Sam
08-26-2005, 07:32 AM
As some of you may know, the UN is in the process of trying to reform itself in a number of ways. John Bolton, the new US ambassador, has had a rather interesting role in the process. He has been editing the current version of the document they've been putting together for about a year to reflect the American approach to UN reform.
Here are some of Bolton's edits:
(Items in italics were removed)
p.1: CUT: "respect for nature"
p. 2: CHANGE: "We understand the (critical) important role played by major United Nations conferences and summits..."
p. 3: CUT: "corporate responsibility and accountability"
p. 3: CUT: "and urge all states that have not done so to sign, ratify and implement the United Nations Convention Against Corruption"
p. 8: CUT: “Undertake concerted global action to address climate change through meeting all commitments and obligations under the Kyoto Protocol, the UNFCCC and other relevant international agreements, increase energy efficiency, technological innovations, and to initiate negotiations to develop a more inclusive international framework for climate change beyond 2012, with broader participation by both developing and developed countries, taking into account the principle of common but differentiated responsibility."
p.11: CHANGE: "promoting equal opportunity for (participation and representation) of men and women to participate in government decision making bodies…"
p.23: CUT: "We emphasize the responsibilities of all states, in conformity with the charter to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, without distinctions of any kind, such as to race, (colour), sex, language, or religion, (political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.)"
p. 28: CUT: "We support reform of the Security Council to make it more efficient, (transparent) and effective."
Here are some of Bolton's edits:
(Items in italics were removed)
p.1: CUT: "respect for nature"
p. 2: CHANGE: "We understand the (critical) important role played by major United Nations conferences and summits..."
p. 3: CUT: "corporate responsibility and accountability"
p. 3: CUT: "and urge all states that have not done so to sign, ratify and implement the United Nations Convention Against Corruption"
p. 8: CUT: “Undertake concerted global action to address climate change through meeting all commitments and obligations under the Kyoto Protocol, the UNFCCC and other relevant international agreements, increase energy efficiency, technological innovations, and to initiate negotiations to develop a more inclusive international framework for climate change beyond 2012, with broader participation by both developing and developed countries, taking into account the principle of common but differentiated responsibility."
p.11: CHANGE: "promoting equal opportunity for (participation and representation) of men and women to participate in government decision making bodies…"
p.23: CUT: "We emphasize the responsibilities of all states, in conformity with the charter to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, without distinctions of any kind, such as to race, (colour), sex, language, or religion, (political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.)"
p. 28: CUT: "We support reform of the Security Council to make it more efficient, (transparent) and effective."