Conservatives Try to Block US From Rejoining UN Agency

[Judi Lynn]

Conservatives Try to Block US From Rejoining UN Agency
Nathan C. Masters
Correspondent

(CNSNews.com) - Nearly 20 years after President Ronald Reagan withdrew U.S. membership from a key United Nations-sponsored agency - alleging too much anti-Americanism, mismanagement and corruption - conservatives are trying to stop the Bush administration from re-joining.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) was founded in 1946 with the United States as a charter member. The group's general conference is planned for Paris in September.

UNESCO's original slogan reflected its optimistic attitude: "Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must first be constructed." UNESCO describes its mission as building those defenses of peace "by promoting collaboration among nations through education, science, culture and communication."

Ideological disputes over the Cold War and other matters, however, led to Reagan's decision in 1984 to pull U.S. membership from UNESCO. Last year, President George W. Bush announced his administration's intention to re-join the organization, citing the positive reforms that had taken place at UNESCO during America's 18-year absence.

"As a symbol of our commitment to human dignity, the United States will return to UNESCO," Bush announced before the United Nations General Assembly last Sept. 12. "This organization has been reformed, and America will participate fully in its mission to advance human rights and tolerance and learning." (snip/...)

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[NYC]

1. Something doesn't sound right about this.

Why would Bush want to join UNESCO? There must be something he wants to control.

[MSchreader]

2. I'm working with someone on research into UNESCO

Let me talk to her about it, and I'll see what I can find. My first thought is that there are a lot of programs the Organization runs (e.g., the MOST program, the "Culture of Peace", etc.) that BushCorp would like to control.

Martin

[NYC]

3. Thanks.

.

[sandnsea]

5. It's gotta be control

Along with that story we read a few weeks ago about Bush and the Iraq NGO's and wanting them to be sure and push American assistance and ideology. This has to be trying to do the same thing with this organization, weasel their way in and try to influence/bully it with money.

[Aaron]

4. So he can look moderate?

I think he does things like this to please the base while trying to appeal to moderates. If the congress or aides can prevent rejoining, or he can discuss it but not do it, then they detach more from the UN which pleases the base. But discussing support for it in public might paint him as a more moderate person.