Congress authorizes group to aid in strengthening the UN.

Opponents of the United Nations will be encouraged to know that, because of the rapidly sinking reputation of the world body, a high-level group has been formed to restore its "credibility and relevancy." At the behest of Congressman Frank Wolf (R-Va.), chairman of the House Commerce-Justice-State Appropriations Subcommittee, Congress has authorized a task force, to be organized by the U.S. Institute of Peace, to figure out ways to strengthen the United Nations.

The private Washington-based U.S. Institute of Peace is led by Board Chairman J. Robinson West, President Richard H. Solomon, and Congressional and Public Affairs Director Kay King--all of whom belong to the Council on Foreign Relations. The task force will itself he led by former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich and former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell, both of whom are also CFR members. As announced at a February 9 news conference, the effort will receive active support and participation from six public policy organizations including the American Enterprise Institute, the Brookings Institution, the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the Council on Foreign Relations, the Heritage Foundation, and the Hoover Institution.

Mitchell claimed at the conference that "the United States stands to benefit from a more effective United Nations." Ever a defender of the world body, Gingrich conveyed the notion that the UN's basic problems needing attention were only "scandals" regarding Darfur, oil-for-food, sexual atrocities committed by UN troops in Congo, and the membership on the UN's Human Rights Commission of Sudan where human rights simply do not exist. All involved want to see the organization "reformed" so that it "can realize more fully the purposes of its charter."

In an op-ed appearing in the February 9 Washington Times, Task Force on the United Nations co-chairs Gingrich and Mitchell wrote: "The goals enshrined in the U.N. Charter--particularly those regarding international peace and security, and the promotion of respect for fundamental human rights--have never been more significant.... There is an urgent need for an international organization that is credible and effective...." They added that they intend to produce "a realistic, actionable plan for U.S. actions to help strengthen the United Nations."

At the news conference, Gingrich and Mitchell made note of the upcoming 60th anniversary of the signing of the UN Charter in San Francisco on June 26. They hope to complete their report for Congress by that date.