Tuesday, May 30, 2006
UN legitimacy
In a terse announcement in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, Russia last week signaled that the time had come for it to revisit the doctrine of collective security in the face of growing encirclement by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Asia Times
Russia clearly feels threatened. The article tells of a proposal next month that the 'Collective Security Treaty Organization' (CSTO), at present with a regional security remit, should modestly parallel NATO by acting outwith its area. Members are Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.
What is preventing the United Nations from designating as UN special agencies the proliferating collective security organisations (such as NATO, CSTO, African Union) - if each is willing to operate outwith its locality? This would give the organisations direction and legitimacy.
Update
1. Australia has done well, but Asia needs a posse, not just a lonely sheriff
ANOTHER week, another failing Pacific state: Australia must be wearying of the troubles in its backyard. This time it is Timor-Leste, or East Timor as it was until recently known.
Why should Australia assume all these burdens? The simple answer is that no one else is willing. Whenever things get tough in the South Pacific, the call goes out not to the United Nations in New York but to the prime minister's lodge in Canberra. . .It would be better for all if Asia could draw on something like the sort of institutional arrangements that Europe enjoys in the shape of NATO and the EU. That will not be easy. The two biggest powers of East Asia, Japan and China do not get on, and both are distrusted by smaller countries in the region. Yet a start could be made by the countries of ASEAN. . .
2. Russia to Boost Military Cooperation with West — Official
Russia clearly feels threatened. The article tells of a proposal next month that the 'Collective Security Treaty Organization' (CSTO), at present with a regional security remit, should modestly parallel NATO by acting outwith its area. Members are Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.
What is preventing the United Nations from designating as UN special agencies the proliferating collective security organisations (such as NATO, CSTO, African Union) - if each is willing to operate outwith its locality? This would give the organisations direction and legitimacy.
Update
1. Australia has done well, but Asia needs a posse, not just a lonely sheriff
ANOTHER week, another failing Pacific state: Australia must be wearying of the troubles in its backyard. This time it is Timor-Leste, or East Timor as it was until recently known.
Why should Australia assume all these burdens? The simple answer is that no one else is willing. Whenever things get tough in the South Pacific, the call goes out not to the United Nations in New York but to the prime minister's lodge in Canberra. . .It would be better for all if Asia could draw on something like the sort of institutional arrangements that Europe enjoys in the shape of NATO and the EU. That will not be easy. The two biggest powers of East Asia, Japan and China do not get on, and both are distrusted by smaller countries in the region. Yet a start could be made by the countries of ASEAN. . .
2. Russia to Boost Military Cooperation with West — Official
# posted by IJ @ 8:48 AM 
