This week, a lot of
mental and physical effort was invested in a furry of diplomatic activities,
when the Universal Organisation opened its doors during its 64th Session.
With the emergence of a TRI-POLAR world and the active participation of the
so-called “rouge states”, each contesting for a position of relevance, a New
United Nations seem to be taking shape.
The world society kicked off to a bad start, at the beginning of this century
through clenched fisted, nicotine-stained teeth and bayonet diplomacy. As a
result, many centrifugal and centripetal forces emerged, forcefully requesting
for audience in the Committee of Nations.
They had mastered the problems of military intelligence, international law and
diplomacy and can now present their grievances with audible battle-cries. They
have put emphasis on the right of all nations to self-determination in order to
help minorities free themselves from the iron law of oppression by majorities.
All over the world, major ethnic groups appropriate national resources, corner
more favourable national appointments regardless of the existence of better
qualified and experienced minority personalities. This often leads to rancor,
disaffection and eventually to armed struggle.
Poverty among minorities has increased and Mr. Banki-Moon, the UN
Secretary-General noted this in his UN speech.
The Economic reforms, which Boris Yeltsin started upon coming to power, which
Putin pushed through, jailing some oligarchs, have brought prosperity to Russia.
The planned economic programme by the Chinese Communist Party has proved successful
and China is moving progressively with time. India and the Asian tigers are on
the move.
The ascendancy of Africans in all walks of international life will continue but
there has to be a development of mental and cerebral culture, in which the best
should govern. “A little learning is a dangerous thing”, said Alexander Pope.
Failure to advance in the fields of science and technology throws Africa into a
consumer/debt peonage, since we depend on the intellectual prowess of other
races.
Modernisation, good living and better life in greater freedom can only become
real through national innovative thinking and planning. Wishful thinking is
deceitful.
Gunning for ministerial appointments and not performing cannot create wealth and
prosperity. Visions that turn to illusions within years are unhelpful. Sporadic,
fire brigade drives do not last.
The World has become a turning-wheel and we are all at its vortex. The Obama New
America has internalized the fact that old ways must be jettisoned, so the US
President came to the United Nations this week, armed, not with ballistic
missiles, a belligerent mien and equally belligerent prose, but with a flashing
meadow smile, a warm hand-shake for other leaders.
Their various responses were enthusiastic and genuine. The sobering assessment
from around the globe is that Obama has successfully turned-around American
diplomatic rating and the attitudes of other states are becoming more positive
,the remnants of old animosities, notwithstanding.
From my observation and seminar discussions at BOSAS INTERNATIONAL LAW BUREAU,
by knowers, the world is listening to the United States once more, with
interest, rapt attention and a willingness to reciprocate.
It is not that President Barack Obama is saying new things. It is the erudition
that he brings into matters that wins the aces.
While the film-maker, Michael Moore thinks that ‘capitalism has failed”,
President Obama is working to revive the system. Obviously, there are objective
factors that tend to resist any gloss put on the system right now. How
persistent this trend becomes will detonate in the next three years, if the
American economy plays only” south of the border, down Mexico way”
The UN will be affected if the US economy continues to decline. The burden will
become unbearable and with a government that does not hide its head in the sand
like an ostrich, the US will soon cry out.
New Proposals for a New United Nations.
There should be regionalization of the United Nations into five regions, to wit:
The Central region should be made up of the United States, Canada and Latin
America. The Asian region will be made up of China, Japan, Malaya, Singapore,
etc.The Oceana will be made up of Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Philippines
etc.The African Region, the Arab region and Nordic states bring up the rear..
Geographers may do some editorial work on my broad generalizations.
Deputy Secretaries-Generals will be appointed to man these regions. The regions
will be self-financing.
The
minute details of these plans are being worked out at BOSAS INTERNATIONAL LAW
BUREAU, Abuja, FCT, Nigeria.
The United Nations must continue to adhere to the fundamentals of International
Law, the Law of Treaties, and Diplomatic Law, comitias gentium, reciprocity and
due diligence in participating in the work of the United Nations Organisation.
During the present session, more constructive engagements have taken place and
more positive diplomatic achievements have been recorded.
The most exciting news to come out of this UN session is the historic, unanimous
decision on global disarmament.
It is time for the international community to focus more on international
banking and financing. Banks, in most states, have establish themselves as
institutions and they enjoy a virtual monopoly over the payment systems, grant
customers credits, settlement and they take other financial risks.
As of now, there is “not really such a thing as a truly international banking
and financing system because banks exist and operate under the laws of the
relevant countries, where they carry out their banking and financing business
and the laws of various nations do not necessarily coordinate with the laws of
other states”, otherwise the BCCI, Murdoch and Stanford financial scams, would
have been dictated in good time.
The United Nations ought to concern itself with the activities of private banks
and financial institutions operating internationally, and international
financial institutions operating internationally having been established by
agreements.
The SWIFT and CHIPs systems play major roles in international money transfers. I
would like to see efficient control and monitoring oversight by a UN organ that
should also tighten the procedures for issuing bonds and the transfer of credit.
The developing states have a porous banking system and get ripped off as a
result of the collaborative efforts between local and international swindlers.
Nigeria has been a constructive player at the United Nations since 1961.As the
most populous state in Africa; it will be anomalous not to hear her voice within
the Chambers of the UN Security Council.
Nigeria’s Permanent seat at the United Nations is a matter of universal justice,
equity and good conscience. To continue to exclude a major player at the UN
since 1961, will remain an evanescent mystic.
Professor Dr. Emmanuel Omoh Esiemokhai is the Academic Chancellor, BOSAS
INTERNATIONAL LAW BUREAU, Abuja, FCT, Nigeria.
Published
September 30th, 2009