97(71-2). UN System will be
constantly and increasingly affected by these developments, and as they create anever more
interdependent world, will be required to(help)organize/ administer necessary global regimes.
Frances Cairncross, "A Survey of E-Management: Inside the Machine" The Economist 11 Nov
00(1-40):-whileaimed at business, text relevant to development,
economics/finance/jobs/education, globalization, government, HR, law, S&T, many UN roles.
"Change has not only become more rapid, but also more complex and more ubiquitous" (5).
Behind resulting uncertainty in all forms of management liesInternet/related technologies, whose
evolution/impact only just starting. It offers new communicationsand distribution channel,
market place, information system, and tool for creating goods and services, all driven by
dramatic falls in cost of handling/transmitting information. It produces "almost instant"
andpossibly huge productivity gains, at minimal expense for hard- and soft-ware, but demands
ten times that investment in new "organizational capital" .Survey analyses: internal
communications; links with suppliers/sources and customers/consumers; organizational
changes; good e-management. Last needs:1.Speed;2.Good People;3.Openness;4.Collaboration
Skills;5.Discipline;6.Good Communications;7.Content-Management Skills;8.Customer
Focus;9.Knowledge Management;10.Leadership by Example.
Frances Cairncross "A Survey of Illegal Drugs: High Time" The Economist 28 Jul
01(1-16):-excellent report on global status, system and knowledge of illegal drugs. It makes
strong case for their legalization, aimed mainly at current situation in US. In essence, drug
industry consists of production, transport and saleof "simple agricultural extracts and chemical
compounds...for astonishing prices[,which]directly reflectthe ferocious efforts by the rich
countries to suppress [them]" . Effect is to create huge -and highly profitable- escalation from
production to import to retail prices. Per kilo, farmers get $90 for opium and $610 for coca
leaves. Import prices of resulting heroin and cocaine are about 10-15% of retail prices in rich
countries, where heroin can sell for $290,000 and cocaine powder for $110,000 per kilo. Annual
globaltobacco sales total $204b; alcohol $252b; rough guesses of illegal drugs sales
vary:$150b(author);$400b(UN)(3). Much material is derived from a major new study: Robert
MacCoun and Peter Reuter Drug War Heresies: Learning from Other Vices, Times, and
Places(Cambridge Univ. Press). Cairncross argues that, while not underestimating harm drug
misuse can do to individuals and "moral fury drug-taking can arouse,...outrage has turned out
to be a poor basis for policy" . In US, where anti-drugpolicy costs $35-40b a year, it has "eroded
civil liberties, locked up unprecedented numbers of young blacks and Hispanics ...corroded
foreign policy[and]proved a dismal rerun of[Prohibition. Yet as US now]probably consume[s]
more drugs per head...than most other countries[,its]experience demonstrates the awkward
reality that there is little connection between the severity of a drugs policy...and prevalence of
use...At the heart of the debate...lies a moral question: what duty does the state have to protect
individual citizens from harming themselves?" (4/5). Here she supports John Stuart Mills' "On
Liberty" :'Over himself, over his own body and mind, the individual is sovereign'. "So a first
priority is to look formeasures that reduce the harm drugs do, both to users and to society at
large" (5). "Big Business" describes recent history and current structure of global drugs
industry: where and how drugsoriginate, are processed, shipped, and sold and who is involved
at various stages/places. In sum: "drugs industry is simple and profitable. Its simplicity makes
it relatively easy to organize; its profitability makes ithard to stop. At every level, its pricing and
its structure are shaped by the high level of risk from enforcement" (6). "Choose Your Poison"
discusses who uses drugs and why. Most drug users live in thepoor world(China, Pakistan,
Colombia). Future growth will be concentrated in developing countries andformer USSR.
Markets with big money are in rich world - which also prefers drugs with fewest side-effectsand
least likely to cause addiction. Most drug users are "occasional dabblers" ,so a minority of
usersaccount for bulk of consumption. "Most drugs do not appear to be physically addictive"
(including cannabis and amphetamines)but: "Heroin is a true addiction, with a recovery rate of
40-50%...With cocaine, therecovery rate is around 90%" (9). A third of US heroin users are
dependent(80% of cigarette smokers areaddicted). Idea that soft drugs lead on to hard drugs
turns out to be nonsense. "The Harm Done" deals with drugs' negative effects on users and
society. Abusing drugs wrecks many lives. For those dependent, pleasure -often their original
motive- "consists mainly of avoiding the pain of giving up[;however, m]ost drug users ultimately
stop when drugs no longer fit their lifestyle.[Also, with exception]of heroin, drugs contribute to
far fewer deaths among...users than...nicotine or alcohol[,and c]onsuming a drug is rarely the
only cause of death" (9)(dirty needles). Although drugs may affect brain activity(even cannabis
might possibly do damage), The Lancet concludes:" It would be reasonable to judge cannabis
less of a threat than tobacco or alcohol" ,while it could help treat nausea, appetite loss, pain and
anxiety. Besides healthproblems, drugs have been linked to domestic violence, grogginess, bad
driving, and much petty crime.Here government is right to intervene -but best way is not
necessarily to ban drugs. "Stopping It" describeshow governments try unsuccessfully to stop
the flow of drugs. US Prohibition, though milder than its drug policies, foreshadowed many
current problems. Most important, " the attempt to stamp out drugs has had effects more
devastating than those of the drugs themselves" (10) - and on global stage. Because of vast
profits, reflecting low costs/high prices, suppression of drug-growing in some regions simply
shifts production/related problems, with little durable effect on supply. Even huge drug seizures
do not affect prices, and essential corruption can be bought at all levels. Demand is also hard
to reduce despite harsh penalties, because of popular cultures, huge numbers who want to buy,
and desperation of addicts. "Collateral Damage" looks at varied indirect costs of criminalizing
drugs. Among "victims" : Law enforcement and legal system are at minimum distorted, with
investigative and court standards loweredand at worst corrupted. Mere drug users jailed(US
mandatory minimum: 5-10 years for possession of few grams of drugs)for usually harmless
and(in Mill's sense)strictly personal acts. Many released dangerouslyscarred, drug-addicted
and/or HIV-infected. Basic civil liberties and freedom from state intrusion are at minimum
constrained. Education/social benefit/job impeding criminal records are branded on previously
non-criminal and perhaps exemplary citizens. US rate of incarceration for drug offences(74%
black)is totally at odds with the racial mix of drug users(13% black)because more
blacks/Hispanics have to buy(vulnerably)on the street. Both huge US costs of drug enforcement
and substantial drug taxes are unavailable for better purposes, while criminals/rogue states
enjoy revenues of $80-100b a year. "Better Ways" probes variousalternatives to enforcement for
controlling drug use. Education is a possibility, but apparently has at bestlimited effect. For
habitual drug users, "harm reduction" is more promising(methadone programs,
needle-exchange centres, prescription heroin). Very successful Swiss program includes all three
in its "heroin maintenance" clinics. These care for 1000 most problematic of 33,000 Swiss heroin
addicts. Most are given anti-addictive heroin-substitute methadone, but most "chaotic" are
initiallygiven "pharmaceutical" heroin daily. They are not pushed towards abstinence since:
"People can tolerate regular doses of heroin for long periods, but if they give up for a period and
then start again, they run a big risk of overdosing" (14). Of those who drop out of full "heroin
maintenance" , two-thirds move on to either methadone or abstinence. Even while still on heroin,
most can get full-time jobs, end trouble with police, and hardly ever attempt suicide or contract
HIV. Vast majority are also taking cocaine on first arrival(29%: daily)but after 18 months 93% take
it never or only occasionally(there is no" methadone" for cocaine). Dutch "principle of
expediency" aims to "separate the markets for illegal drugs to keep users of'soft'ones away from
dealers in the harder versions, and to avoid marginalising drug users" (14). While cannabis
remains illegal, some" coffee shops" may sell small quantities under strict rules without
prosecution. Both Swiss and Dutch governments want to legalize marijuana but restrain because
UN convention prevents themfrom(formally)legalizing " possession of and trade in cannabis"
. US opinion is moving in same direction, andseveral states(plus Canada) already allow medical
use of marijuana(73% of US supported this by 1999). "Set It Free" addresses issue of how best
to decriminalize drugs if it is so decided. They would effectively be put on par with tobacco and
alcohol, and both possession and trade would have to be legalised, but under systems which
could reflect each drug's relative danger and with appropriate quality control. Number of users
would inevitably rise. (1) Prices would certainly be lower(maybe much lower)since
appropriatetaxes could not be so high as to encourage smuggling and crime again. (2) Access
to drugs would beeasier and quality-assured. (3)Social stigma against use of drugs would
diminish. (4)Might be strongcommercialization with corresponding pressure to consume more.
(5)Even with consumer age-limits,younger market is certain to grow. But "nobody knows quite
what drives the demand for drugs" (16); itmay respond most to price, to fashion, to social
standards - or to local culture. Hence best to move slowly, thus building experience, and
cautiously start with just marijuana and amphetamines. International cooperation is needed to
"minimise drug tourism and smuggling" (UN role?). Hard drugsshould be sold only through
licenced outlets(pharmacies?). Above is well summarized in Editorial "The Case For Legislation"
(11-12), although it makes "stronger case for principle" (John Stuart Mill)and terrible harm drug
trade in doing in poor world. Finally it notes that good health and safety rules could be
applied.Economist 25 Aug 01 Letters: "Legalising Drugs" (16-7):-includes number of reactions
to above. Majority raise disagreement, but all are thoughtful and constructive.
Canadian Committee for the Fiftieth Anniversary of the United Nations, The, Canadian Priorities
for UN Reform: Proposals for Policy Changes by the UN and the Government of Canada(Ottawa:
UN Association in Canada/Canada Communications Group, 1994):-report contains an overview
of why and how the UN system needs not just reform, but to adapt substantially to rapidly
changing global conditions. It then offers 52 recommendations under six groupings: Security
Council Reform; Finances; Agenda for Peace; Arms Proliferation; Agenda for Development;
Agenda for Human Rights. Some of these became Canadian policy.
Canadian Council on International Law and The Markland Group edit. Treaty Compliance: Some
Concerns and Remedies(London: Kluwer Law International 98):-papers/recommendations from
meeting on "Compliance Systems for Disarmament Treaties" held under editors' auspices,
Toronto 95. Papers revised/expanded/updated. Essence of
Recommendations:(A)Biological/Chemical Weapons Treaties:(1)guidelines on limitations of
defensive research; (2)CWC national penal legislation should also bind governments;(3)study
whether mid-spectrum agents fit BWC or CWC;(4)UN Center for Disarmament should be able to
tabulate/disseminate CBM data for BWC;(5)BWC scrutinize compliance reports after technical
analysis;(6)citizen compliance concerns should be recognized;(7)BWC/CWC parties should
disseminatetreaty obligations using NGO/foundations' help;(8)legal assistance treaties to
combat anti-BWC/ CWC transnational conspiracies.(B)Nuclear Treaties:(1)IAEA should reinforce
special inspections;(2)increase IAEA budget;(3)security assurances against WMD
threat/use;(4)help involve public/science community inverification.(C) Humanitarian/Human
Rights Treaties:(1)compliance/verification: be expert, automatically triggered, and respond to
citizen/NGO/government information;(2)NGOs: participate fully in reviewconferences;(3)national
legal regimes: ensure: treaty implementation; individuals/groups get effectiveaccess/redress;
legal profession knows scope/ availability of international legal standards;(4)arms
controltreaties: provide for NGO information; (5)compliance/ sanctions: use trade mechanisms,
weapons producers, financial institutions;(6)effective dissemination of human rights/arms
agreements: be monitored by independent global body. Papers' Essence: Kim S. Carter, Apply
Humanitarian Law Compliance/Enforcement to Arms Treaties; James F. Keeley, Compliance and
the NPT: Safeguards/Supply Controls; Christine Elwell,Trade/Environment Compliance Measures
Enhance Conventional Arms Treaties(Landmines-UN Peacekeeping);Douglas Scott/A. Walter
Dorn, CWC Compliance Regime-Summary/ Analysis; Nicholas A. Sims, Strengthen BWC/CWC
Compliance Regimes.
