Is the United Nations destined to go the way of the League of Nations?
This question should be answered within the next few weeks as President Bush seems determined to disarm Saddam Hussein with or without the blessing of the Security Council.
In face of the opposition by others Permanent Members of the Council, notably France and Russia it is going to take a miracle for the United Nations to remain relevant.
Sixty years ago the world was in a similar position Italian forces led by Mussolini invaded Ethiopia, and embarked upon a policy of genocide with the use of mustard gas against innocent Ethiopian civilians. Emperor Haile Selassie was forced to go into exile in Britain. When afforded an opportunity to address the League of Nations, the Emperor told that body how the Italian armies had invaded his country in violation of all international treaties and had used mustard gas as well as bombs against defenseless, citizens.
“Apart from the kingdom of God,” he said “no Nation on this earth is superior to any other. If a strong government can destroy a weak people then the hour has struck for all weak peoples” Emperor Haile Selassie appealed to the League of Nations to give its judgement in all freedom. “God and history will remember your decision”.
As the frail Emperor left the League of Nations assembly hall in Geneva to begin a long and bitter exile there was no voice raised in support of his cause. However, he looked straight ahead and uttered these parting words, “Today it is us, tomorrow it will be you.”
Failure on the part of the major powers to restrain Mussolini and to seek a peaceful resolution led to the breaking up of the League of Nations. Three years later World War 11 got underway.
It is true that Saddam has been defying the Security Council resolutions for the past twelve years. It is equally true that Israel has been ignoring U.N. Security Council resolutions for more than 30 years. I have no love for Saddam, but should the United States and willing coalition partners insist on unilaterally disarming Iraq, these nations would be equally guilty of defying the UN. Security Council.
In absence of such a world body, International Law would be replaced by the law of the jungle when the strong would be able to prey on the weak with an increasing degree of impunity.
Yours etc.,
Clyde F. Phillip
Letter To The Editor, The Nassau Guardian
