TOPIC 8: THE UNITED NATIONS ORGANISATION

The UNO was officially formed on 24 October 1945 to replace the League of Nations which had failed to perform its duty of preserving peace in the world.

Unlike the League of Nations, the UNO was formed after a series of conferences as follows:

1. The Atlantic meeting (August 1941): Winston Churchill (Britain) and Franklin Roosevelt (USA) met in the Atlantic Ocean.

2. The Washington Declaration (January 1942): Representatives from 26 nations met in Washington and signed the charter. It was Roosevelt who suggested the name; United Nations.'

3. Moscow meeting (October 1943): Representatives of Russia, Britain, China and USA met in Russia where they agreed to set up an international organization to keep peace.

4. Dumbarton Oaks Conference (1944): Was held in USA where strong powers were given the responsibility of guarding peace.

5. Yalta conference (February 1945) Stalin, Churchill and Roosevelt met at Yalta in Russia where they agreed:
• That USA, France, Russia, Britain and China should be permanent members of the council.
• That a meeting to prepare rules should be held at San Francisco.

6. San Francisco meeting (April 1945)
• Fifty nations were represented.
• Rules were drawn and the UN charter was adopted and signed in June 1945.

AIMS OF THE UNO

  • To maintain international peace and security. o To develop friendly relations among nations.

  • To achieve international cooperation in solving problems of economic, social and political character

    • ORGANS OF THE UNO

    1. THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

    • Contains all members of the UNO.
    • Meets annually but emergency cases are discussed immediately.
    • Resolutions on political matters are discussed there.
    • Decisions need a simple majority but on important issues, 2/3 majority is required.

    FUNCTIONS

    • To elect judges.
    • To vote for the Secretary General.
    • To raise money for the UNO.
    • To supervise the works of other UNO bodies.

    2. THE SECURITY COUNCIL

    • Has five permanent members thus USA, France, Britain, China, Russia and six temporary members who were increased ten in 1965. The temporary members retire every 2 years.
    • The permanent members have the right to veto i.e. oppose an idea.
    • Voting requires 9 of the 15 members to vote in favour but this should include all the five permanent members.
    NB: In 1950, the Council passed the 'uniting for peace resolution.' This gives the council power to meet within 24 hours to pass decisions even if one of the permanent members vetoes the idea.

    3. THE SECRETARIAT

    • It does all administrative work of the UNO and executes UNO decisions.
    • It is also involved in drafting, translating and recording minutes.
    • It is headed by a Secretary General who is elected by the General Assembly for a period of five years,
    • The Secretary General acts if there is danger to peace mediation or arranging a cease-fire or arranging UNO forces in readiness for military sanctions.

    4. THE INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE

    • Has 15 judges who are elected from different nations.
    • They meet in Hague, Holland and carry out judicial decisions of the UNO.

    5.THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL

    • Contains 27 members elected by the General Assembly.
    • It is a coordinating body responsible for a number of commissions like UNICEF, FAO, WHO.

    7. TRUSTEESHIP COUNCIL:

    Replaced the League's Mandate Commission. It is no longer functional since all countries are now independent.

    SUCCESSES OF UNO

    1. KOREAN WAR (1950-53)

  • When the Japanese were defeated in 1945, Korea, which was once a Japanese colony was shared by Russia (North) and USA (South).

  • North Korea invaded South Korea which asked for assistance from UNO.

  • o The Security Council condemned North Korea and sent troops from 16 nationalities to chase the aggressor and they were successful.

    • 2. TE SUEZ CRISIS (1956)

  • This also showed the UNO at its best.

  • President Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt had nationalized the canal which had large shares from Britain and France.

  • Both countries sent troops to protect the canal.

  • The Security Council condemned the British and the French actions it was vetoed,

  • At the same time, Israel invaded Egypt to overthrow Nasser,

  • Later, the British and the French accepted to withdraw on condition that the UNO should provide a reasonable protection on the canal and that the Israelites and the Egyptians were pacified,

  • The UNO sent 5000 troops from 10 countries.

    • FAILURES

    1. HUNGARIAN RISING (1956)

    • Show the UNO at its most ineffective.
    • When people of Hungary began to declare the independence, the Russians went there to crush the revolts.
    • Hungary appealed to the UNO, which ordered the Russians to withdraw. This was however, vetoed.
    • The UNO, set up a committee to investigate the issue but Russia, refused to cooperate. Thereafter, the UNO, took no further action.

    2. THE BELGIAN - CONGO CIVIL WAR (1960 - 62)

    • The country, which is currently known as Democratic Republic of Cong, was plagued by chaos soon after independence in 1960.
    « A group of people, led by Moise Tshombe, wanted Katanga to be independent.
    • Prime minister, Patrice Lumumba, asked for UNO intervention.
    • About 20, 000 solders were sent and 500 personnel look after food, water and other social needs. This made the UNO run close to bankruptcy.
    • USSR, France and Belgium refused to pay their contributions because they disagreed with the action.
    • This war also cost Dag Hammarksjold's life that was killed in a plane crash in Zambia on the way from Belgium - Congo.

    3. CAUSES OF SOME UNO'S FAILURES

    • Lack of permanent ONO army - this becomes difficult when countries put their interest s first. If members countries do not provide troops, it becomes difficult to enforce decisions.

    • The UNO does not know when exactly to become involved - sometimes, it hangs too long and the problem becomes difficult to solve, sometimes, it hesitates so long that it does not become involved at all - eg in the Vietnam War. This made some members have faith in their regional organizations - eg NATO, Camp David (Egyptian - Israel War of 1979).

    It has been difficult to pass some resolutions as many countries vote on block and not on the merit of the case at hand.

  • Shortage of funds: Contributions depend on wealth and willingness to pay. Some refuse either because of lack of funds or disapproval of some UNO policies.