From the Scotsman:
United States President George Bush was tonight accused of trying to undermine the United Nations by setting up a rival coalition to coordinate relief following the Asian tsunami disaster.Yes, and how much of the funds will wind up NOT going where it is supposed to? Remember Oil-for-Food, my friends...
The president has announced that the US, Japan, India and Australia would coordinate the world’s response.
But former International Development Secretary Clare Short said that role should be left to the UN.
“I think this initiative from America to set up four countries claiming to coordinate sounds like yet another attempt to undermine the UN when it is the best system we have got and the one that needs building up,” she said.
“Only really the UN can do that job,” she told BBC Radio Four’s PM programme.
In light of Oil-for-Food, here is my favorite part:
“It is the only body that has the moral authority. But it can only do it well if it is backed up by the authority of the great powers.”You see, now it is no longer good enough to get the aid to where it needs to go, the United States HAS to do it through the United Nations. Why? Because the UN supposedly has a record that is wholesome and good. (secret message to Peter van P. - if you are going to comment on this piece, be sure to check out those links - and note that the use of the words "wholesome" and "good" are in fact used in irony - I wouldn't want to be called a liar, so I'll clarify up front.)
Ms Short said the coalition countries did not have good records on responding to international disasters.
She said the US was “very bad at coordinating with anyone” and India had its own problems to deal with.
