May 28, 2013

Conference On Disarmament Discusses Its Work (Press Release)

http://www.unog.ch/unog/website/news_media.nsf/(httpNewsByYear_en)/8F8A2914CC385058C1257B7900479470?OpenDocument

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If one was ever confused about what's wrong with the United Nations - take a look at opening day of the Conference on Disarmament (CD). It opened with a speech by Ambassador Mohsen Naziri Asl of Iran, the Conference's incoming president. The Iranian President had this to say to the other 64 UN CD member states: "During its Presidency, Iran would continue to consult with Member States in order to find ways to unlock the Conference, a deadlock created by the lack of political will in the field of nuclear disarmament." Of course, he knew full well that it is Iran's lack of political will that is the central stumbling block to progress. He continued: "Members should work together to preserve the credibility of the Conference." Even though the first act of achieving any kind of credibility would be for Iran to resign or be removed as President. There is a reason, however, for Iran's brazenness. Every speaker who followed the Iranian President supported him, while at the same time laying claim to represent the wishes of the developing world that is the UN majority. A sampling of the incredible insulting charade: From Iran's client state Syria - "Syria believed in the importance of the Conference." "Pakistan expressed appreciation for Iran's assessment of the prevailing situation." Russia: "The initiative to take the issue of nuclear disarmament out of the Conference...was fraught with danger...It was very important to keep the Conference as the single multilateral disarmament forum." The Muslim Brotherhood's Egypt "reaffirmed the importance of the Conference...Egypt wished the President success." The Conference gets it money from Western governments who pay the vast majority of the UN's bills - starting with the United States. The Obama administration has sent a low-level diplomat to listen and take notes of this rot, and no steps to stop the flow of taxpayer dollars. Why would Iran not be emboldened?