I don’t like the UN. So I jump at any example I see of them behaving badly. There are plenty, but this? Left-wingers love the UN, so to see them trading arms, and killing endangered animals - pure schadenfreude.
UN Peacekeepers in the Congo have been (again) accused of trading their guns for local ivory and gold. The guns fuel the war, and the poaching fuels the race to extinction of all the endangered animals in the war zone - including the rare mountain gorillas:
The armed groups in Virunga have shown no hesitation in exploiting international concern over endangered animal species to further their ends. Gorillas have been targeted by both poachers and armed groups looking to focus attention on their aims.
Conservationists fear that UN peacekeepers, who are meant to bring some measure of peace to eastern Congo, may have played a role.
Allegations have circulated - and been denied - that in 2004 and 2005 peacekeepers from India and Pakistan were trading guns and ammunition with the rebels for ivory and gold. In one case, peacekeepers even reportedly flew a UN helicopter out to swap ammunition for ivory.
“The concern is that this news is filtering through to the well-armed groups in the area who now see an opportunity to raise funds by killing elephants for ivory,” said the Nairobi-based organisation WildlifeDirect, which announced the elephant killings.
It said that an array of factions were responsible for the 14 deaths since April 14.
Rwandan rebels had killed four, villagers killed two, and eight were slain by Mai Mai rebels and the Congolese army.
This report above is about the Congo, but dig a little and you can find other reports from the BBC, from the Herald Tribune, alleging that UN troops are committing similar crimes in Zimbabwe.
Open questions to lefties reading this - what do you really think your beloved UN will do about these crimes? Do you think they will punish the troops? Fine the countries? Or do you think they will do precisely nothing and / or try and cover it up? And do you think funding these blue-hatted barbarians’ trips into war zones is a good use of our UN contributions?
This is absolutely awful and needs to stop…
Click on the second link - the one linking to the BBC and Herald Trib - they have a lot more information on what’s happening to the Mountain Gorillas. It’s horrific. The rebels are eating them.
This is just sick!
I am at a loss for words….
“Open questions to lefties reading this - what do you really think your beloved UN will do about these crimes? Do you think they will punish the troops? Fine the countries?”
It’s terrible. I have to wonder why this isn’t going on in Iraq and Afghanistan with similar side deals for different resources being made. Surely it is. Do you wonder that too, even though the UN isn’t involved?
War is war; people are people. What is it about UN forces that makes them inherently more dangerous or susceptible to this corruption than other military forces?
UN forces are non-combatants. They’re supposed to stand between the warring factions and exercise moral authority.
“What is it about UN forces that makes them inherently more dangerous or susceptible to this corruption than other military forces?”
Wrong question. They’re supposed to be inherently less susceptible to corruption than other military forces. That’s why it’s such an outrage.
Finally on ’side deals’ - do you honestly think that Canadian forces are engaging in side deals in Afghanistan for - well, I suppose for opium? Do you honestly think that’s happening? And if not, then we’re not talking about something inherent to all military forces, but to certain military forces. In which case, what is that ‘certain something’ that is characteristic of those military forces that makes them give in to temptation? And coming back to the UN, do its forces share that characteristic? And if they do, then is it right to invest so much faith in the UN - so much faith, that is, that like the Liberals and NDP, we should surrender our foreign policy to them?
Does anyone here drink Coke? They have manufacturing plants in Zimbabwe. Have they done anything to pull back this country from the brink of civil war? I’m more outraged at apathy and mission statements about profit margins, than an over-burdened international organization.
Alas, the UN doesn’t make tasty carbonated drinks.
I think the focus is misguided here.
Are you freaking kidding? Forget about the UN selling weapons to combatants in exchange for the bones of endangered animals - forget about that, because Coca Cola has a licensing agreement with some company in Zimbabwe? I seldom say this to a commenter - but that thing you said, that’s just stupid.
Hold on a moment, Robert, she may have something there!
I thing that international Corporations ought not be building private armies - most of us would agree on that, right?
So they cannot, in any practical way, enforce peace - or pull a country from the brink of any war…and most wars are not very civil at that! So Aubrey is correct in her statement that they are not overstepping their legal role. And that is a good thing, right?
Aubrey also says that they are STILL operating a manufacturing plant there. Wow! How brave of them!
Even after many other companies buggered out and abandoned ship, Coca-Cola is still providing employment in Zimbabwe? A corporation, responsibly ’sticking it out’ in a violence-prone region, providing at least SOME economic relief to the otherwise destitute populace? Giving at least SOME jobs and hope? I wonder how many lives they are saving from starvation by their support!
Are there others who are as responsibly?
And while I don’t comprehend Audrey’s affect (but, that is my disability, and I am dealing with it as best I can, compensating for it with my strength - logic), I think she has just brought out some extremely praiseworthy behaviour on the side of Coca-Cola. I think I’ll go open me up one!
Thank you, Audrey, for sharing such a positive story with all of us!