Ingvar Carlsson, Shridath Ramphal et al., Our Global Neighbourhood: The Report of the
Commission on Global Governance (New York: Oxford Univ. Press, 1995):-an outstanding and
realistic package of recommendations, including ideas for UN reform with something for every
UN group. Wisely, it was not prepared by government delegations but was collectively compiled
by team of 28 top-level and independent experts including Maurice Strong. Section: New World;
Values for Global Neighbourhood; PromotingSecurity; Managing Economic Interdependence;
Reforming UN; Strengthening Rule of Law World-Wide; Call to Action. Among most feasible sets
of all-or-nothing proposals. Marie-Josee Massicotte "Global Governance and the Global Political
Economy: Three Texts in Search of a Synthesis" in Global Governance Vol.5/No.1(Jan-Mar
99)reviews Commission's Report as well as Richard Falk, On Humane Governance: Toward a
New Global Politics(Pennsylvania: Penn Univ. Press, 95)and Ronnie D. Lipschutz,Global Civil
Society and Global Environmental Governance: The Politics of Nature from Place to Planet(New
York: SUNY Press, 96). She takes theoretical approach to all three to determine whether their
interpretation of "global governance" meets her Marxist "progressive" viewpoint. Carlsson is
not radical enough; proof of his realism!
Ingvar Carlsson,"The U.N. at 50: A Time to Reform"Foreign Policy No.100(Fall 1995):-a summary
of the main recommendations of the Carlsson-Ramphal Report(Ibid.). See also Lee-Anne
Broadhead,"Commissioning Consent: Globalization and Global Government"International
Journal Vol.LI/ No.4 (Autumn 1996):-critique of the Report, mainly arguing it is not radical enough
in resisting globalization(i.e.not perspective-guided).
Carnegie Commission on Preventing Deadly Conflict: Final Report(New York: Carnegie
Corporation 97):-while containing little particularly original or radical, concentrates on making
well-argued and convincing case for much more and earlier preventive diplomacy, particularly
by UN. Among proposals(all op.cit.)from well-qualified and independent membership: better
intelligence for/by UN; more S-G personal initiatives; better-targeted economic sanctions;
"inducements" for peace; use of conditionality; preventive deployments; UN rapid reaction force;
non-deployed nuclear weapons( "in escrow" );tighter verification for all arms treaties; making
development more sustainable; rule of law; involvement by NGOs, religions, science, schools,
business, media.
Ted Galen Carpenter edit. Delusions of Grandeur: The United Nations and Global Intervention
(Washington: Cato Institute 97):-Cato aims to further "traditional American principles of limited
government, individual liberty, and peace." Libertarian view inclines it to oppose
multilateralism(it inter alia limits US global freedom of action)and all constraints on free
enterprise. Topics: UN in Perspective; Peacemaker-Peacekeeper; Bureaucracy-Funding-
Corruption; Social and Environmental Agenda; Economic Development Role. 18 essays clearly
stress Cato views. Only five sympathetic to UN aims/activities; 10 or so reasonable, even if bit
selective or broad, in criticism. Last deliberately distort, and in their narrow-minded, selfish
jingoism, exhibit true "delusions of grandeur": John Bolton: " [Clinton] forgot that UN was
instrument to be used to advance America's foreign policy interests, not to engage in
international social work..." (51; his emphasis)! Provides rationales of many US anti-UN views.
Geoffrey Carr, "The Alchemists: A Survey of the Pharmaceutical Industry" in The Economist 21
Feb 98(1-18):-Survey claims scientific/technological revolution is sweeping this industry. It
describes new technologies being developed and used, examines huge present/probable future
changes in industry'sstructure, and asks what this could mean for future health care.
Anticipates:(1)increase in range of diseases treatable with drugs; (2)increase in drug precision
and effectiveness;(3)increase in ability to anticipate disease. Each trend is accelerated by new
genetic insights and will have major global impact. But terriblerich-poor economic issue of drug
patents/costs: unprobed.
Peter, Lord Carrington et al. Words to Deeds: Strengthening the U.N.'s Enforcement Capabilities
- Final Report of the International Task Force on the Enforcement of U.N. Security Council
Resolutions(New York: UNA-USA 97):- ten world figures reached constructive and expert
consensus with genuine prospects of implementation. Among 29 conclusions: give priority to
preventive diplomacy and strengthened enforcement machinery; UNSC primacy for enforcement
to be respected and reinforced; Chapter VIIresolutions to be clear, specific, consistent,
unambiguous, realistic and well-supervised, to includeoperational plans, regular consultations
with states involved and world-class experts, and securely use and share all sources of relevant
information; resolutions on non-military sanctions to be specific, fully costedfor all affected,
monitored, given a timeframe, focused if possible, and to draw on expert advice; military
operations to have very clear mandate, strategic oversight, post-conflict follow-up and be
decisive; overhaul Military Staff Committee to give UNSC best advice, and to consult with others
involved; since for now ad hoc coalitions more likely than standing UN or stand-by forces,
develop capability inventory, a roster of earmarked units, a common doctrine, rules of
engagement and training, and tighter UNSC oversight; support regional bodies with preventive
measures, financial, material, and logistic help, and better inter-group coordination.
Ashton B. Carter "How To Counter WMD" Foreign Affairs Vol.83/No.5(Sep/Oct 04):-ex-US
Assistant Secretary of Defense (under Clinton)and currently Co-director, Harvard Preventive
Defense Project, writes just when:most are concerned that US attacked Iraq by mis-claiming
WMD threat; US presidential election imminent. Concerned that since 11 Sep crisis, US
"counterproliferation policies have not been overhauled" ,and" it has made no new efforts to
prevent nonstate actors such as terrorists from getting their hands on WMD." He truly decrees
much reliable advice on countering the serious terrorist/WMD dangers to the entire global
audience, and not to Washington only. His basic view:" WMD generally applies to nuclear,
biological, chemical weapons; ballistic missiles; more recently'dirty bombs,'ordinary explosives
containing some radioactive material. But this definition is too broad. Chemical weapons are not
much more lethal than conventional explosives/hardly...WMD label. Similarly, long-range ballistic
missiles especially destructive only if they have nuclear or biological warhead, and so should
not be considered separate category. Dirty bombs cause local contamination and costly priority.
Primary focus of counterproliferation policy, therefore, should be nuclear and biological
weapons...True overhaul of counterproliferation policy would recognize that, like defense against
terrorism, defense against WMD must be multilayered and comprehensive. Such reforms would
aim to eliminate threat of nuclear terrorism entirely by denying fissilematerials to nonstate actors
and...prepare to contain scale of most likely forms of bioterrorism to minor outbreaks. It would
revamp outdated arms control agreements, expand counterproliferation programs,...improve way
intelligence on WMD is collected and analysed.[W]ould favor countering WMD with non-nuclear
rather than nuclear measures. And it would at last develop coherent strategies for heading
off...most pressing nuclear proliferation threats." Substantial article then amplifies all these
points.
Nayan Chanda Bound Together: How Traders, Preachers, Adventurers, and Warriors Shaped
Globalization(New Haven: Yale Univ Press 07):-this fascinating survey of the development of
globalization since 6000BCE is valuable as a unique reminder - to specialists in history, politics,
economics, religion, movement, technology, science, etc - of how their own knowledge relates
to other specialized information, and to the present/future of the intense/expanding relations
across this planet. (This aim corresponds exactly with my purpose in this information source.)
Style is amusing, and novel in all areas but one's expertise, so it is delicious/constructive in all
unstudied fields and hence globally constructive. Final para offers view that fits closely with that
in Christopher Spencer Oct 06(op.cit.):"We benefit from all that the world has to offer, but we
think only in narrow terms of protecting the land and people within our national borders - the
borders that have been established only in the modern era. [All that separates us] from the rest
of the world... cannot change the fact that we are bound together through the invisible filament
of history. [W]e know how we have reached where we are and where we may be headed. We are
in a position to know that the sum of human desires, aspirations, and fears that have woven our
fates together can neither be disentangled nor reeled back. But neither are we capable of
accurately gauging how this elemental mix will shape our planet's future. Still, compared to the
past... we are better equipped to look over the horizon at both the dangers and the opportunities
...There is no alternative to rising above our tribal interests: over the centuries to come, our
destinies will remain inextricably bound together. [W]e can attempt to nudge our rapidly
integrating world toward a more harmonious course - because we are all connected".
Charter of the United Nations, and Statute of the International Court of Justice(Department of
Public Information, United Nations, New York):-a handy small grey-blue booklet carried by
virtually every UN delegate, and referred to as often as Billy Graham checks his Bible.
Antonia Handler Chayes, Abram Chayes, George Raach, "Beyond Reform : Restructuring for
More Effective Conflict Intervention"Global Governance Vol.3/No.2(May-Aug 1997):-good
business management techniques are tested on the plethora of UN coordination problems in
dealing with conflicts.Conclusions: more responsibilities should be transferred from the center
to the field; there must be better mission definition, strategy development, training and planning;
leaders and members should be better adapted for consensus-building.
Erskine Childers (with Brian Urquhart), Renewing the United Nations System, Development
Dialogue 1994:1 (Uppsala: Dag Hammarskjold Foundation, 1994):-a fine description of the UN
as it is, warts and all, by two long-time experts. They make several constructive
recommendations that clearly influenced the Carlsson-Ramphal Commission (op.cit.).
Erskine Childers, "The United Nations and Global Institutions: Discourse and Reality" in Global
GovernanceVol.3/No.3 (Sep-Dec 1997):-one of Childers' last, if typical, diatribes, it predicts UN's
imminent demise, and accuses "North"of deliberate ill-will, deceit and trickery in supporting free
trade, globalization, market democracy, etc. Supports several worthy, if utopian, reform ideas:
e.g. centralization of UN System; a Parliamentary Assembly.
Jarat Chopra, "United Nations Peace-Maintenance" (312-40)in Martin Ira Glassner edit. The
United Nations at Work (Westport: Praeger 98):-more uniform/all-embracing case for idea of
flexible UN multi-functional governance role than made in Global Governance(Jan/Mar
98)(Ibid.).Hedges "failed states" / "trusteeships" as politically sensitive terms, although many
analysts suspect these may be toughest UN "peace/order/good government" challenges for 21st
century, particularly in Africa. Surveys history of all UN "peace" operations, and concludes its
greatest current problems weak orchestration of complex emergencies, and inclination to act
as mediator when creation of order is first priority, followed by nurturing of stable democratic
society. Kosovo(which post-dates writing)would seem more what Chopra has in mind, though
with full UN political authority.
Jarat Chopra & Tanja Hohe "Participatory Intervention" Global Governance Vol.10/No.3(Jul-Sep
04):-both authors served in UN Transitional Administration in East Timor(UNTAET)and offer
thoughtful ideas abouthow UN should optimally build/modify political systems in troubled/new
states - a responsibility that isgrowing in UN numbers and importance globally. Experience with
administration intervention in Cambodia, East Timor, Kosovo, Namibia, and Somalia has been
imperfect, but educational as to how future responsibilities could be improved by more carefully
considering what actually constitute the "front lines" - "the level of local administration. Here,
Western-style paradigm of state building, which ispreoccupied with forming a national executive,
legislature, and judiciary, confronts resilient traditional structures, socially legitimate
powerholders, abusive warlords out to win, or coping mechanisms communities rely on under
conflict conditions. Options for establishment or reconstruction of governing institutions seem
stark: either reinforce status quo and build on it, further empowering the already strong;or
replace altogether what exists with new administrative order. But there may be middle road."
Essay analyses latter.
