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Canada & the UN > Newton Bowles Reports
Watershed "Watershed" is the word for this session from General Assembly President Hennadiy Udovenko. Here are some of the main issues: First, is the U.S.A. in or out? Will it try to go it alone, or will it realize that it has to take the multilateral way? This issue was put to the U.S. Congress in an open letter in the New York Times on 11 February 1998. Signing the letter were 46 top political leaders and 88 C.E.O.'s of major commercial firms. Against the background of the Asian economic crisis, they said, inter alia: Pay the $1 billion in back dues owed to the United Nations . . . Nonpayment of our dues simply reinforces a worldwide perception that the U.S. is willing to go it alone and walk away from critical international institutions. This is not in our self-interest. Second, and directly related to the above, is the critical financial situation of the UN. In fact, U.S. arrears amount to $1.3 billion. Current revision of the UN scale of assessed contributions leaves the U.S. at 25% (regular budget). The U.S.-Congress wants this reduced to 20%. The G.A., led by the European Union (which pays 35%) says: we won't even think about it until you pay what you owe. No one notices that the administrative expenses of the IMF and the World Bank run to $2 billion a year. Meantime, the UN keeps its doors open by borrowing from the dwindling Peacekeeping funds. Third, in-house UN reform was approved and is going ahead. Kofi Annan is doing well. Better policy coordination, better management, unified UN presence in countries, major savings. Louise Fréchette as new Deputy should add managerial and developmental strength. Fourth, no agreement on Security Council reform. No evident UN strategy on peacekeeping or peacemaking. Pretty good adhockery given uncertain direction and meager resources. Fifth, agreement on Agenda for Development consolidates UN goals, but Special Session on Agenda 21 confirmed donor reluctance to fund economic development through the UN. To the extent that such investment will go multilateral, it will be through the international financial institutions (the IMF, World Bank, regional development Banks). Explorations are underway on how to connect the UN with the "private sector". Even limited UN aid for community self-help, for social and humanitarian aid is precarious, with ODA (Official Development Aid) going down. Only four countries contribute at UN target of 0.7% GDP. Poor folks-- over one billion of them-- are not invited into the Market. Sixth, substantive coordination of UN development aid in countries is going ahead through common "country strategies," Seventh, human rights in fiftieth anniversary of UN Declaration is getting a breath of fresh air through new High Commissioner Mary Robinson, with her dynamic but "balanced" approach. Eighth, plans for an International Criminal Court are on track with a "diplomatic" Conference in Rome this spring to finalize the treaty. Ninth, there is sweet talk about "civil society" (NGO's) and better ways to bring them into staff (Secretariat) action; but how they will be heard in official intergovernmental meetings is still not clear. Finally, a tentative word about Canada as we try to maintain the degree of political integrity that has given us respected standing at the UN. Since the Canadian economy is so closely tied to the U.S., it is a bit tricky to stand up to the Washington powerhouse. We would like to continue our services as "honest broker", as mediator, but that is possible only if someone is listening. Another problem for us is that the Europeans have closed ranks so that our traditional Nordic/Netherlands partners are not so easily accessible. In the constellation of regional blocs, there is no comfortable home for Canada. Who will vote Canada back into the Security Council? And why should they, since our UN peacekeeping contingent will drop to 260 in 1998? Of course, we are greatly admired (by most) for our lead in banning land-mines; and those in the know are aware of the many pragmatic, practical ways that Canada and Canadians are helping the UN work. But overall this is a rather new ball game and we are trying to find our way. As we have become more polyglot and multicultural at home, may we renew our embrace of this polymorphous United Nations. More than 1,500 men and women have been killed in UN service. The UN ideal stands above cynicism and despair. Canada is needed more than ever. |
