Reason Prevails
At least one might wish that it was reason that prevailed in denying The Republic of Iran a temporary, two-year regional seat on the United Nation's Security Council.Such United Nations' elections undertaken regularly on a rotating basis to offer member countries the opportunity to represent on various councils similar to the inter-governmental body known as the The Human Rights Council seem to attract nations whose track records in human-rights abuse would seem to disqualify them for representation, but somehow it never seems to work that way.
Countries well known for their human rights abuses sit on UN inter-governmental bodies, sitting in judgement of other member nations whose record is far superior to theirs, but their exalted position on these bodies, however temporary, lends them an aura of credence and respect. Their positions on such bodies creates the opportunity for such countries to seek to draw attention to the records of countries whom they cherish their right to spurn and to malign.
Hardly the stuff of mutual acceptance and communally respectful co-operation in the world body whose mandate is to moderate conflict and misunderstandings between nations and to ensure peace prevails world-wide. Yet Iran, confident that it could count on the support of Muslim and developing nations of the Non-Aligned Group, prepared itself to take a seat on the Council.
In its public relations campaign to entice other countries to vote for its ascension to the two-year term, Iran claimed itself to be "firmly committed to ... the goal of a world free from weapons of mass destruction". In a world where black is white and your enemies are your friends, this kind of misleading sophistry would fly; in a decent world of rational thought, that declaration is an insult to intelligence.
Canada, the United States and other countries of the West opposed Iran's attempt to suborn truth and reality, determined that Japan would fill the position for the vacant Asia seat. It's interesting to note that among the countries supportive of Iran, Pakistan was represented. Iran encourages terrorism and the spread of Shia jihad, while Pakistan is now in the throes of trying to beat it back.
Shared religious adherence, even with the bitter sectarian divide, trumps all other interests; the tribe mentality triumphs. But then, countries in Asia, Africa and South America are distrustful of Western, developed nations, and this despite that these are the very nations who dredge their treasuries to provide economic relief on an ongoing basis for those very same countries.
It's a human failing; we tend to resent those to whom we become materially indebted. Which never stops us from continuing to demand our just due; the wealthy giving to the impoverished. With the certain knowledge that a sense of social responsibility in liberal, socially advanced societies will always prevail, to ensure that that sense of entitlement will be respected.
Hurray, reason has prevailed, and Japan takes the vacant two-year Asia seat. As a country deserving of international respect and honour, this is a fitting outcome to a suspenseful challenge.
Labels: Political Realities, United Nations
posted by Pieface @ Friday, October 17, 2008
<< Home