Amy Chua WORLD ON FIRE: How Exporting Free Market Democracy Breeds Ethnic Hatred and
Global Instability(New York: Doubleday 03):-this easy-to-read 350page survey of special
political/economic/social problems in many parts of the world has generated good reviews and
more influence. Its strong warning is not against either globalization trade or pure democracy
in developing countries, but against pressing these ideas too quickly when rich but unpopular
minorities dominate their economies - widely common situation that is carefully described. She
concludes by first naming three goals: "[1] the best economic hope for developing and
post-socialist countries lies in some form of market-generated growth; [2] thebest political hope
for these countries lies in some form of democracy, with constitutional constraints,tailored to
local realities; [3] avoiding ethnic oppression and bloodshed must be a constant priority. But if
these goals are to be achieved - if global free market democracy is to be peaceably sustainable
- thenthe problem of market-dominant minorities, however unsettling, must be confronted
head-on. [Finally, four specific "tonics" are addressed:] (1) the possibility of 'leveling the playing
field'between market-dominant minorities and the impoverished 'indigenous' majorities around
them; (2) ways of getting thepoor, frustrated majorities of the world a greater stake in global
markets; (3) ways of promoting liberalrather than illiberal democracies; and (4) approaches that
market-dominant minorities themselves might take to forestall majority-based, often murderous
ethnonationalist backlashes". Chapter sub-titles showwhere and how these major challenges
exist and must be addressed: (1)Chinese Minority Dominance in Southeast Asia;
(2)'White'Wealth in Latin America; (3)The Jewish Billionaires of Post-Communist Russia;
(4)Market-Dominant Minorities in Africa; (5)Ethnically Targeted Seizures and Nationalizations;
(6)Crony Capitalism and Minority Rule; (7)Expulsions and Genocide; (8)Assimilation,
Globalization, and the Case of Thailand;(9)From Jim Crow to the Holocaust;(10)Israeli Jews as
a Regional Market-Dominant Minority; (11)US as a Global Market-Dominant Minority; (12)The
Future of Free Market Democracy.
Bruce Clark, "A Survey of NATO: Knights in Shining Armour?" (1-18)The Economist 24 Apr
99:-extremely useful in several respects. Provides history of NATO's gradually - now rapidly -
changing role(s),(un)popularity,(dis)unity. Describes how "most successful military alliance in
history" suddenly lost its raison d'etre; then altered from new trans-European-US security entity,
swamped with new applicants and proud of its Bosnian role, to frustrated military giant in
Kosovo, seen by many as having acted illegally and unnecessarily, with future dependent on
solving complex puzzle of own making. Also outlines functional dilemmas facing military allies
equipped/trained decades apart technologically. Finally, survey coversNATO's split over whether
it plays global role in(UN-sponsored) multilateral combat interventions which it alone has
weapons, training, cohesion to handle.
Walter Clarke & Jeffrey Herbst "Somalia and the Future of Humanitarian Intervention" Foreign
AffairsVol.75/No.2(Mar/ Apr 96):-fine account of errors/lessons of UN operation in Somalia.
Concludes that, in failed states, UN operations cannot be either short or neutral, and may require
installation of full UN administration.
Walter J. Clemens, Jr, Dynamics of International Relations: Conflict and Mutual Gain in an Era
of Global Interdependence(Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield 98):-well-organized introductory text
on IR, helpful to students or those first looking at global issue(s). Chapters:(1)Is IR
"Winner-Take-All?" Can It Be Mutual Gain?(2)How to Win at Peace: Creating New World
Orders;(3)Foreign Policy Decision Making: Do Individuals Count?(4)Why Wage War? Does It Pay
to Fight?(5)Power and Influence:What Wins?(6)Why Arm?Can Swords Become Plowshares?
(7)Negotiating Conflict:How Can Foes Become Partners?(8)Nationalism and World Order:
Peoples at Risk? (9)Intervention and Mediation: How Can Outsiders Help?(10)Democracy and
Authoritarianism: What Impact on International Peace and Prosperity?(11)Wealth of Nations:
West Meets East(12)Challenges of Development: South MeetsNorth(13) Transitions: Can Second
World Join First?(14)Ecopolitics: Health of Nations(15)Organizing for Mutual Gain:UN, Europe
and Nonstate Actors(16)International Protection of Human Rights:Sham orRevolution?
(17)Alternative Futures.
Roger A.Coate edit.U.S. Policy and the Future of the United Nations(New York: Twentieth
Century Fund 94):-fine essays on UN political/organizational problems and realistic proposals
retain global value sinceissues remain relevant and/or reforms underway. Spiers proposes
administrative/structural/peacemaking/ financial reforms. Coate urges
inter-agency/intra-government coordination of UN system. Blechman looks at new intra-state
conflict/ preventive action challenges. Graham surveys IAEA proliferation/enforcement needs.
Abram urges enforcement of human rights/humanitarian law. Loescher examines new
scale/originsof refugees/displaced persons. Gordenker discusses WHO role/problems.
Sessions/Steever explore challenges/constraints on Commission on Sustainable Development.
Leonard picks UN priorities: security/ economy/environment/humanitarian action/human rights.
Richard Cockett"Chasing the Rainbow: A Survey of South Africa"The Economist 08 Apr
06(1-12):-official summary of Survey: "Since end of apartheid, South Africa has moved closer to
becoming the 'rainbow nation'of Nelson Mandela's vision. But not nearly close enough yet".
Highlights of broad introductory essay: "South Africa has plotted its own course to relative
stability, democracy and prosperity[, and is even] beginning to lead continent in entirely new
way. [P]ost-apartheid government [African National Congress(ANC) now under President Thabo
Mbeki] has managed to build 1.9m new homes, connect 4.5m households to electricity, provide
11m homes with running water. Targets for raising living standards aremost ambitious on the
continent. However, South Africa still deeply scarred by legacy of apartheid[- with that]
geography very much intact... Now sense of impatience over pace of change[:] for
many...'rainbow nation'has slowed to a crawl[,so] government well aware of this, and now
intervening in more areas of national life to try to speed up change. [Yet] from education to
foreign policy to crime-fighting, people have found creative solutions to many of their problems.
That creativity is South Africa's most impressive asset, and increasingly comes from poorest and
historically most disadvantagedof communities - nowbuilding their own ladders out of poverty.
[F]or all the good economic news, government is lookingpolitically more vulnerable than at any
time since 1994 [defeat of apartheid] for simple reason: little [GDP]growth has benefited [ANC's]
core supporters - poor and black. [U]nemployment [formally up to] about 27% [as new jobs] not
enough to keep pace with number of new entrants into labour market. [O]ther big problem is
rising inequality[:] number of people living on poverty line may be rising. [ANC
economic]prudence paid off, bringing economic stability and launching consumer boom. But
[it] did not create enough jobs[/investment]. So now ANC looking... at disgruntled activists who
feel let down. [It plans]more money for program of social grants[mainly child support/pensions
to about 10m out of 47m, plus]370b rand over next 3 years on public works, mainly
infrastructure/tourism, to boost jobs and create more [leveling] demand. Longer-term aims:
growth rate to 6% by 2010; halve unemployment/poverty by 2014. [Dangers] twin bottlenecks.:.
severe skills shortage and failure to deliver services at local level".Final points, also in
Editorial"Term Limits in Africa: When Enough Is Enough"(18):"With many leading politicians
discredited, continent needs a strong South Africa. Also needs South Africa prepared to go
beyond its strickly African agenda, and to deliver on its commitments to good governance,
human rightsand democracy enshrined in new vision of African Union and Nepad [New
Partnership for Africa's Development]. These are very much South Africa's creations. It is time
for Africa's leading democracy to cast off its humility and diffidence - and perhaps even to throw
its weight around for these causes".
Eliot A. Cohen, "History and the Hyperpower" Foreign Affairs Vol.83/No.4(Jul/Aug 04):-vast US
scope, in comparison with any other state or group of states, gives it both capacities and
opposition of past major empires(e.g. Rome, Britain), but its global interests/roles are unique
and controversial. Author contendswell worth while to compare US positions and potential with
historical styles/events/problems. "Historicalanalogy making rounds of late is notion that US
today is an empire that can and should be compared with imperial powers of past...Casual talk
of Pax Americana...implies that US is following pattern of imperial dominance that holds
precedents and lessons. Metaphor of empire merits neither angry rejection nor gleeful embrace.
It instead deserves careful scrutiny, because imperial history contains analogies and parallels
that bear critically on current US predicament."
Roberta Cohen & Francis M. Deng Masses in Flight: The Global Crisis of Internal
Displacement(Washington: Brookings 98):-thorough, containing many sound proposals. Written
by Deng as UNSG representative on internally displaced persons(IDP).Numbers are big and
growing(20-25m IDPs vs 20m refugees)affecting multiple UN roles (humanitarian/human
rights/development/peace/sovereignty)and bodies(DMTS/ ECHA/ ERC/ IOM/ OCHA/
ODIHR(UNHQ)/ UNDP/ UNHCR/ UNICEF/ UNIFEM/ UNRWA/ WFP/ WHO).Sections : Global View;
Legal issues; Institutional issues; NGOs (Red Cross/Voluntary Agencies Council/etc.); Regional
Groups; some Strategies/Proposals; IDP Guiding Principles. For excellent summary of book by
authors see "Exodus Within Borders" Foreign Affairs Vol.77/No.4(Jul/Aug 98).
Roberta Cohen "The Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement: An Innovation in International
Standard Setting" Global Governance Vol.10/No.4(Oct.-Dec. 04):-includes how and why global
concern about internally displaced persons(IDP) has developed, particularly since Cohen/Deng
source of 98(op.cit.). "It was not until 90s that absence of international system for IDPs began
to be noticed and more traditional notions of sovereignty questioned. One of vivid examples of
change in attitude was new set of international standards to protect persons forcibly uprooted
in their own countries - Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement. Introduced into UN
Commission on Human Rights 98, they set forth rights of IDPs and obligations of
governments/international community toward these populations...GPs recast sovereignty as
form of national responsibility toward one's vulnerable populations with role provided
forinternational community when governments did not have capacity/willingness to protect their
uprootedpopulations. Although not legally binding instrument like treaty, GPs quickly gained
substantial internationalacceptance/authority.[Article analyses] origin/development of GPs,
reasons for growing international usage,validity of reservations about them, and question
whether process that developed them truly constitutes turning point in standard setting
reflecting greater role for NGO community in developing internationalnorms of conduct for
states."
Leonard A. Cole, The Eleventh Plague: The Politics of Biological and Chemical Warfare(New
York: W.H.Freeman 97):-three-way view of problems raised by biological and chemical weapons.
Part I reports on US attitudes towards, and activities in, developing/controlling these weapons.
Part II deals withpossession/use by Iraq, and varied psychological reactions of world opinion,
Israelis, and Iranian/US troops. Part III completes fine account of agents/ techniques involved,
physical effects, and latest users:terrorists. 96 report on major international proposals
(BWC/CWC)to control such weapons notes thatWHO global disease-watch would help treaty
verification.
Norm Coleman "Kofi Annan Must Go" Wall Street Journal 01 Dec 04(COMMENTARY):-Senator
Coleman is chairman of US Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, member of
Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and a Minnesota Republican. Senate subcommittee of
which he is chairman has beeninvestigating the UN oil-for-food program in Iraq which was
intended 1996-2003 to enable Iraq to buy food and medicine in return for oil. Iraqi regime of the
time is widely believed to have subverted the program on a huge scale to benefit Saddam
Hussein. Hence Coleman blames Annan and calls for hisresignation. Warren Hoge "US, in Public
Statement, Backs Annan in His UN Post" New York Times 10 Dec 04:-reports that US
Ambassador John C. Danforth announced, on behalf of White House and State Department, that
UN played a role in many areas of concern to US...and that Washington expected to work closely
with Annan. Associated Press "Oil-For-Food Scandal May Harm UN Reforms" in NYT 10 Dec
04:-reports on several aspects of issue, including strong support of UN member states for
Annan, but warns of unfortunate time clash with Annan's initiatives for critical UN reforms(see
very vital "Annan" items).Economist 11 Dec 04 "The United Nations: Blaming Annan"
(Edit.11):-emphasises that UNSG should not receive" the campaign of vilification being mounted
against him by his detractors" since any judgementwould be premature. Moreover, "he is servant
of his political masters. This general rule applied with aparticular vengeance in the oil-for-food
program. UN set up a secretariat to manage the program, butmembers of UNSC maintained
ultimate control. Every contract was scrutinised by committee of its 15 members. It was not
Annan's fault that this committee became deadlocked." AP "Powell: U.N. on Track With Iraqi
Support" in NYT 16 Dec 04:-both UN, as the most truly global institution, and its Secretary
General Kofi Annan, have been receiving more than their chronic suspicion from recently
re-elected US politicians. US' s Iraq policy unfortunately generates particular focus of
disagreement. Secretary of State Colin Powell gives "understated praise...for preparations UN
is making to support elections in Iraq, andUNSG Annan said world body will beef up its support
if need be...Annan was also speaking on proposals to revamp UN and on US relations with world
body in address to private Council on Foreign Relations." Warren Hoge "Secret Meeting, Clear
Mission:'Rescue'U.N." NYT 03 Jan 05:-publicity on private gathering of senior pro-UN/UNSG
Annan supporters generated some controversy, but was described by one participant as "to
save Kofi and rescue UN" .Item covers issues/potential/improvements. Economist 08 Jan 05
"America and the United Nations:Kofi Creamed" (30-1):-reports[,without judging truth,]elements
of US-conservatives' UN criticisms: Israel(op.cit.);Cuba (op.cit.);expense of funding(op.cit.),that
from some viewpoints seems bent on shackling US power/spreading socialism; perceived UNSG
feud over US invasion of Iraq(op.cit.); International Criminal Court(op.cit.); $64b oil-for-food
program in Iraq(op.cit.). " Meanwhile, list of complaints against UN gets longer by day. There are
US grumbles about[:]UN allegedmishandling of relief for tsunami disaster[;]wrangles...going on
about UN's role in Darfur[;] charges ofrape/sexual abuse of children by UN peacekeepers in
Congo[;]dispute over UN's unwillingness to providehelp for Iraqi special tribunal set up to
try...Saddam Hussein...For a time it looked as if Bush administrationwould give[Norm Coleman
op.cit.]campaign to unseat Annan its tacit support too. But it appears to have decided to back
off. Weak UNSG at head of enfeebled UN might, after all, serve Bush's interests betterthan
tougher one...Some 130 countries, including all members of EU, had already announced their
full support...Annan has been taking steps to repair relations with Washington. He has already
had what UN officials describe as' encouraging'meeting with Condoleezza Rice...He announced
that Mark Malloch Brown, media savvy head of UNDP...is to take over as his chief of staff."
