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January 02, 2005
Claiming the credit ...
It is interesting to see the various UN functionaries claiming credit for all the Aid pouring into the areas hit by the catastrophe last Sunday. The Secretary General himself is constantly telling us how much aid the UN has "delivered" or is "delivering". Funny that; first because, so far, according to several alternative sources and the rest of the news media, the aid delivered all appears to have been carried in on US military aircraft or ships or by privately chartered aircraft hired by a variety of Aid Organisations such as the Red Cross, the Johanniter Organisation, St John Ambulance, Christian Aid, the Red Crescent and other "voluntary" bodies. I haven't seen anything labelled UN actually being delivered by UN personnel to the people at the beachhead on the beach.
The only thing I can conclude from this is that the UN suffers from the same problem as the British Government - a flock of Sir Humphreys all giving the relevant Minister the glib assurance that "everything is being done" and "the people on the ground are all doing everything they can to deliver what we have sent". All of which means the same - our people are safely in the best hotel in town shuffling papers because we haven't actually sent anything except them and the paperwork. Sounds good, even looks good - as long as no one looks behind the news desk!
I share the Diplomad's annoyance at the way the UN's functionaries are claiming credit for things they have had no involvement with, no input into, and absolutely no hand in delivering. The studious way in which many of the news agencies are also failing to mention just how much the US is putting into this is disgraceful, to say the very least.
Perhaps it is time for the politicians to get out of the way and let the people who know what and how to do these things get on with the job. It is no thanks to Mr Blair or any of his cabinet that the British populace have dug into their pockets and donated a pound for every living soul in this Kingdom. The surprise is that Mr Brown hasn't tried to tax it! The fact is that Britain's contribution is mostly a voluntary one, the spontaneous reaction of the populace and the work of the various charitable societies. There is no way that the credit for this should be given to any government department or to the UN.
The truth is that the Aid is reaching those most in need thanks to US carrier-borne helicopters, military units, and aircraft from the stricken nations themselves, and a few other units despatched from Europe. The UN has, as yet, only sent its usual hordes of bureaucrats and hangers-on. It is proving itself to be as useless as always in a crisis and demonstrates yet again that it is an overblown bureaucracy which is in serious need of radical overhaul. If it is not and if it continues in its present form and under its present incompetent management it will eventually be relegated to the dustbin of history.
Don't be fooled by the rhetoric and the claims these charlatans are making about "their" efforts - the real work is being done by everyone but them!
Posted by The Gray Monk at January 2, 2005 09:06 AM
Comments
Frankly, I don't care who takes the credit at this moment. The important thing is that the Aid actually reaches the people in need. It may be very true that the UN is not very efficient and does have an overgrown bureaucracy. But this is not the time to lament or discuss it. That should be done when the catastrophe is dealt with. Wasn't it you who wrote a few days ago that now is not the time for putting up competitions but that what matters most are the people who need our help?
Posted by: The Scarlet Manuka at January 2, 2005 11:21 PM
MB would beg to differ to a high degree, as that "claiming credit" is part and parcel of the UN 'functionaries' taking every opportunity to slam the US in public, meanwhile begging us in private to do the heavy lifting whilst they prance in front of the cameras. If they had not been so ungracious at the very beginning, and given some credit for the fact that we had already started things in motion for actually doing work, perhaps we wouldn't feel so badly used once again. Claiming George Bush was "on vacation", when he is surrounded by the latest in telecommunications and was already lining things up logistically doesn't square with the UN Sec. Gen. being completely incommunicado on the ski slopes.
Posted by: MommaBear at January 3, 2005 01:11 AM
Please remember that the Aussies, beat the americans to alot of places
Posted by: skipjack at January 3, 2005 02:05 AM
Absolutely no intent to overlook the wonderful Aussies, but, unfortunately, it's the Americans who are actively being slammed on purpose by the MSM and the lefties with malice aforethought !!
Posted by: MommaBear at January 3, 2005 12:52 PM
The Scarlet Manuka has a valid point in that the "credit" is not what is most important here, the delivery of the aid is all important. Unfortunately, it would certainly seem that in many ways, the UN's interference is likely to reduce the levels of efficiency to the point that it will be delayed rather than expedited.
I think we all recognise that, once the immediate crisis is dealt with, the UN is the organisation that will have to remain to oversee the rebuilding and the longterm work, that is not the function of any of the forces currently doing the work. My hope is that the UN will ensure that its usual crew of luxury loving and corruption supporting functionaries are replaced by people who are prepared to do the job they are there for and not simply live it up at the expense of those they are supposed to help.
For now, the problem is getting the Aid to those who are starving, dying and in danger. That is best done by the military contingents and the Aid charities who are already doing this. The UN should focus on facilitating that effort - and leave well alone! The last thing anyone needs in a crisis is visits from those who think they are important - such as the immaculately attired "VIP's" from the UN recently filmed picking their way through the remains of Banda Aceh!
Posted by: The Gray Monk at January 7, 2005 02:11 PM