United Nations Status

As you may have heard, the Palestinian State and the Vatican (both nonmember observers) were added to the list of nations and had their flags added to flag staffs at the UN this week; the first time the protocol has been changed since the United Nations was formed, October 24, 1945, in place of the League of Nations. It originally had but 51 members and has grown to 193 (plus 2). As part of it’s charter the UN has participated in nearly all major and most minor conflicts, primarily as a keeper of peace between disputing groups. Depending upon your point of view, the organization is known for peace and human development while others claim it to be ineffective, corrupt or biased.

The UN is the seat of some impressive offices including The General Assembly, The Security Council, UN Secretariat, International Court of Justice, UN Economic & Social Council and the UN Trusteeship Council. With the affirmation of the two newest members will come all privileges including voting privileges which will take a new shape depending upon the view points of the new member states.

Needless to say, both Israel and the US voiced significant protests to the addition of the Palestinian’s for all the obvious reasons. While neither are a part of the security council, their allegiances will most certainly play an important part of future decisions, no matter how good or bad they might be.

While the addition of new members to the UN is certainly a reason to celebrate, such a breach of protocol after 70 years would certainly seem more politically motivated rather than the motivation of a well-meaning body. After all, if you were one of the nations that had to jump through the hoops required for membership, wouldn’t you feel a bit cheated to see two nonmember organizations being given membership so easily?

It all may simply be a gesture of good will, but only time will tell if these new inductee’s will serve the charter well or if they will only be interested in their personal agendas.