US and UN, Who is in Charge?

This summer I spent a couple of weeks getting some extra classes in Chemistry, Algebra II as well as English.  This is one of my better papers.

In 1992, the United Nations created the Unified Task Force (UNITAF) to resolve problems in Somalia.  It was meant to create a safe and secure environment for the delivery of humanitarian aid in Somalia. They were authorized to use "any necessary means" in Chapter VII of the Charter.  The United States created the idea of UNITAF, by offering their military support to lead a “multinational force”.  In the end, the United States sent 28,000 troops, while other countries in total presented 17,000.  United States had central command for all the troops during the Somalia conflicts, including UNITAF, UNOSOMI and UNOSOMII.   Later in 1993, after many violent skirmishes, UNOSOMII initiated military operations both in land and air.  On October 3, 1993 two US helicopters were shot down, and a huge firefight ensued.  In the end, 18 US personnel died and 75 were wounded.  After the event, President Clinton announced that the US would withdraw its troops in March 31 1994.  Thus officially ending the US part of UNOSOMII.  The US losses during the conflict were insignificant; the attack itself was surprising due to the military strength of the United States.   In this and other events in history, when the US takes full control of an operation, it appears there will be failure and bloodshed.  With the US making decisions about the UN in its forming, as well as in other military campaigns and providing financial support, can the UN really say they are in charge, or are they the puppet in the grand scheme of things?  

While the United Nations was founded in 1945, President Franklin D. Roosevelt coined the term in 1942, as 26 nations who were united against the Axis Powers.  In 1945, 50 representatives met in San Francisco at the United Nations Conference on International Organizations to draw up the United Nations Charter.  Finally, the United Nations decided that their permanent home would be in New York City.  Since the US's first use of veto power in 1970, they have been the most frequent user of it. They have vetoed 13 resolutions to date. Eleven of these were regarding the Middle East, one for Bosnia, and one in 1989, following the invasion of Panama.  With their large direct and indirect contributions, influence on the decision making, and even housing the headquarters, the United States has grown to be less a member and more of a master to the United Nations. 

In 2002, the United Nations was voting on Security Council Resolution 1441, regarding the situation in Iraq.  President George W. Bush personally stated that Iraq had committed many violations of previous Gulf War resolutions, such as harboring terrorists and the production and use of weapons of mass destruction.  In the meantime, Iraq denied all charges and even announced that they would permit re-entry of United Nations arm inspectors to search.  The US insisted that this was a ploy and continued to call for a Security Council resolution that would authorize the use of military force.  Thus, legalizing the invasion of Iraq.  This shows that the US can bully its way through UN resolutions and have their way in the end. 

The US also controls the UN in the financial sector.  As of 2010, the United States is the leading financial contributor for UN peacekeeping operations at 27.1%.  Another report shows the breakdown of the United States’ direct and indirect financial contributions during 1996 to 2001.  The US Department of State and Defense directly contributed on average about $3.45 billion during those years.   However, the United States indirectly contributed about $24.2 billion during those years.  The indirect contributions were mainly military support, which is more important due to the fact that they are provided security to the UN.    A member that controls 25% of the UN budget would be hard to ignore, especially if they contributed consistently.

When Americans were asked in 1995 about the US involvement in UN peacekeeping, a majority said that the US was spending too much money and that they were sending more than the fair share of troops.  Another poll shows in July 2006, a large majority stated that the US was playing the role as “world policeman” more than it should be.  Finally another survey showed that 75% of the participants believed that the US should do an equal share as opposed to doing more or less.  This goes to show that the Americans themselves believe that they are doing too much.  Every time America gets into some other countries business, Americans will be lost. 

I personally believe that the United States has control of the UN, and that it would be better for both parties if the United States reduced their involvement.   The United Nations was formed to be a global organization that is in charge of worldwide peacekeeping operations, among other things.      However, I think that with all their recent failures, they can't afford to be the global police.  It is time the Americans step back and let the UN do the job they were formed to do.