Sharon Otterman "Q&A: The Oil-for-Food Scandal" Council on Foreign Relations 11 Jan
05:-provides at considerable length both history of survey program and much of information
already available via organizations investigating its misuse by Saddam Hussein. These of course
include a preliminary report by the UN Independent Inquiry Committeeled by Paul A. Volcker,
former US Federal Reserve Chairman. Claudio Gatti "US Ignored Warning on Iraqi Oil Smuggling,
UN Says" Financial Times 13 Jan 05:-provides unexpected information on the oil-for-food
scandal. "Joint investigation by FT and Il Sole 24 Ore, Italian business daily, shows that
single-largest andboldest smuggling operation in oil-for-food program was conducted with
knowledge of US government." FT "UN Warned To Brace For Reform As Crisis Grows" in NYT
16 Jan 05:-contains number of UN reform essentials described by Malloch Brown in interview
with FT. He warned UN" that there could be worse to come, and that its management would feel
consequences from investigation into allegations of corruption in
'oil-for-food'program.[He]warned that it was no longer only institution's traditional, conservative
criticsthat were calling for a shake-up...'It should be mainstream preoccupation of every
government shareholder of UN.'[There]would be a comprehensive report in March by Annan on
saving internationalsecurity system, making development work, and reforming UN to make that
happen." Judith Miller "Annan Planning Deep Changes in U.N. Structure, Aide Says" NYT 17 Jan
05:-also quotes Malloch Brown onnecessary UN reforms and report that UNSG "trying to embark
on series of changes in how organization is organized/does business...'UN must win back trust
of US public and world public opinion'.[C]hangeswere likely to include deeper reshuffling of
Annan's senior management team, changes in internal rulesand procedures aimed at
diminishing secrecy and enhancing accountability. Structural changes would also be geared
toward helping[UN]respond faster and more openly to crises." Many reports by otherexperts on
UN, and US views. Economist 02 Apr 05"The Oil-For-Food Scandal: Torturing the United
Nations"(Edit.12-3); The Oil-For-Food Scandal: Kofi, Kojo and a Lot of Shredded
Documents"(29-30):-Editorial argues that:"Something rotten happened. But wait for all the facts
before demanding Kofi Annan's head... Neither of Volcker's [interim]reports to date makes clear
case against Annan himself... In short, [there is evidence] Annan has been a weak manager -
even if, which remains to be proven, his ethics are as pure as snow... But UN is not a company.
Ultimate power rests with member states, not a chief executive with a licence to issue whatever
orders he likes. In the case of [oil-for-food scandal,] there is especially strong argument for
reserving final judgment until Volcker issues final report... [T]hisprogram was set up and run
closely by UNSC itself [and] Volcker has yet to pronounce on how much blame lies with Annan
and how much with his political masters... Better to wait a few months until Volcker report is
complete". Other article discusses key contents and effects of the Volcker committee's second
interim report, just issued. Main points relate to possible misdeeds/profits of UNSG Kofi Annan's
son Kojo, employed by Swiss firm Cotecna, and Iqbal Riza, UNSG's former chief-of-staff. Result
is thatAnnan fails to receive the full exoneration he wanted. "[H]is reputation has been
besmirched, his credibility undermined and his moral authority badly eroded". Economist 13 Aug
05"The United Nations: A Nasty Smell"(26-7):-material on this subject has been massive over the
past several months, but most has not been critical of UNSG Annan or even of "crooked UN
personnel". As consequence I have collected copies of all relevant oil-for-food items and
mounted them in order together. If I have time, I will list all their titles/dates/publications in
another new file in the RECENT DEVELOPMENTS section. Situation may now have become
serious for UNSG since 13 Aug article states: "According to the investigation, which was led by
Paul Volcker, a former chairman of US Federal Reserve, Benon Sevan, head of the oil-for-food
program, 'corruptly benefited'from $150,000 in kickbacks from a friend's oil company. Report
also alleges that a Russian in UN's procurement division, Alexander Yakovlev, solicited bribes
to help an inspection contractor win a bid. Yakovlev has pleaded guilty, but Sevan has denied
any wrongdoing. The oil-for-food scandal has been rumbling on pretty much since Saddam
Hussein was deposed. This isfirst time that Volcker's commission, which was set up by [UNSG]
Annan, has claimed unambiguously that UN officials have been on the take. US conservatives
have seized on it as proof that UN is mismanaged". Rest of article deals with UN reforms being
discussed.
Paul Collier The Bottom Billion: Why the Poorest Countries Are Failing and What Can Be Done
About It(New York: Oxford Univ Press 07):-reviews praise this brilliant description of the world's
poorest states and how they need unprecedented forms of aid to escape their chronic dilemmas.
Essence of argument by author in Preface (xi):"The problems these countries have are very
different from those we have addressed for the past four decades in what we have called
'developing countries' - that is, virtually all countries besides the most developed, which account
for only one-sixth of the earth's people. For all this time we have defined developing countries
so as to encompass five billion of the six billion people in the world. But not all developing
countries are the same. Those where development has failed face intractable problems not found
in the countries that are succeeding. We have, in fact, done the easier part of global
development; finishing the job now gets more difficult. Finish it we must, because an
impoverished ghetto of one billion people will be increasingly impossible for a comfortable world
to tolerate... But to do so we will need to draw upon tools - such as military interventions,
international standard-setting, and trade policy - that to date have been used for other purposes..
To build a unity of purpose, thinking needs to change, not just within the development agencies
but among the wider electorates whose views shape what is possible". Text (200pp) is essential.
Paul Collier "The Politics of Hunger: How Illusion and Greed Fan the Food Crisis"(67-79) Foreign
Affairs Vol.87/No.6(Nov/Dec 08):-official summary:"The food crisis could have dire effects on the
poor. Politicians have it in their power to bring food prices down. But doing so will require
ending the bias against big commercial farms and genetically modified crops and doing away
with damaging subsidies - the giants of romantic populism, bolstered by both illusion and
greed". [Criticism is particularly aimed at US and Europe.] Collier is Professor of Economics and
Director of Center for Study of African Economics at Oxford Univ. and author of Bottom Billion.
Cindy Collins and Thomas G. Weiss, An Overview and Assessment of 1989-1996 Peace
Operations Publications: Occasional Paper #28(Providence: Watson Institute for International
Studies, Brown Univ. 97):-any book ordering/ summarizing 2000-publications about globally
critical issue is invaluable. Although prepared as research aid, concise text worth reading by
itself for wealth of information/views it conveys on many big problems/decisions facing UN.
Subjects: Root Causes of Armed Conflicts and Appropriate Responses; Decisions to
Intervene(ethics, and UNSC/state processes); Planning and Implementing Intervention(UN, state,
and NGO processes/relations).
Commonwealth Consultative Group on the Special Needs of Small States, Vulnerability: Small
States in Global Society(London: Commonwealth Secretariat Pubs. 85):-UN now includes many
small and indeed micro-states(latter having populations of less than 100,000).Almost any UN
additions likely to be small in population and/or power, particularly if "Wilsonian" dictum strictly
followed: that all "nations" have right to self-determination. Report by global group of senior
personalities one of few authoritative sources focusing specifically on particular security
problems of such states. It makes almost 80 realistic recommendations; large number involving
UN System.
Carl Conetta and Charles Knight, Vital Force: A Proposal for the Overhaul of the UN Peace
Operations System and for the Creation of a UN Legion(Cambridge: Commonwealth Institute,
1995):-detailed and fairly technical proposal, employing in-depth knowledge of modern military
organization and capabilities. Like the Government of Canada's simultaneous
proposal(op.cit.)this was prepared in response to the suggestion by UNSG(Boutros-Ghali)that
a UN-controlled rapid response capability was needed. After identifying sixproblems affecting
the "authorization, planning, and execution of peace operations" , it proposes the creation of
four organizations: a Military Advisory and Cooperation Council, a multilateral Field
Communication and Liaison Corps, a strengthened Secretariat staff structure, and a four-brigade
permanent standing force(UN Legion) plus field support structure(44,000).
Gordon Conway, The Doubly Green Revolution: Food for All in the 21st Century(London:
Penguin Books 97):-expert survey of food problems and potential in developing countries.
Specific advice on eradicating hunger/rapidly reducing 750m undernourished(as pledged at
World Food Summit)through complex but realistic second Green Revolution. Topics: global
hunger/poverty; 2020 prospects; specific needs; Green Revolution's successes; where missed
poor; pollution from pesticides/fertilizer; production trends/priorities; biotechnology; sustainable
agriculture; farmers' input; pest control; nutrients; soil/water management; other resources;
food security.
David Cortright & George A. Lopez edit. Economic Sanctions: Panacea or Peacebuilding in a
Post-Cold War World? (Boulder: Westview Press 95):-useful collection analysing value of
sanctions from many points of view. Divided into sections on sanctions' : history/experience;
assessment from legal/ethical/practical standpoints; case studies including:
Iraq(pro/con)/Yugoslavia(very critical)/Haiti/South Africa.Recommendations:set UN Council on
Sanctions; undertake new research topics: should sanctions be immediate, comprehensive,
harsh and multilateral, or graduated; determine value of focused financial actions, both positive
and negative; better monitoring.
David Cortright edit. The Price of Peace: Incentives and International Conflict
Prevention(Lanham:Rowman & Littlefield 97):-rarely researched topic: value and optimum
methods of using positive incentives rather than coercion of any type to achieve diplomatic
ends. Many examples -mostly successful and many involving UN- offered: Baltic States/Russia;
Bosnia; Czechoslovakia; India/Pakistan; Malawi; North Korea; PRC; Salvador; South
Africa(failed); South Korea; Sweden; Taiwan; West Bank/Gaza; Uganda; Ukraine, Belarus,
Kazakhstan. Includes very good wrap-up essay.
Jocelyn Coulon, Soldiers of Diplomacy: The United Nations, Peacekeeping, and the New World
Order(Toronto: Univ.of Toronto Press 98):-translated from French(Les Casques
Bleus)considerably more thanvivid journalist account of visits to various UN peacekeeping
forces at crucial historic times: Coulon one of Canada's best-informed, often very thoughtful,
military commentators. First gives brief history of origin and first 30 years of peacekeeping. Then
concentrates on UN "golden age" immediately after Cold War ended, and tells how and why
explosion of unprepared-for activities overstretched system and created negativeover-reaction.
Operations described, in terms of both personal narrative and political machinations, are those
in Lebanon, Cambodia, Western Sahara, Somalia, and Bosnia. Final chapters address UN's
problems/limitations - and opportunities.
