The Iraq War and the United Nations

Abstract

There are facts in history that, apart from their relief, take on importance for those who involve or are complicated. The recent war of the United States and England against Iraq is one of these facts. The conflict, of course, already in itself, is worthy of attracting attention and, in fact, has attracted it, as the whole world has been aware of its beginning, implementation, development and resolution. But, as much or more than him, these other two facts deserve attention: first, the excessive and colossal reaction that the conflict has provoked around the world, in the form of massive demonstrations against him in Asia, Europe and Latin America mainly. Never in the past, as I may remember, have street protests taken place in such abundance and of such great magnitude and it is not because wars and conflicts of all kinds have been scarce. But the reaction has never been so extreme.

The second fact is that the conflict has been to highlight the weakness or, even better, non-existence of the pompously called international order and thus to place with them the current structure, organization and effectiveness of the United Nations and, by the way, of that other international organization, the OAS, which, although not directly involved and affected by the current conflict, shares with them the mission and the honour of being responsible and sustainers of the international order , in a precarious and very difficult situation. The complaints came, it is true, from afar, but only now, in the face of the consummated fact of the Iraq war, carried out without permission or authorization of the United Nations Security Council, has the ineffectiveness of these to resolve conflicts been highlighted and deeper in the conscience of the people. There is no need to stress that this crisis, in terms of faith and belief in the power of the United Nations to resolve problems and conflicts between States, is very serious. The other major even crisis, that of the League of Nations, preceded in a short time at the start of the Second Great World War and that is why this new crisis, which peraltas the inefficiency couple of the United Nations, fills us with apprehension. May God or Allah want it, that equal or similar facts do not follow in history equal consequences!