IS THERE JUSTICE IN THE UN?

IS THERE JUSTICE IN THE UN? The veto power exercised by any of the five members of the United Nations' Security Council is tantamount to global terrorism. Western democracy remains a sham so long as decisions reached by a large majority can be vetoed by any single member. It is a shame that those who claim to practice democracy at home are dictators abroad. It is state terrorism at Security Council level. At the top of this list is America with its long list of vetoes on UN resolutions condemning Israeli atrocities. The world is waiting for another American veto as Palestine makes a bid for statehood at the United Nations. If America uses this veto power this time around, it will prove to the rest of the world that America has not learnt any lesson at all from the events of the last two decades. It will also depict America as a nation not truly interested in world peace. The word 'justice' is gradually disappearing from America's official vocabulary. Yet we know that the average American citizen is eager to promote the sterling qualities of justice, liberty and equality. The question is 'Where do we draw the line between American official tyranny and the tender-heartedness of its ordinary citizens?' Meanwhile we await America's next dictatorial action next week: the vetoeing of Palestine's bid for statehood.   Is-haq Akintola (Ph.D), Associate Professor of Islamic Studies, Lagos State University, P.O. Box 10211, LASU Post Office, HO 102 101, Ojo, Lagos, Nigeria. Tel. 234-803-346-4974   I remain oppressed untill the hungry are fed, the naked clothed, the sick healed and the homeless sheltered