Robert W. Cox, Review of Susan Strange, The Retreat of the State: The Diffusion of Power in the
World Economy (Cambridge: Cambridge Univ. Press 96)(op.cit.)in International Journal
Vol.LII/No.2(Spring 97):-favourable report on book of great relevance to future of global society
and relations. Cox sees Strange's aim less as trying to describe growing limitations on state
power than as identifying what constitutes power, where and why it is shifting, and implications.
[Strange lays particular emphasis on power of global finances.] For Cox's own, related,
theoretical views see: Production, Power, and World Order: Social Forces in the Making of
History(New York: Columbia Univ. Press 87)Theme and Part 1(1-15); Part 2(105-267).
Timothy Wallace Crawford "Why Minimum Force Won't Work: Doctrine and Deterrence in Bosnia
and Beyond" Global Governance Vol.4/No.2(Apr/Jun 98):-since many diagnoses for failures of
UN role in Bosnia, analyses problem for future through critique of doctrine(s)UN attempted,
particularly "minimum force." Argument: Military deterrence coercion, which entails dropping
peacekeeping rules like participants' consent/minimum force. UN forces' credibility ability/will
to take effective military action key to deterring local parties from attacking each other/UN.Threat
includes offensive.
Chester A. Crocker and Fen Osler Hampson, Managing Global Chaos: Sources of and
Responses to International Conflict(Washington: US Institute of Peace Press 96):-42
expert/practical essays(675pp)offeringnew facts/thinking regarding global challenges, and how
resulting conflicts might be met(e.g. by UN).Challenges include: many weak(or failed)states;
ethnic conflicts; religio-cultural militancy; populationpressures; resource crises(shortages,
disputes);global competition; radical military technology(Adams op.cit.);mega-terrorism. Stress
on preventive action.
Barbara Crossette, "U. N. Council in Rare Accord: Fight Terrorism" New York Times 20 Oct
99:-UN has long been unable to reach agreement over global action on terrorism, a critical
lacuna given need to eliminate all sanctuary. "One state's terrorist is another's freedom-fighter"
. Now decline -or at least public denial- of state support for terrorist groups, and experience of
many with insurgents they brand terrorist, appears to have broken impasse. On 19 Oct Security
Council unanimously passed resolution(Russian SC President deemed it "anti-terrorist
manifesto" ) regarding growing dangers of international terrorism. Reportedly it calls for "better
cooperation and sharing of information among nations and[agencies, and]asks governments to
prevent terrorist groups from raising money to deny such groups safe haven and to be vigilant
against false refugee claims made by terrorists seeking new bases" .
Barbara Crossette "A U.N. Watchdog Exits to Applause" New York Times 15 Nov 99:-reports very
successfulcompletion 5-year term by first head UN Office of Internal Oversight Services. Karl
Theodor Paschke, former personnel/ management chief, German Foreign Ministry, appointed
USG level as watchdog to fight corruption/mismanagement. Expanded auditing throughout
UN/sent inspectors around world/uncovered dollars millions in fraud/abuse. UN now dismisses
employees quickly/losses recovered/criminal cases to trial/Annan's management reforms
working. Predictably, Paschke praised by US Congress but criticized by some developing
nations for coming from rich country, and some major reports blocked. Concluded: UN'sfaults
similar to those in other big bureaucracies, even though faces unique challenges(e.g.
inpeacekeeping/emergency relief operations/global procurement, where corruption worst).
Barbara Crossette "Kofi Annan Unsettles Important People, as He Believes the U. N. Should Do"
New York Times 31 Dec 99:-built around frank interview with UNSG, also contributes
background, especially on UN-US relations. Annan, "soft-spoken aristocrat from
Ghana[and]quiet insider with gentle sense of humor welcomed as healer" at time of bad US-UN
relations. Three years after election, "turning out to be one of most provocative leaders[UN]ever
known" . Speeches/reports castigate both UN and major powers "for doing nothing in face of
predictable catastrophes" (Rwanda, Srebenica)and hit fellow Africans for shortcomings. Annan
defends practical need for honest assessments and fault-finding, but has antagonized both Third
World and influential Americans. 99 UNGA speech arguing right to intervene in state affairs if
leaders abusetheir people drew fear from small nations and claims from senior US conservatives
he was exceeding powers. Personal diplomatic initiatives(Iraq, Libya)criticized, but he stressed
he was only doing his job. Much of Annan's independence derives from his selection of strong
and expert advisors.
Barbara Crossette "U.N. Studies How Refugees Qualify to Get Assistance" New York Times 14
Jan 00:-UNSC debate on what Roberta Cohen(Masses in Flight op.cit.)called "absurdity"
;Brookings: "one of most pressing humanitarian, human rights and political issues now facing
global community" . Most of 20m+ internally displaced persons(IDPs) ineligible to receive UN
assistance simply because not(yet)crossed border out of own country. Many forced from
homes(often by own governments who prefer world excluded); most in more danger/distress
than those able to reach border; some interspersed with/indistinguishable from "recognized"
refugees; often far outnumber latter(Angola: 1-2m to 370,000). UNHCR Ogata stressed how
inherent IDP geographic/political/security problems made worse by WWII-vintage definitions.
UNSCsupportive of new rules/arrangements for new conditions, with UNHCR in charge.
Barbara Crossette "Advocates for Children Joining U.N. Peacekeeping Missions" New York
Times 18 Feb 00:-for first time, UN will assign full-time children's advocates to top operational
staff abroad of all peacekeeping missions. Announced by Olara A.Otunnu, Special
Representative of SG for Children and Armed Conflict. First advocate assigned for Sierra Leone
where atrocities against(and by)children have been particularly serious, and two will be assigned
to UN force in Congo, so far all from UNICEF. Otunnu explained:" For protection and welfare of
children to be taken seriously, and not be marginalized, we must have[advocates]within central
political structure" .Will advise Mission heads, coordinate all child assistance groups, determine
necessary programs for children and(since civil war combatants may ignore Conventions)also
mobilize public opinion.
Barbara Crossette "The U.N.'s Unhappy Lot: Perilous Police Duties Multiplying" New York Times
22 Feb 00:-describes challenge facing UN in finding/managing very large number of police
officers demanded by new peacekeeping duties and dangers.(For history of UN police activities,
see Oakley op.cit.)UNPeacekeeping Operations' total staff of 400 must find/deploy nearly 9,000
specially qualified officersimmediately(almost 5,000 for Kosovo, 2000+for Bosnia, 1,640 for East
Timor).For first time, UN police in Kosovo/East Timor have direct executive law enforcement
powers and in Kosovo will be armed. Less than half Kosovo force has arrived(and some returned
as unqualified).Thus in assuming responsibility for law and order, UN police activities not only
grown but become more varied/complex/delicate/ hazardous. Many are worried that current
assignments will exceed UN capacity.
Barbara Crossette, "UNESCO's Fat Gets a Trim And Reform Is in the Air" New York Times 5 Mar
00:-UNESCO's new Director-General, Koichiro Matsuura, a top Japanese diplomat and former
Chairman of UNESCO World Heritage Committee, knew the Agency's reputation for patronage
and inefficiency, butdiscovered "mismanagement was much more serious than...anticipated"
, staff seriously demoralized by arbitrary promotions, and auditing systems" almost nonexistent"
. He fired 20 politically-appointed advisorsfrom his own office alone, made tough speeches to
the Agency's Board and staff, and opened a Web site for complaints. He will put a reform plan
in place spring 2000 and hope the US will rejoin, but faces great obstacles in trying to turn
around a badly damaged organization. Regarding policy, Matsuura finds UNESCO dominated
by European culture, producing little science and failing to help LDCs. Above all, he will stress
education.
Barbara Crossette "U.S. Ready for Much Larger Security Council" New York Times 04 Apr
00:-update on long attempt at UNSC membership reform. In spite of major power shifts and huge
membership growthsince 45, five permanent (veto-wielding)members remain unchanged, while
183 states now share 10 rotating seats. Yet powerful Council must be decisive, and was never
intended to be representative. Fassbender(op.cit.)explains basic dilemma: Council can become
more equal, representative, or effective - but never all three. Article reports some small progress:
US no longer demands limit of 20-1 seats, so 28are now proposed. This may ease deadlock
on(permanent)regional seats. Since France and UK refuseto pass permanent status to EU,
Germany and(?)may be added. Japan plus 2-3 Asian seats become feasible.Africa and Latin
America could also have more flexibility for aspirants.
Barbara Crossette "U.S. Report Says the U.N. Has Improved With Changes" New York Times 29
May 00:-summarizes "surprisingly positive report on...UN" written by US General Accounting
Office for Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Criticisms of UN by committee have been
"frequent and shrill" and it playedmajor role in US' ignoring its legally-binding UN debts, and
unilaterally demanding SG/Secretariat implement wide range of political reforms (Helms, Speech
op.cit.).Yet GAO concludes SG Annan made "considerable strides in improving [UN]
management" , and clearly "differentiates between reform goals[SG/Secretariat]can meet alone
and those that are dependent on decisions of 188 member nations" .Moreover, GAO notes,
"where there are serious failures or lags in putting changes into practice...shortcomings often
related to fuzzy instructions from[UNGA,]...20% in each year[being]too open-ended or vague to
determine what objectives[SG]expected to accomplish" -often reflecting political compromises.
SG is credited with improving coordination and appointing chief operating officer, who in turn
established standard code of conduct. While UN peace operations now reflect unified policy and
integrated planning, overall UN capacity "to manage, logistically support and respond to rapid
changes in...demand" have not been addressed because "organization, under severe financial
handicaps and with demands on it multiplying, does not have capability to manage scope and
scale of activity." Full text of report can be obtained via GAO home page: www.gao.gov.
Barbara Crossette, "U.N. Warns That Trafficking in Human Beings Is Growing" New York Times
25 Jun 00:-DG of UN Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention claims that trade in people
is "fastest growing criminal market in ...world because of...number of people...involved,..scale
of profits being generated for criminal organizations - and...its multifold nature. We don't have
just sexual exploitation. We don't have just economic slavery[forced labor and debt
enslavement]. We have also a lot of exploitation of migrants. And we have classic slavery. If you
put all this together...you get the biggest violation of human rights in[world. R]eliable estimates
indicate that 200m people may now be in some way under the sway or in the hands of traffickers
of various kinds." UN urges possibly giving temporary residence to would-be immigrants who
assist in identifying criminals and reintroduction of anti-slavery laws. Economist 24 Jun "Drugs
and Slavery in Myanmar" (48):-according to ILO, many of 1m Burmese refugees along Thai
border reportincreasing reliance on slavery by Myanmar regime. While ceasefires have been
arranged with most ethnic rebel groups, military keeps control only by "using slaves to build
defences, roads and bridges. Locals are forced to clear land, act as porters for the army and
provide housing. Refugees claim that forced labourers are even made to march
along[mined]roads...800,000 or so people...thought[by ILO]to beexploited in this way" . Roger
Cohen, "Europe Tries to Turn a Tide of Migrants Chasing Dreams" NYT 02 Jul:-motivated by
death of 58 Chinese illegal immigrants in truck container in Dover, England, this article explains
how and why EU has replaced North America as the principal destination of asylum-seekers(and
unnumbered illegal immigrants). In 1999 30,000 people applied for asylum in US(compared with
127,000 in 1993), while more than 365,000 sought asylum in EU. Main change has been collapse
of USSR, opening up of new land routes to Europe from Asia. Moreover "increasingly
well-organized criminal groups...have emerged to coordinate smuggled passages into Europe
largely closed to legal immigration" . Also: "[P]enaltiesare far less severe than for drugs, the
up-front investment much smaller, and the evidence has legs and tends to run away" explains
DG of International Organization for Migration. Finally, Europe is relatively cheap to reach
illegally - from China about half cost of transport to US. Economist 24 Jun "The Last Frontier"
(63-4)adds that about 30m people are smuggled across international borders every year(up to
500,000 into EU; 300,000 into US). This trade is worth $12-30b, most world traffic being handled
by about 50 specialized gangs. UK Immigration concludes: "[G]angs have infrastructures,
communications and surveillancecapabilities far in excess of anything that...law enforcement
agencies in transit and source countries can muster, and...chances of their activities diminishing
is negligible" . Elisabeth Rosenthal, "Chinese Town's Main Export: Its Young Men" NYT 26
Jun:-gives detailed firsthand description of how 80% of 20-40 year oldmen of one town, by
working illegally in US, have made it very prosperous, although full of "widows" .
