UNA-USA PRESIDENT BILL LUERS JOINS THIRTY-SIX PROMINENT FOREIGN POLICY FIGURES IN URGING PRESIDENT-ELECT OBAMA TO REVITALIZE US RELATIONSHIP WITH UN
A group of senior foreign policy leaders from both parties issued a public statement urging the incoming Obama Administration to strengthening the U.S.-UN relationship as one of his early priorities in office. The statement, which also appeared in a full-page advertisement in The New York Times, reads:
In today's rapidly changing world of interdependence, globalization, and transnational threats, the United States must balance a strong military with creative diplomacy to secure America's interests. We must recognize that the United Nations is a critical platform and partner for advancing international cooperation on today's global threats and challenges, such as poverty and disease, nuclear proliferation, terrorism, and climate change.
The UN cannot succeed without strong U.S. leadership and support. The next President has a unique opportunity to revitalize the U.S.-UN relationship as a symbol of America's commitment to constructive international cooperation. This investment will pay off substantially by helping to enhance our standing internationally and strengthen our ability to keep America safe and strong.
Accordingly, we, the undersigned, believe that the incoming Obama Administration should:
· Make an early and visible statement on the United Nations that expresses American commitment to international cooperation through the UN;
· Lead on UN efforts on nuclear proliferation, counterterrorism, climate change and the Millennium Development Goals;
· Play a constructive role in UN reform efforts and updating the UN's management and budgetary systems;
· Pay our debts on time, work to remove Congressional caps, and alter the schedule of U.S. payments so that we are in a position to honor our treaty obligations;
· Engage with the UN on the shared interests of stabilizing Iraq and Afghanistan and supporting effective democratic governments in those countries;
· Obtain a seat on the faltering Human Rights Council and work to influence it from within;
· Underscore our commitment to the system of international agreements and treaties by seeking Senate consent for key treaties signed but not ratified;
· Place well-qualified Americans in open positions at the UN;
· Help manage the growing workload assigned to UN peacekeeping by providing logistical and management expertise and other support needed to enhance UN capacities.
Please read the full statement and a list of the signatories.
In “A Memo to the President-Elect” (.pdf) Ambassador Bill Luers lays out a broad agenda for the new administration’s engagement in the United Nations.
UNA-USA LAUNCHES GRASSROOTS VOICES
United Nations Association of the USA is pleased to launch Grassroots Voices, a new undertaking within its E-Newsletter, to promote cross-chapter dialogue and foster effective civic participation. This feature will serve as a tool for UNA members to voice their opinions on a wide range of issues that concern US foreign policy and the United Nations. Through Grassroots Voices, UNA-USA aims to stimulate new ideas to advance public debate on ways the US and the world can cooperate to address global problems.
Submissions will be judged on writing quality, clarity, supporting materials and how well you meet the criteria outlined in the authors' guide, available below. Submissions will be accepted on a rolling basis and edited at the discretion of UNA-USA. Since Human Rights Day takes place on December 10th, we encourage related submissions. Please read the author's guide (.pdf) for all the details.
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