Dependence on Great Power Unity

The United Nations (UN), as an agency for peace, was born in the throes of a great conflict which had brought untold sorrow and destruction to millions all over the world. Under Chapter VII of the Charter, enforcement action may be taken against any State, whether a Member or not, which has been found guilty of an act of aggression or breach of the peace.  While it was recognized under international law, that it would not ordinarily be possible to provide rules on non-members, it was felt that in the interest of peace, the performance of the members should not be hindered by obligations assumed to non-members.  The Charter thus assumes the character of basic law of the international community, and non-member States are expected to recognize it as one of the facts of international life and adapt themselves to it.

The maintenance of international peace and security is the most important and paramount objective of the United Nations.  The Charter places reliance first of all on the parties themselves to settle their dispute by peaceful means of their own choice, such as by negotiation, mediation or enquiry.  If they fail in their efforts to settle the dispute, they are referred to the Security Council.  In no case is resort to threat or use of force permitted in the settlement of international disputes. The Security Council was intended to be capable of acting with swiftness and vigor in order to keep the peace.  It was given the authority to order Member States to undertake certain enforcement actions for the maintenance or restoration of peace in the form of complete or partial interruption of economic relations or embargo and other means of communications, or severance of diplomatic relations.  If these measures should be inadequate, the Council may take such action by air, sea or land forces as may be necessary to maintain or restore the peace.

Generally, the UN is an effective force in reducing violent confrontations either within or between States. However, the effectiveness of the Security Council’s role as principal peace-making organ is made to depend on Great Power Unity.  The requirement that decisions of the council on substantive matters must be concurred in by all the permanent members, places in the hands of any one of them the power to “veto” or block action by the Council.  Thus without the Great Power unity, the council becomes an impotent body.

The first occasion for collective UN military intervention on a massive scale arose in the Korean War of l950 when the North Korean forces invaded South Korea.  Determined that the armed attack was a breach of the peace, the Security Council on June 25, l950, called for immediate cessation of hostilities and the withdrawal of troops. It requested Members of the UN to render assistance in carrying out its resolution.  Responding to its appeal, several members sent troops to help repel the North Korean aggression.  These States made available their military units to a unified command under the US.  In here, it is the UN which determined the purpose of the action and was effective of its primary objective in punishing the law-breaker. The UN forces behaved in a manner consistent with the purposes and ideals of the Organization.                                                            

In the Iraqi war in March 2003, the Security Council for lack of sufficient ground, the alleged presence of biological weapons in Iraq, refused to support the war and occupation of the United States and United Kingdom. US-UK ignored the UN and operated with a free hand, without a mandate.  However, due to the strong Iraqi resistance and continuing criticism of the alleged illegal war and invasion, the two powers were forced to seek the assistance of the UN and other international partners. The Security Council later adopted Resolution 1483 to legitimize the invasion but assumed small responsibilities.

In this occasion, the UN failed in its role to maintain peace in the region, which in effect led to massive bombing of UN headquarters in Baghdad, killing several UN personnel.

The deaths and displacements of Iraqi civilians, plights of refugees and deteriorating conditions in Iraq are of humanitarian concern which only the UN can resolve. According to some critics, the role of the UN can only be substantial and politically workable if the US occupation in Iraq ends. “The UN role too closely aligned with Washington’s agenda will only discredit the organization (Laurenti, J. 2007).”  The author admonishes that without a complete US withdrawal from Iraq, the UN will likely be ineffective in resolving the crisis.

Clearly, the US-UK invasion in Iraq is an aggression, a breach of the peace without a sanction. The UN may not have a direct participation in the war; nevertheless, failure to appropriately enforce the Charter is more than of a direct involvement. A total disregard of the Organization itself!


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