Roy Culpeper & Caroline Pestieau edit.,Development and Global Governance(Ottawa:
North-South Institute/ International Development Research Centre, 1996):-this is the proceedings
of a conference of 30 international experts held in Ottawa in 1995 to discuss the
interrelationships between development and the governance of the international economy. The
agenda related to a coming G-7 Summit on "Reform of the International Financial Institutions"
. The meeting drew three main conclusions:(1)instability or uncertainty in exchange rates/ capital
markets call for strengthening IFIs(IMF with SDRs); (2)the IFIs' outdated methods of governance/
mandates demand they be given effective political-level direction(IMF Interim Committee);
(3)development aid is inadequate/declining so ODA/ official flows need more careful
management, with priority given to the world's poorest, to collective world goals, and to good
performersamong recipients.
Roy Culpeper The United Nations and the World Economy(Ottawa: UNAC, 1997):-the
Carlsson-Ramphal, Childers-Urquhart, and Qureshi-von Weizsacker reforms(op.cit.)all include
similar proposals for a new UN body which(unlike ECOSOC)could deal substantively with world
economic and financial issues in a manner similar to the Security Council handling of peace and
security issues. Existing and related ministerialgroups are the G7, the IMF/IBRD Interim and
Development Committees, and the various Basle bodies(G10, BIS, etc.). Culpeper proposes that
the IMF/IBRD committees combined replace ECOSOC.
Ivo H.Daalder & Michael E.O'Hanlon"Unlearning the Lessons of Kosovo" Foreign Policy No.116
(Fall 99):-test of assumptions to see if Kosovo sets precedent for humanitarian interventions.
NATO Won: air campaign was clearly NATO success in gaining more than originally asked, but
only after Serbs had uprooted 1.3m Kosovars. Airpower Alone Worked: while" probably most
successful use of strategic bombardmentin history of warfare" , vulnerable Serb infrastructure,
40,000 KLA troops, credible NATO invasion, were also key. Powell Doctrine is Dead: NATO power
was not "decisive" initially, but grew until it was so. UN Is Nice, But Not Necessary: UN still
cannot run military operations itself, but new UNSC unity helped Serbs concede, and UN political
mandate unprecedented. In Military Terms, Europe Is a Dwarf: US ran war, butEurope now
running peace/reordering its armed forces. Lessons: such operations not cheap/easy; US must
still lead and be willing to commit troops.
Ivo Daalder & Jan Lodal "The Logic of Zero: Toward a World Without Nuclear Weapons"(80-95)
Foreign Affairs Vol.87/No.6(Nov/Dec 08):-official summary:"US nuclear policy remains stuck in
the Cold War even as the threats the United States faces - nuclear terrorism chief among them -
have changed. Washington must lead the way to a world without nuclear weapons, and the first
step is for US to dramatically limit its own nuclear arsenal's size and declared purpose". Daalder
is a Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution. Lodal is immediate past President of the Atlantic
Council of the US and a former senior Defense Department and White House official in the
administrations of Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, and Bill Clinton.
Robert A.Dahl On Democracy(New Haven: Yale Univ. Press 98):-carefully thought out and well-
written introduction to a complex and now globally-relevant subject. It asks and expertly
responds to: Where/How Did Democracy Develop?; What is democracy?;Why democracy?; Why
Political Equality?;WhatInstitutions?:Scale Factors, Parties, Constitutions, Electoral Systems;
What Conditions FavorDemocracy?; Does Market-Capitalism Favor/Harm Democracy? Last
Chapter, on Future of Democracy, is most relevant to this bibliography. It concludes: 20th
Century was "era of unparalleled triumph" (180)for democracy, but its changing problems in
evolutionary times make its future dependent on their solution. Market-capitalism will continue,
perhaps with its nature to create inequality softened. Globalizing trends will remain hard to
democratize. Human rights for disadvantaged will increase. Migration will raise cultural diversity
in "old" democracies. Civic education in complex societies must expand.
Suzanne Daley"Rising Rate of Mad Cow Disease Alarms Europe"New York Times 07 May 00:-
shows how hard it is to stop the spread of fatal diseases even with drastic control measures in
an interdependent world. Bovine spongiform encephalopathy has just turned up in south-eastern
France, having also been detected in native-born cows in 10 other European countries. While
the number of continental cases identified is small compared with the 178,000 reported in
Britain, those discovered in France have gone from six in 1997 to one weekly in 2000. True total
of cows(and humans)infected may be much larger as transmission modes and incubation
periods remain mysterious. Nevertheless, considerable progress is being made in other
respects: Sandra Blakeslee, " Clues to Mad Cow Disease Emerge in Study of Mutant Proteins"
in NYT 23 May 00:-reports on the information exchanged at an international meeting on the
disease. While scientists still do not know how the disease spreads to humans, how many more
will die from it, and if a similar epidemic could start in the US spread by infected deer and elk,
clues are now being discovered on an almost weekly basis. These are based on an infectious
agent called the prion, normal proteins found throughout the body tissues of humans and other
animals. For unknown reasons thesesometimes transform themselves into tiny particles almost
impossible to destroy, and accumulate in the brains of infected animals/people, destroying cells
and leaving spongy holes in the tissue. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is the human version and
could eventually kill tens of thousands, -or die out. So far the death toll is 56 in Britain, 2 in
France, 1 from Ireland.
Donald C.F.Daniel, Bradd C.Hayes and Chantal deJonge Oudraat, Coercive Inducement and the
Containment of International Crises(Washington:US Institute of Peace Press 99):-novel look at
various multilateral peace operations since 88. Effort is valuable as new diversity/ complexity/
cost brought confused or bad mandates/structures/ resources/motives/aims/hopes. Worse, many
overwhelmed(soundermined)UN system both unprepared and unable to handle them. Address
many operations between traditional peacekeeping(firm ceasefire/both sides' consent/fully
impartial/minimum self-defense)and military enforcement. Middle option termed Coercive
Inducement(CI): "judicious resort to coercive diplomacy or forceful persuasion by international
community in order to implement community norms or mandates vis-a-vis all parties to
particular crisis." UN operations in Bosnia, Somalia, Rwanda, Haiti analysed to show effects of
abiding by or contravening principles of CI:(1)Inducement Contingents(ICs)function under aegis
of leading state or coalition in operations endorsed by UN.(2)CI personnel represent both moral
authority andcredible force.(3)While aspiring for as much universality as possible, ICs primarily
reflect capabilities that make for immediately effective crisis responses.(4)IC personnel assume
no more than provisional consent, so act to impose community will on recalcitrant parties.
(5)While not intending to harm anyone's interests, IC must implement mandates even when
doing so prejudices interests of one or more party.(6)Force may be used for other than
self-defense, but should not exceed minimum to cause desired behaviour.(7)IC mustplan to
minimize casualties while preparing for worst. End offers operational guidelines when following
CI principles, and circumstances that make it essential.
Gustav Daniker, The Guardian Soldier: On the Nature and Use of Future Armed Forces(Geneva:
United Nations UNIDIR 36 95):-thoughtful analysis by Swiss military strategist of effects and
opportunities brought by end of Cold War. He sees security as multi-faceted, long-sighted, and
aimed at stability - not destruction.
Tobias Debiel"Strengthening the UN as an Effective World Authority: Cooperative Security
Versus Hegemonic Crisis Management" Global Governance Vol.6/No.1(Jan/Mar 00):-neither as
academic or utopian as title might suggest, looks at very practical/pertinent issue of what UN
can and should do to be more effective in peacekeeping and crisis prevention roles. Such roles
increase in importance as consensus develops: national sovereignty may be curtailed in
exceptional humanitarian circumstances. Argued: world, unready for legally-bound
multilateralism, and widely opposed to superpower-driven coercion,must turn to cooperative
security - willing collaboration of all types of bodies: interest groups/relevantstates/regional
organizations. Core element UN must create "standby capacities for early warning/conflict
management/peacekeeping; reform of non-military sanctions instrument; and speedy institution
ofinternational criminal court" (39).
Louis A.Delvoie"The Kosovo War: A Long Catalogue of Losers" Behind the Headlines Vol.57/
No.2,3 (Winter/Spring 00):-NATO's 99 air campaign against rump "Yugoslavia" has had many
supporters and critics. Former mainly argue that it succeeded in noble humanitarian aim of
relieving Kosovars from Serbian oppression; latter argue force was itself wrong and/or stress
absence of UNimprimatur. Author seeks those involved that were net losers in conflict. NATO:
hurt itsimage/reputation/future effectiveness by launching war of aggression, ending its
credibility as purely defensive alliance; United Nations: sidelined/marginalized, lost any
post-Gulf hope it might play its Charter peace/ security role; OSCE: reputation/credibility
suffered when its 1,300 Observers had to withdraw hastily when many of OSCE members
attacked state where they were to keep peace; Kosovars:NATO's "beneficiaries" suffered
hundreds dead and thousands displaced before bombing, but thousandsdead, hundreds of
thousands displaced once two deterrents(OSCE plus threat to bomb)ceased to restrain;Serbs:
suffered "collateral" casualties, food/water shortages as infrastructure hit, and vast long-term
economic loss from bombing/sanctions; Balkan Stability: lost in refugee floods, revived ethnic
tension; "New European Security Architecture" :Russia reacted with anger/ condemnation,
needing muchtime/effort to defuse; US: lost in stature/credibility e.g. through sudden change
in KLA image, public policy it would not risk ground troops, ominous intelligence error on
Chinese Embassy; Western Governments: caught with double standards over Serbia/Chechnya.
Many lessons to be learned.
Francis M. Deng et al. Sovereignty as Responsibility: Conflict Management in Africa(Washington:
Brookings 96):- conclusion of 7-volume project to help governments/international community
deal with conflicts in least stable continent(Reader op.cit.).Probes African states' responsibility:
balance sovereignty sanctity against transborder political/economic/moral relevance of human
rights violations/internal violence. Project concludes UN has unique role to play in Africa as both
mediator and healer.
Anthony DePalma "The'Slippery Slope'of Patenting Farmers' Crops" New York Times 24 May
00:-as noted elsewhere, much of controversy over genetically modified organisms(GMO)derives
from their high costs in R&D and consequent concern of biotechnology companies to ensure
"adequate returns" through patents(or intellectual property rights(IPRs); see Paarlberg)relating
to their products. Most infamous patent defenses were "terminator genes" in cereal seeds that
could not reproduce, and thus prevented re-seeding(Economist 9 Oct 99).This ensured annual
seed purchases -and prohibitive costs in Third World. DePalma reports CIMMYT, Green
Revolution's famous non-profit International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center in Mexico,
though founded to make high-yield products available free to Third World,has had to start
patenting its work as defensive tactic to block attempts by others to patent its discoveries and
thus keep small farmers from using them. Before companies/countries contribute to CIMMYT's
research, they also require patents in own self-defense. Consolation: reproductive genes will be
included in seeds distributed in Third World. Another GMO patent-related development reported
in DePalma/Simon Romero "Super Seeds Sweeping Major Markets, and Brazil May Be Next" NYT
16 May. US, Brazil, Argentinatogether grow 80% of world's 157m tonnes of soybeans annually,
but have different rules for GMvarieties. In US several conditions must be met: for Monsanto,
farmers pay fee for each bag of seed, agree not to save seed for following year ( "terminator"
seeds were dropped after outcry)and accept inspections if claim to have stopped using seed.
In Argentina, where perhaps 90% of soybean crop genetically altered, but its patents not
recognized, effectively no rules. In Brazil, use of altered varieties not(yet)legal, but clearly
smuggled in; to 30% of soybeans may already be uncontrolled GMO. "Global regulatory
mechanism" obviously needed. Meanwhile, US regulations tightened further. Associated Press
reported 03 May "F.D.A. Announces New Steps for Regulation of Biotech Food" according to
which US Food and Drug Administration will require biotech companies to notify it at least four
months before releasing "new genetically engineered ingredients for food and animal feed" and
to provide their research data. FDA will also set" truthful and informative" standards for food
processors wanting to label products made with/without such ingredients. Also, mainly
response to new consumer concerns, North American retailfood industry/exporters facing novel
problems in separating out GM products, because of explosive increase in use/saving. Some
major food companies stopped sales of selected GM-based products,according to David
Barboza in "Modified Foods Put Companies in a Quandary" NYT 03 Jun. However none has
found it feasible to abandon biotech ingredients entirely, since about 70% of US grocery-store
food may have been made with genetically altered crops. Related dilemma arisen in Europe.
