Liaison Newsletter > LIAISON Vol. 3, No. 6, November 1999

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Enough is Enough!
Citizens speak out against the United Nations’ financial crisis by Genevieve Talbot, Peace and Security Project Officer, UNA-Canada

For the third year in a row, the United Nations Association in Canada and the World Federalists of Canada held a Candlelight Vigil in Ottawa on October 23, the eve of United Nations Day. This Vigil aimed to show support for the United Nations and oppose its ongoing financial crisis. This year, the vigil was a part of a broader movement called “Millennium Mobilization” — an NGO movement to build a stronger UN for the next millennium. The day of action included vigils and other events. An estimated 30 cities around the world hosted events. In Canada, activities were organized in more than eight cities. In addition to Ottawa, UNA-Toronto organized a public event, as did UNAs in Calgary, Edmonton, Hamilton, Victoria and Winnipeg. In the US, there were several college, university and local events. UNA-Canada and the World Federalists also wrote a letter to the Honourable Lloyd Axworthy outlining their concerns about a weakening UN. Moreover, a petition on the UN financial crisis was circulating. Once one thousand signatures are collected, the petition will be presented to Parliament.

After four years, there is a need to evaluate the success of these events. First of all, is there still a need to demand full and adequate funding for the United Nations and the UN system? Second, are vigils and other public events useful? According to Jim Paul, Executive Director of the Global Policy Forum, “What is important about these events is the citizen initiative to support the UN. Although the financial crisis continues, these activities have alerted citizen groups to the issues and created links between the UN and citizens around the world.” Moreover, last November 4 the US government paid US$586 million for the regular peacekeeping budgets.

The Ottawa protest made a point of stopping in front of the new American Embassy. The United States was chosen because they are the largest debtors to the UN, responsible for 61 per cent of the UN’s debt. “It is particularly discouraging, as we approach the dawn of the millennium, to see the UN struggling to maintain its activities due to the lack of willingness of key UN members, and notably the US, to pay their dues,” stated Harry Qualman, Executive Director of UNA-Canada.

There is continuing concern that the US may not pay its outstanding dues in full, in spite of recent Congressional action. The proposed payments will be spread over 3 years and are still conditional on lowering the US share of assessed dues. There is still a strong anti-UN force within the US Congress. However, this particular era might end soon. “Personally I think that the Kosovo case will set the start of a new era,” said Paul. “There was pressure by the US to force all NATO countries, especially European countries, to participate in the Kosovo bombing. The use of NATO by the US to be the policeman of the world raised opposition, especially in Europe. In a recent speech, Jacques Chirac of France said that the unchecked power of the US raises the need for a stronger Europe. It may actually help the UN, which is a supra-organization not dominated by the US will.”

Harry Qualman, also expressed concerns that NATO’s involvement in Kosovo did not help the UN very much; it might even have weakened the international organization. “We all pay for crises such as Kosovo and East Timor. Would it not be better to have a stronger UN which can deal with these situations more effectively? A strong UN is vital for the new millennium!”

In Ottawa, the Worldwide Vigil was attended by about 40 people, many of whom were active in UNAC and the World Federalists. Preceded by the UN Flag, the crowd braved the weather and passed through the streets ending up the Peacekeeping Monument. We thank all the participants and hope to see more next year.