President Bush’s decision to appoint John Bolton as the
United States’ ambassador to the United Nations despite
partisan maneuvering should be applauded. Much of the controversy
surrounding Bolton’s nomination relates to his willingness to
speak critically of the United Nations, as well as his refusal to
compromise on basic principles. Criticisms of Bolton’s
candidacy relate primarily to his view of the organization’s
deeply flawed manner of operation. The New York Times blasted
Bolton for his “lack of respect for (the United Nations) and
his deeply undiplomatic, bullying style of doing business.”
It is no surprise that Bolton’s criticisms of the United
Nations outrages the left, which views the organization with
veneration that often borders on religiousness.
Yet the views of Americans and those of the
Republican-controlled Congress and administration are hardly at
odds with Bolton’s. Just 37 percent of Americans view the
United Nations favorably, according to a June 2005 Rasmussen poll.
This change, down from 44 percent in last November, has been linked
to the U.N. food-for-oil scandal, and shows that the corruption at
the United Nations’ highest levels have damaged both the
organization’s effectiveness and its reputation. Most
notably, Kojo Annan, son of U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan,
accepted kickbacks from U.N. funds earmarked for Iraqi relief.
More troubling is the scandal’s implications on the United
Nations’ role as an international governing body. Close
scrutiny of the food-for-oil scandal reveals that Saddam Hussein
paid off several key members of United Nations, incidentally,
countries (such as France, Russia and China) that used their clout
to oppose the war. Bolton’s criticisms ““ and
appointment ““ could not be timelier. Far from a radical
ideologue, Bolton embodies the great degree of skepticism that many
Americans feel, justifiably, toward the United Nations.
While much of bad policy in the U.S. (such as restrictions on
trade) results from the politics of democracy, the United
Nations’ warped policies result from a fundamentally flawed
system; corrupt regimes that severely restrict personal freedoms
are placed on equal footing with free democracies. In the United
Nations, democracies willingly allow criminal leaders of other
countries to control world affairs. Because brutal dictatorships
make poor members of a democratic global organization, an
international governing body composed of illegitimate countries
ultimately lacks legitimacy. In one glaring example of the farcical
state of affairs, Freedom House, a nonpartisan human rights
organization, reports that as many as 30 percent of the countries
on the U.N. Commission on Human Rights have atrocious human rights
records.
Those on the left refuse to admit the United State’s
supremacy outside of their claims that the U.S. has an obligation
to provide economic relief to developing countries. Nevertheless,
the U.S. is, and will continue to be, the world leader ““
economically, morally and certainly militarily. While other
countries sometimes fear American power, they nonetheless turn to
our leadership when faced with serious challenges. Consequently,
our country has earned a role in the world community greater than
any other. What some refer to as Bolton’s tendency to bully
should instead be viewed as a necessary confidence in the position
of the U.S. as the world superpower.
It is fitting that Bolton, the former undersecretary of state
for arm’s control, has been appointed to the diplomatic post.
Keeping powerful weapons away from irresponsible countries (and
their pet terrorist groups) is of utmost concern. Bolton’s
experience and principled stances translate into a potential
ability to reform the United Nations for the same reasons that the
Democratic leadership lambasted his candidacy. Only a principled
individual with no qualms about confronting corruption can affect
change; a compromising politician who strives to please every side
cannot. With Bolton’s representation, perhaps the United
Nations will someday earn the legitimacy now blindly ascribed to
the organization by those on the political left.
Lazar is the vice chairman of Bruin Republicans.