Donald G. McNeil Jr. "Anxiety on Genetically Altered Seed Spreads in Europe" NYT 20 May,
reports on divergent reactionsof British, French, Swedish governments on discovering tiny
amount in one seed variety in order of long-planted Canadian canola had inadvertently carried
genetically-modified trait.
Daniel Deudney & G.John Ikenberry"The Myth of the Autocratic Revival: Why Liberal Democracy
Will Prevail"(77-93) Foreign Affairs Vol.88/No.1(Jan/Feb 09):-official summary:"After years of
liberal triumphalism, recently fears have grown that autocracies have found new ways to
prosper. In fact, the imperatives of liberal democracy are as strong as ever. The key to defanging
autocracies is bringing them into the liberal order, not excluding them from it". Emphasized
extracts:"There remain deep contradictions between authoritarian political systems and
capitalist economic systems". "War as a path to conflict resolution and great-power expansion
has become largely obsolete". "Emerging global problems will create common interests across
states regardless of regime type". Deudney: Professor of Political Science at Johns Hopkins
University and author of Bounding Power: Republican Security From the Polis to the Global
Village. Ikenberry: Albert G.Milbank Professor of Politics and International Affairs at Princeton
University, a Global Eminence Scholar at Kyung Hee University, and author of After Victory:
Institutions, Strategic Restraint, and the Rebuilding of Order After Major Wars.
Claudia H.Deutsch "Unlikely Allies Join With the United Nations" New York Times 10 Dec 99:-
"Across the world, huge companies that once shrugged off United Nations as worthy, if often
ineffectually bureaucratic, do-good agency, now viewing it as valuable partner." Cites many
cases of MNC-UN collaboration/usefulness to business, UN/countries getting aid. MNCs
increasingly realize UN/UNDP open doors, act as valuable buffer with officials, open new
markets. More general cooperation(e.g. human rights/entrepreneurship training)may help
promote stability in countries with civil unrest, improve local business technique/experience,
create bridges to communities. UN, for its part, gets part of and influenceon vast pool of FDI,
ensures access to unique expertise and resources; yet, by not promoting specific companies,
guards its neutrality and stimulates competition.
David B. Dewitt, David G. Haglund and John J. Kirton, edit., Building a New Global Order:
Emerging Trends in International Security(Toronto: Oxford Univ. Press 93):-varied group of
essays analysing security impact of post-Cold War realities and trends on power relations, on
international issues(military, economic, cultural, environmental, demographic)and on various
"institutions" particularly UN, but also on NATO, G-7, treaties, etc.
Dennis Dijkzeul, The Management of Multilateral Organizations(The Hague: Kluwer Law
International, 1997):- the UN's Secretariat has received almost continuous study and criticism.
Uniquely, this book analyses from a public-management perspective the UN Population Fund
(UNFPA), the UN Children's Fund(UNICEF), and their coordinating body, the Joint Consultative
Group on Policy (JCGP). In doing so, it teaches the reader a great deal about the entire System's
strengths, weaknesses and potential.
Wendy Dobson," Fallout from the Global Financial Crisis" in International Journal
Vol.LIV/No.3(Summer 1999):-essay pushes reforms of both the global financial system and
vulnerable emerging economies,noting that the system has already been made safer by
improved financial market operations, and strategies to help such economies integrate into it.
"The challenge is to balance the obvious benefits of financial liberalization and open markets
with the risks of possible financial instability" (376),and to keep financial and other reform issues
separate. The global market should evaluate risks as good national markets do, reduce crises
by better risk management, and strengthen the IMF ability to provide liquidity, but on terms
involving best-practice incentives. Parallel national reforms should include avoiding bias
favouring short-term capital, maybe adding capital inflow taxes, strengthening financial
institutions and linking thecurrency to a major one.
David Dollar & Lant Pritchett Assessing Aid: What Works, What Doesn't, and Why(New York:
Oxford Univ. Press 98):-this World Bank Policy Research Report described by The Economist
14 Nov 98(88)as henceforth "the book on foreign aid." Drawing on new research
material/long-term surveys, ODA has been "highly effective, totally ineffective, and everything
in between" (2).Secret is good governance(for instance in state rebuilding):(1)financial aid really
works only in good policy environment;(2)truly wanted improvements in Third World economic
institutions/policies key to "quantum leap" in poverty reduction;(3)aid can then complement
FDI;(4)value of aid is knowledge that strengthens good policy(most financefungible);(5)active
civil society helps lot;(6)in most distorted environments, donors should focus on good
advice(particularly to any reformers), not money - presumably extremely important in failed or
post-conflict states. Best aid investment is very poor but well-managed countries(India).
A. Walter Dorn edit., World Order for a New Millennium: Political, Cultural and Spiritual
Approaches to Building Peace(New York: St. Martin's Press 99):-selected conference statements
with diverse speakers, sochapters vary by viewpoint/ideals, plus topic.Part I.Political and
Institutional Approaches:Evolution ofWorld Order(conceptions (Anatol Rapoport);international
law history;disarmament compliance;corporatecapitalism and/or market socialism; order by
trade/investment decree);Military(Cold War nuclear mishaps;decline of major wars;Third World
militarization); United Nations(world challenges(text inINTRODUCTION, with "institutional"
material added); recent UN environment agreements; monitoring UN enforcement(UNSCOM);
International Criminal Court; realistic UN reforms). Part II.Cultural and Spiritual Approaches:
Developing a Culture of Peace(coordinating official/non-official diplomacy;civil
societyplatforms;relevant UNESCO appeals;education of ethics);Spiritual Dimensions(2
Christian views, Jewishview, 2 Buddhist views, First Nations view, syncretistic view, Baha'i view,
UN role). Declaration.
John J. Dowdy, "Winners and Losers in the Arms Industry Downturn" Foreign Policy Number
107(Summer 97):-valuable survey, not only of post-Cold War trends in scale and export trade of
arms industry in US, Europe, Russia, but also effects on mergers/employment. FP by Solomon
M. Karmel "The Chinese Military's Hunt for Profits" , covers PLA/PRC well. Also Survey "The
Global Defence Industry" The Economist 14 Jun 97; update 12 Dec 98(23-6).
Margaret P. Doxey International Sanctions in Contemporary Perspective: Second
Edition(London: Macmillan Press 96):-definitive guide to non-military sanctions.
Describes/assesses all major cases since WWI:Italy(1935), Yugoslavia(by USSR),Cuba,
Rhodesia, South Africa, Egypt(by Arab League),Iran, USSR(re Afghanistan/Poland), Argentina,
Iraq, Yugoslavia/Serbia, Libya, Haiti. Includes: definition, history,types(political,
cultural-communications, economic);contexts, frameworks, intentions; costs and
burden-sharing; implementation; impact on targets(their vulnerability and response);UN problem
areas:(a)decisions to impose/remove;(b)sharing of cost and collateral damage; (c) problems of
coordination, monitoring and policing.
Margaret P. Doxey United Nations Sanctions: Current Policy Issues: Revised Edition(Halifax:
Dalhousie Univ. 99):-containing information up to Apr 99. Appendix offers basic facts about all
sanctions imposed under UN Charter(Chap. VII).Text examines four issues subject to
debate:(1)Domestic economic costs of sanctions to "sending" states and prospects for
burden-sharing. Options: financial help; tariff adjustments;technical/humanitarian assistance;
specific help on sanctions enforcement.(2)Mitigation on humanitarian grounds of
sanctions-induced hardships in "targets" . Ideally, punishment fits crime but scope for:
improving ways to determine need; handling humanitarian exemptions; avoiding abuse through
monitoring.(3)Determining scope for direct targeting of leaders and elite groups. Types of
targeted sanctions: personal travel restrictions; limit/end international bodies'
membership(privileges); limit air links; cultural/sportsboycotts; financial sanctions(freezing
assets)-most promising, but speed/information/selection/discipline critical.(4)Improved
administration/enforcement. Much effort underway to improve work of Sanctions Committees;
humanitarian issues handled better, but to detect/control serious violations of sanctions regimes
still strictly limited.
Margaret P. Doxey, "Sanctions Through the Looking Glass: The Spectrum of Goals and
Achievements" International Journal Vol.LV/No.2(Spring 00):-expert, realistic look at recent UN
experience with sanctions, and at current thinking on how they could be improved. (All Chapter
VII sanctions to Jan 00 are listed.)Security Council use of sanctions has increased greatly since
1990(earlier it approved only two: Rhodesia, South Africa); hence study of optimum use has also
expanded. US has been keenest supporter, but public opinion in many democracies under media
pressure, has increased demands governments "do something" about human rights violations
- broadening both "targets" and "goals" and changing criteria of success. Political effective
might now include not only gaining compliance, but also stigmatizing orcontaining targets, and
as means of preventing or deterring certain action. Success is harder to judge, particularly when
multiple pressures, to both apply and satisfy. All are analysed. Finally, essay discusses means
of focusing sanctions better, not only on elites but away from innocents.
Celia W.Dugger"U.N. Panel Urges Doubling of Aid to Cut Poverty"New York Times 17 Jan
05:-announces that an"international team[has]proposed a detailed ambitious plan...that it says
could halve extreme poverty and save the lives of millions of children and hundreds of
thousands of mothers each year by 2015. Report[claims that]drastically reducing poverty in its
many guises - hunger, illiteracy, disease - is 'utterly affordable', [but that]to fulfill this goal
industrial nations would need to double aid to poor countries, to 0.5% of national incomes from
0.25%".'Investing in Development: A Practical Plan to Achieve the Millennium Development
Goals[MDG]'also urges the easing of trade and"sweeping investments in health, education,rural
development, road building, housing and scientific research".Jeffery D.Sachs(op.cit.),appointed
head of this UN Millennium Project by UNSG Annan to revive the 2000-agreed 'MDG'promises,
is"known ascrusader for the idea that within a generation, rich and poor countries together can
end extreme poverty afflicting more than a billion".Other elements are described: the serious
diversity of essential program-related policies among both the rich and poor nations, and the
surprisingly varied analysis of the plan's realism that is found among aid experts -and British
PM Tony Blair(op.cit.). Reuters"U.N. Report Offers Plan to Halve Extreme Poverty by 2015"in NYT
17 Jan 05:-covers same major proposals, although with natural variations in emphasis. Again,
divergences among both aid donors and seekers are stressed. It also reports that in Jul 05 G8,
and in Sep 05 UNGA will, spotlighting global poverty, set a development agenda.The
Environment 22 Jan 05"Development: Recasting the Case for Aid"(69-70):-even longer than the
NYT and Reuters analyses of the Sachs-led UN report, but again offering an objective analysis
of its critically-important aims and prospects. Initial description of report includes:"Document
in full runs to ten supporting volumes and more than 3,000 pages...Overview paper is packed
with high-octane analysis andrecommendations, no waffle, not a sentence wasted. Aim is no
less than to dispel prevailing pessimism on aid - a deeply entrenched attitude, based on years
of disappointment - and to mobilise hundreds of billions of dollars in new help for developing
world. In this, it might succeed. Whether it deserves to is another question." Later:"Question
now - and it is the right question - is what policy inputs will be required to hit the targets[i.e.MDG
final goals]...Given what is at stake, Sach's passion and ambition are entirely warranted - but
does approach he advocates make sense?...Looking only at development aid, report argues, you
find that aid works: it spurs growth...Good-government precondition is crucial, however, and
causes team some difficulty...Poorest countries, including basket-cases of sub-Saharan Africa,
aremost deserving by test of need, but tend to be worst governed".Report challenges problem
by plugging poorer recipients that nevertheless have good government and by claiming aid itself
can improve bad governments, but quick success appears unrealistic in Africa. Warren
Hoge"African Crises Take Back Seat to Tsunami, U.N. Relief Chief Says"NYT 28 Jan 05:-Jan
Egeland, UN emergency relief coordinator, complained to UNSC that impressive aid being given
to those countries suffering from earthquake-produced Indian Ocean tsunami was in fact no
more seriously needed than the unmet African needs. Alan Cowell"Pressure Grows for Rich
Nations to Redouble Efforts to Aid Africa"NYT 28 Jan 05:-report fromWorld Economic Forum in
Davos, Switzerland, records many more pro-African aid demands than usual.
