MyThoughtWorld.com

If I had a pattern of telling you I was going to do something, but then not following through, what would you deduce? Probably you would think me a flake with little or no integrity, and you would be justified in your assessment of me. One thing is certain; you wouldn�t take me seriously the next time I opened my mouth.

This same scenario is being played out between the United Nations (UN) and the Iranian government. It was reported this week that the UN is demanding that Iran cease and desist from its uranium enrichment program. The suspicion is that Iran plans to use this technology for developing nukes.

It was further reported that the statement issued by the UN is not legally binding, but is merely the �first step� in getting Iran to fall in line with nuclear nonproliferation.

What I�m wondering is, why would Iran (or any sentient being for that matter) take the UN seriously? Remember this is the same UN who �strong-armed� Saddam Hussein. The dialogue which lasted approximately a decade between Saddam and the UN went something like this.

UN: Saddam, will you please stop doing all those mean and immoral things you do?
Saddam: No.

After a while of this Q & A, the UN says the following:

UN: Stop or else�
Saddam: Or else what?
UN: Er, uh�Stop or else. (UN officials huddle and start whispering in hushed tones)
UN official 1: �What do we do? He said, �or else what?��
UN official 2: �I don�t know we never thought he�d call our bluff. (UN official 2 scratches head) I know; threaten him with economic sanctions.�
UN: Saddam.
Saddam: Yes.
UN: Our superiors say you must stop your shenanigans at once or we will be forced to impose economic sanctions.
Saddam: And that means exactly what to me?
UN: OK Saddam, you asked for it.
Saddam: Whatever�

After some more threats and angry faces the UN finally imposes sanctions with the tacit agreement of Russia and China. Strangely there is no change in Saddam�s behavior. �And then the unthinkable happened��

UN official 1: I don�t understand. The usual empty threats and sanctions which have no effect on those in power are having no effect on those in power.
UN official 2: Why don�t we try threatening some more?
UN official 1: It hasn�t worked in the past with this guy, but it�s worth a shot.

More threats and economic sanctions are imposed, and can you believe it, Saddam refuses to get with the program? Finally, after much hand wringing and a few more threats of eminent doom, the US steps in and does what should�ve been done a long time ago; they take the xenopsychopath out.

To summarize, basically the UN has no backbone. The Iraqi government didn�t take them seriously, and you can bet that Iran won�t either. Why should they? If what they�ve done in the past is any indication of how they do business with rogue countries, there�s no reason to put any stock in what they say. Time will tell, but when Iran continues on its merry way with nuclear proliferation or some other WMDs program, (in blatant disregard for the UN�s �demands�) remember you heard it here first.

Chad Phillips

Categories: "propaganda" pages
Tags: