THE WASHINGTON TIMES: UNITED NATIONS | Declaring "the United States is back," the Obama administration pledged Wednesday to turn more frequently to the United Nations and work with the world body on the basis of decency and mutual respect, rather than condescension and contempt.
"Over the past six months, the United States has taken a fresh look at our positions across the board - including some policies that left many scratching their heads to understand what we objected to, policies that failed to advance our interests or our values," Susan E. Rice, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, said in a speech at New York University's Center for Global Affairs.
Ms. Rice explicitly reversed two of the George W. Bush administration's main policies toward the United Nations by declaring the United States "would no longer oppose mentions of reproductive health or the International Criminal Court."
She did not mention by name Mr. Bush or senior officials of his administration, who sometimes subjected the world body to harsh criticism and ridicule.
"We will increase U.S. support to U.N. peacekeeping," Ms. Rice said, citing the possibility of expanded U.S. contributions of military staff officers, military observers, civilian police and civilian personnel to U.N. missions.
President Obama has frequently praised the United Nations in his public remarks, and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has been a longtime advocate of international cooperation on transnational issues.
"Engaging across the full U.N. membership is more than good manners. It's also smart diplomacy," Ms. Rice said. >>> Betsy Pisik | Thursday, August 13, 2009