Celia W.Dugger"U.N. vs Poverty: Seeking a Focus, Quarreling Over the Vision"NYT 14 Sep
05:-this itemleads a discouraging collection of inter-related historical articles, most inevitably
summarized by a bit more than their strong titles/introductory sentences. All relate to a globally
critical summit of some 170 heads of state/government. They marked seriously the 60th
anniversary of the United Nations 14-16 Sep 05 when, vital reforms and international poverty
commitments having been discussed, some are adopted- in full or vague status - but many more
are both left required and postponed. Dugger:"The United Nations General Assembly(UNGA)
meeting today was to have been a rare moment when quest to relieve crushing poverty of a
billion people took center stage. But so far that goal has been overshadowed by [current
disasters] and squabbling over reform of UN itself. Even debate about world's common agenda
on global poverty began on an unexpectedly sour note, centred around goals for healing world's
deepest poverty that were to be in meeting's final document. US ambassador, John R. Bolton,
initially proposed expunging any reference to specific goals for reducing poverty, hunger and
child mortality andcombating pandemic of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. Known as Millennium
Development Goals[MDGs], they emerged from UN conference five years ago. He favored instead
citing broad declaration from which goals were drawn. US subsequently relented, but not before
US administration's opening in negotiations left some African leaders dismayed... Negotiations
at UN got absorbed by issues around UN reform... It is not clear that much new will emerge at
UN. World leaders are likely to affirm commitment to push forward with MDGs to halve extreme
poverty and hunger, cut child mortality by two-thirds and ensure basic education of each child
by 23015, among other things.Those are same broad goals agreed to five years ago"; Warren
Hoge"U.N. Adopts Modest Goals on Reforms and Poverty"NYT 14 Sep 05:-"UNGA unanimously
approved scaled-down statement of goals [13 Sep] that Secretary General [UNSG] Kofi Annan
said would still give world leaders gathering [14 Sep] basis for recommendation to reform
organization and combat poverty. Loud cheers from delegates, however, could not disguise
widespread disappointment at weakening of 35-page document"; David E.Sanger & Warren
Hoge"Bush Thanks World Leaders and Takes Conciliatory Tone"NYT 15 Sep 05:-President Bush,
facing array of world leaders who are deeply divided on how to define terrorism or act against
nuclear proliferation/poverty, struck conciliatory tone at UN [14 Sep], describing himself as
grateful leader of superpower in recent days... Speech...came hours after UNGA greatly watered
down what had once been ambitious plans for institutional change and for commitments to fight
terrorism/nuclear arms... He balanced his discussion of need to chase down terrorists with his
endorsement of set of antipoverty objectives... 'No nation canremain isolated/indifferent to
struggles of others' ... He pressed for UNSC resolution commiting countriesto prosecute - and
extradite - anyone seeking fissile materials or technology for nuclear devices... But Bush did not
repeat his previous calls to bar any new country from producing enriched uranium orplutonium.
In references to goals for poverty reduction, he cited not only MDGs but also another initiative
that grew out of summit meeting in Monterrey, Mexico. There, poor nations agreed to fight
corruption and improve governance, and rich nations commited to 'make concrete efforts'
toward giving 0.7% national income in aid. Bush did not address aid issue, but advocates said
they hoped endorsement of Monterray would make harder for US to continue to oppose such
aid targets"; Reuters"World Leaders Seek to Invigorate UN at Age 60"NYT 14 Sep 05:-"Leaders
explore ways to revitalize UN at summit, buttheir bluepoint falls short of UNSG vision of freedom
from want, persecution and war... [S]ession marking60th anniversary of world body suffering
from corruption scandals and sharp divisions among memberson how to tackle international
crises... UNSG in 85p paper in Mar entitled 'In Larger Freedom', addressed challenges for 21st
century that required collective action: alleviating extreme poverty, reversing AIDS pandemic,
global security, terrorism and human rights. But after bitter negotiations over last few
weeks,nearly every bold initiative suffered cutbacks in final 38p document approved by UNGA
for endorsementat summit... Still, somewhat emasculated document saved summit from failure.
UN officials highlighted initiatives, including new human rights body, Peacebuilding Commission
to help nations emerging from war and perhaps most significantly, obligation to intervene when
civilians face genocide/war crimes... Butnegotiators failed to agree on how to tackle nuclear
proliferation or on definition of terrorism sought by Western nations, and fell short of
commitments to greater aid and tearing down trade barriers developing nations wanted";
AP"Annan Appeals to World Leaders at Summit"NYT 14 Sep 05:-"UNSG Kofi Annanappealed [14
Sep] to world leaders...to help restore confidence in world body and act together to meet
challenges of new century... Annan said document they will adopt at end of 3-day summit was
'good start'but not 'sweeping and fundamental reform'he proposed. He called for urgent action
on tough, unresolved issues. 'Because one thing has emerged clearly from this process on
which we embarked two years ago: whatever our differences, in our interdependent world, we
stand or fall together', UNSG said.'Whether our challenge is peacemaking, nation-building,
democratization or responding to natural or man-made disasters, we have seen that even the
strongest among us cannot succeed alone'... In what he call 'a high-risk gamble', UNSG and
incoming/outgoing presidents of UNGA decided to drop issues where there was no agreement,
choose language for which they thought they could win consent, andpresent clean text to
member states. It worked"; AP"Bush Focuses on Terror in Speech to U.N."NYT 14 Sep
05:-"Before skeptical world leaders, President Bush [14 Sep] urged compassion for the needy
and pressed global community to 'put the terrorists on notice'by cracking down on any activities
that could incite deadly attacks. Bush... was seeking to sell his blueprints for spreading
democracy in Iraq and elsewhere, overhauling UN and expanding trade"; AP"Chiefs of U.N.
Agencies Appeal to Donors"NYT14 Sep 05:-"UN refugee and food agencies' chiefs said [14 Sep]
that international donors are not doing enough to help alleviate shortages of survival rations in
refugee camps across Africa. Because of lack of funds, World Food Program has been forced
to cut rations for hundreds of thousands of refugees, particularly in West Africa and Great Lakes
region in east of continent"; AP"Mexico's Fox OK With U.N. Reform Document"NYT 14
Sep:-"Mexican President Vicente Fox said [14 Sep] that he and the rest of theGroup of 15
developing nations think UN reform document approved this week is a step in the right direction,
but stressed it is only first step... The 35-page document is supposed to launch a major reform
of UN itself and galvanize efforts to ease global poverty. But to reach consensus, most of text's
details gutted in favor of abstract language. UNSG had hoped that in addition to addressing UN
overhaul, document would outline specific actions for improving the lot of the poor and tackling
genocide, terrorism and human rights. But nations couldn't bridge their difference during
negotiations. Group of 15developing nations in Asia, Africa and Latin America was set up to
foster cooperation in dealing withinternational groups such as World Trade Organization and
the Group of Seven rich industrialized nations"; AP"Annan Seeks to Restore U.N. Credibility"NYT
14 Sep 05:-"After a year of mounting criticism,UNSG Annan defended UN [14 Sep] and urged
global leaders to restore organization's credibility by adopting broad reforms needed for world
to act together to tackle poverty, terrorism and conflict...Instead of a celebration of UN
achievements since its founding in ashes of WWII, summit was much more a somber reappraisal
of its shortcomings and a debate about how to meet the daunting challenges ofa world
becoming moreand more interlinked"; Reuters"World Leaders United on Terrorism"NYT 14 Sep
05:-"World leaders united [14 Sep] on need to ban incitement of terrorism but fell short of
ambitions forfundamental reform of UN...Negotiations on the summit document world leaders
are to endorse dropped disarmament proposals from Norway and South Africa, backed by about
80 nations. US objected to calls for nuclear disarmament but stressed danger of terrorists and
rogue states obtaining unconventional weapons... In veiled criticism of US, world's richest
nation, Dutch PM... said Europeans had agreed to boost development aid spending but 'we need
to see more equal burden-sharing'"; AP"Annan Seeks to Restore U.N.'s Credibility"NYT 15 Sep
05:-"Bitter differences among UN member states have blocked many crucial UN reforms, and
nations must act boldly to restore the world body's credibility, UNSG told summit of world
leaders... Coming into the summit, diplomats had to dilute a document on goals for tackling
rights abuses, terrorism and UN reform because they couldn't settle their disputes"; Financial
Times"Shifting Positions at the UN World Summit"NYT 15 Sep 05:-"Fact that US and China have
both become simultaneous aid donors and recipients says much about changing global society.
World ismuch more diffuse in power than traditional stereotypes allowed... US is rich, and its
military power iscommanding, but US ability to impose its will on world is limited... China, as
well as India, Brazil and some other developing countries, is gaining economic power, especially
through rapid absorption ofadvanced technologies and emergence of home-grown scientific
prowess... [E]verything points to vastinternational diffusion of scientific expertise in coming
decades... US will likely become more rather than less engaged as donor country in Africa and
elsewhere... [I]dea of a US empire astride the world in 21st century will go... [C]ertainly the most
important issue, hardly noted at [UN] world summit, is that rise of China, India, and other
regional powers will intensify growing and multiple pressures on global environment and
resource base... As a crowded world of 6.5 billion on its way to 9 billion people by mid-century,
and with rising risks/complexities all around us, we are all both donors and recipients now. We
are all in this together, and we had better get used to that reality"; The Economist 15 Sep
05"United Nations Reform: Better Than Nothing"(p.33 in 17 Sep NA issue):- "Annan sought to
explain why a draftdeclaration on UN reform and tackling world poverty, to be endorsed by some
150 heads of state/government... has turned into such a pale shadow of proposals he himself
put forward. 'With 191 member states' , he sighed, 'its not easy to get agreement'. Most countries
put the blame on US, in the form of its abrasive new ambassador, John Bolton, for insisting at
end of Aug on hundreds of last-minute amendments and line-by-line renegotiation of a text most
others had thought was almost settled. Buta group of middle-income developing nations... also
came up with plenty of last-minute changes of their own. Risk of having no document at all... was
averted only by marathon talks... The 35-page final document not wholly devoid of substance.
It calls for creation of a Peacebuilding Commission to supervise reconstruction of countries after
wars; replacement of discreditied Commission on Human Rights by supposedly tougher Human
Rights Council; recognition of a new 'responsibility to protect'peoples from genocide and other
atrocities when national authorities fail to take action, if necessary by force; and 'early'reform
of UNSC. Although much pared down, all these proposals have at least survived.Others have
not. Either...so contentious they were omitted altogether, such as sections on
disarmament/non-proliferation/ICC, or they were watered down to little more than empty
platitudes: no longer evenmentions vexed issue of pre-eminent strikes. [M]eanwhile, section on
terrorism condemns it 'in all its forms and manifestations, committed by whomever, wherever
and for whatever purposes' , but fails to provide clear definition US wanted... Now up to UNGA
to flesh out document's skeleton proposals and propose new ones. But its chances of success
appear slim"; Steven R.Weisman"A Frustrating Week at the U.N. for the White House Team"NYT
16 Sep 05:-"[R]ebellion by countries outside the ambit of Europe and US appears to have
thwarted some of the changes sought at UN. Bush officials insist that they arepleased with some
of the changes adopted by UNGA, notably a broad definition of terrorism. They saytried to
address wishes of developing world by agreeing at last minute to endorse specific goals to
increase foreign aid. But when it came time to adopt stringent budgetary changes at
UN,cementing fiscaland personnel authority with Secretariat under Kofi Annan and taking some
of it away from UNGA, thevotes were not there. Neither were there enough votes to scrap UN
Human Rights Commission and replace it with a council that would not be led by countries like
Sudan or Cuba, which US and its allies consider bad actors in human rights sphere. The
scandals of last couple of years in oil-for-food problem in Iraq, with favoritism and corruption
in awarding of contracts, might have been avoided if UNSG's office had exercised greater control
over the budget and personnel, now in hands of a committee made up of all members of UNGA.
'The way UN is run, the vast number of less developed countries sitting in UNGA hold the power
of the purse', a diplomat at UN said. |