quote:

Originally posted by George Smiley FFS Yoepus, the UN doesn't have ANY forces. What part of that do you not understand???

This arguement is academic...

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You think these people dies BECAUSE the UN got involved?!

I would agree with Yoepus on this issue.
The UN can't be everything and FFS if you're going to step in, step the f@#$ IN.
Get concrete commitments from those involved.
Some countries need to come forward and take affirmative action in helping out in this world.

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Its a sorry state of affairs when people around the world are being slaughtered and altho people realise this is a bad thing, all they are concerned about is having someone else to blame. The UK has the power to make a difference, so does America, so does Israel or France, but none of them want to (ok so they do on occasions when it suits them but..) What can the UN do when the major military powers do not want to become involved? Get blamed by the powers that refuse to become involved, thats what they do

Ok, so you've listed what...4 countries? Out of how many total that have the capabilities to help out?
Some countries just don't have the resolve (*Italy-in-Iraq*cough*) before they bow out to political pressure at home.
It's understood that no country is going put it's soldiers in front of a firing squad for nothing. However if a country does commit, it better make damn sure it does whatever it takes to stick to that commitment.
The UN gets a lot of blame because it can't be trusted anymore.
Bloated beaucracy, scandal, failing commitments; who the hell would trust that??
Granted they do have wings like UNICEF and ilk that do good things, but for military intervention, they just don't get strong enough commitments from the countries involved...
IMHO, that's worse than no commitment at all...

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The grey rain-curtain of this world rolls back, and all change to silver glass...and then you see it...
...white shores...and beyond...the far green country under a swift sunrise."