It appears that a potentially catastrophic United Nations shutdown has been averted, and all Benny Avni of the New York Sun can do is lament. Indeed, he seems to be parroting Ambassador Bolton, who told reporters yesterday, "While the expenditure cap is going to come off this week one way or another, it would not be right to conclude from that that we made substantial progress or any progress at all on management reform."
"The United States will drop its insistence that rich nations withhold funds from the U.N. budget next month unless management reforms are enacted, U.S. Ambassador John Bolton said on Friday." [Full story]
"United National officials were on Monday trying to break a diplomatic impasse after the Sudanese government suspended their operations in the western region of Darfur.
"There are few issues on which there is greater consensus, or higher expectations, than on the responsibility of the United Nations to help States and societies recover from the devastation of war," Secretary-General Kofi Annan declared as the Commission's Organizational Committee began its inaugural session.
"The Commission represents a symbol of both hope and perseverance: hope for the many millions of people throughout the world who are striving to keep their societies on the fragile road to peace; and perseverance, because you have overcome considerable difficulties to get this new and vital endeavour up and running."
"A World Health Organization investigation showed that the H5N1 virus mutated slightly in an Indonesian family cluster on Sumatra island, but bird flu experts insisted Friday it did not increase the possibility of a human pandemic." [More]
A sampling of United Nations related blog commentary
PSD Blog covers World Refugee Day: "UNHCR, Nike, Microsoft and Right to Play chose World Refugee Day to launch ninemillion.org, a campaign "to create a global community dedicated to giving the world's refugee youth the chance to learn and play." The elegantly designed website features personal refugee stories and a 30-second public service announcement from Brazilian soccer star, and UNDP Goodwill Ambassador, Ronaldo. Nike has donated 40,000 soccer balls specially designed to endure harsh conditions at refugee camps."
Mcjoan at Daily Kos asks if Sen. Santorum trumped UN inspectors in Iraq.
Michelle Malkin repeats conservative canards about the United Nations Small Arms Review Conference.
Mojo has more on the UN, the NRA, and small arms: "the NRA tends, quite often, to stoke and inflame conservative fears that the UN really is plotting to erect some sinister world government or other that will take away all our guns."
To believe conspiracy theorists like National Rifle Association president Wayne LaPierre, the United Nations Small Arms Review Conference is one step on the slippery slope toward global mind control. But back here on planet earth, the conference will address best practices for combating the illicit trafficking of small arms by transnational criminal organizations.
Late last week the UN Secretary-General announced that, in response to requests from both President Bush and the Iraqi government, the United Nations will provide strong support in developing an "international compact" for Iraq.