The US should maintain an active role in UN reform
Don Kraus
Letter to the Editor
Christian Science Monitor
March 21, 2006

Regarding the March 17 article, "US frowns at UN's new rights watchdog": The creation of a new United Nations Human Rights Council is a positive step forward for the global community and US foreign policy. There is now a legitimate forum in which we can tackle the worst crimes known to man.

The council should have - and could have - more closely reflected the original vision outlined by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. However, this did not happen, in part due to the inability of US Ambassador John Bolton to make key US positions clear to US allies. Constructive US engagement in the coming months and years is vital for the council to be strong and ensure that human rights abusers are left on the sidelines of the new council.

To Mr. Bolton's credit, his statement at the General Assembly after the council was adopted properly reiterated the United States' commitment to support all UN institutions that advance democracy and human rights, and to strengthen this vital multilateral organization. Such a task will not be easy.
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Securing a positive outcome on a host of critical UN issues in the coming months, including the election of Mr. Annan's successor, will take hard work, sustained focus, and discipline. US foreign policy interests require that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice put this among her highest priorities.

Don Kraus is Executive Vice President at Citizens for Global Solutions

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