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Is U.N. Trying to Influence U.S. Elections?
Friday, October 29, 2004
By Nile Gardiner
It seems that every four years, theres some sort of October surprise in American politics.
This year, its the revelation that some 380 tons of powerful conventional explosives are missing from the al Qaqaa (search) former Iraqi military complex near Baghdad.
This story, seemingly leaked by officials at a United Nations agency, has caused a political storm in Washington. Sen. John Kerry has accused President Bush of incredible incompetence.
But the real threat here is that un-elected U.N. officials may be trying to bring down a president.
This controversy arose after The New York Times published an article based on leaked information, most likely originating from the International Atomic Energy Agency (search), headed by Director General Mohammed El Baradei. The Times article reported that the IAEA had received a letter from the Iraqi Ministry of Science and Technology on Oct. 10 reporting the loss of 341.7 metric tons of HMX, RDX and PETN.
This article strongly implied the explosives were taken by insurgents after U.S. troops failed to properly secure al Qaqaa. However, subsequent news stories indicate that, in all likelihood, the explosives were already gone when the invasion of Iraq began.
So lets consider the timing: The Times piece was published just one week ahead of the U.S. presidential election and squarely aimed at influencing the electoral debate.
Also, the IAEA waited two weeks before reporting the missing explosives to the Security Council. That, plus the subsequent leak of critical information to two American media outlets, strongly suggests a political agenda.
There is certainly no shortage of tension between the IAEA and the administration. The United States has consistently opposed the return of U.N. inspectors to Iraq and has been critical of the IAEAs performance with regard to the growing threat posed by Iran. The Bush administration reportedly opposes ElBaradeis attempts to seek reelection for a third term as director general.
The controversy over the IAEAs role in the al Qaqaa missing-stockpile scandal should also be viewed within the context of the increasingly tense relationship between the Bush administration and the United Nations over the war in Iraq and the removal of Saddam Husseins regime.
U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan described the war as an illegal violation of the U.N. Charter in a Sept. 16 interview with the BBC, adding, I hope we do not see another Iraq-type operation for a long time.
Link: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,137121,00.html
This is an example of what the UN does for the US. I simply think us banding together as nations won't work. Us as Americans have our own customs, as do other countries these should stay separated. Also US officials like this Judge should base her views on American laws and no other, if she tries to base a case on international law not our she should be disbarred.
Is U.N. Trying to Influence U.S. Elections?
Friday, October 29, 2004
By Nile Gardiner
It seems that every four years, theres some sort of October surprise in American politics.
This year, its the revelation that some 380 tons of powerful conventional explosives are missing from the al Qaqaa (search) former Iraqi military complex near Baghdad.
This story, seemingly leaked by officials at a United Nations agency, has caused a political storm in Washington. Sen. John Kerry has accused President Bush of incredible incompetence.
But the real threat here is that un-elected U.N. officials may be trying to bring down a president.
This controversy arose after The New York Times published an article based on leaked information, most likely originating from the International Atomic Energy Agency (search), headed by Director General Mohammed El Baradei. The Times article reported that the IAEA had received a letter from the Iraqi Ministry of Science and Technology on Oct. 10 reporting the loss of 341.7 metric tons of HMX, RDX and PETN.
This article strongly implied the explosives were taken by insurgents after U.S. troops failed to properly secure al Qaqaa. However, subsequent news stories indicate that, in all likelihood, the explosives were already gone when the invasion of Iraq began.
So lets consider the timing: The Times piece was published just one week ahead of the U.S. presidential election and squarely aimed at influencing the electoral debate.
Also, the IAEA waited two weeks before reporting the missing explosives to the Security Council. That, plus the subsequent leak of critical information to two American media outlets, strongly suggests a political agenda.
There is certainly no shortage of tension between the IAEA and the administration. The United States has consistently opposed the return of U.N. inspectors to Iraq and has been critical of the IAEAs performance with regard to the growing threat posed by Iran. The Bush administration reportedly opposes ElBaradeis attempts to seek reelection for a third term as director general.
The controversy over the IAEAs role in the al Qaqaa missing-stockpile scandal should also be viewed within the context of the increasingly tense relationship between the Bush administration and the United Nations over the war in Iraq and the removal of Saddam Husseins regime.
U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan described the war as an illegal violation of the U.N. Charter in a Sept. 16 interview with the BBC, adding, I hope we do not see another Iraq-type operation for a long time.
Link: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,137121,00.html
This is an example of what the UN does for the US. I simply think us banding together as nations won't work. Us as Americans have our own customs, as do other countries these should stay separated. Also US officials like this Judge should base her views on American laws and no other, if she tries to base a case on international law not our she should be disbarred.
