Not such an "irrelevant organization" after all

February 14, 2003:

"On the eve of a U.N. session that may determine whether
the United States goes to war with many allies or a few, President Bush
on Thursday challenged the United Nations to "rise to its
responsibilities" to confront Iraq.
Speaking to sailors and other naval personnel here, Bush enumerated the
countries and groups that have expressed support for military action
against Iraq, and dared the U.N. Security Council to authorize military
force or become an "ineffective, irrelevant debating society."

October 24, 2003:

"The United Nations is a vital international arena for
countries to cooperate in pursuit of political, economic, and social
freedoms. Founded by 51 Member countries after World War II, the
organization has grown through the years to include 191 Member States.
On United Nations Day, we celebrate the organization's founding
principles of freedom, democracy, and human rights, and we recognize
the contributions of the United Nations to improving lives around the
world.
As an original signatory of the United Nations Charter, the United
States continues to advance the United Nations' founding principles. We
are working with the United Nations to reduce conflicts around the
world, fight terrorism, abolish trafficking in persons, and support
those in need, including the people of Afghanistan and Iraq as they
continue to build free and stable countries. As we commemorate the 58th
anniversary of the United Nations, we honor the victims of the recent
bombing of the United Nations headquarters in Baghdad who worked to
advance peace and freedom. NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President
of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in
me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby
proclaim October 24, 2003, as United Nations Day. I urge the Governors
of the 50 States, the Governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and
the officials of other areas under the flag of the United States to
honor the observance of United Nations Day with appropriate ceremonies
and activities."

Posted by flow Frazao on October 24, 2003 at 06:16 PM | Permalink