Does buchanan want the U.S. to get out of the UN? (Letters to the Editor).

This pertains to one specific aspect of Don Anderson's May 20th "Letter To The Editor." It commented on Larry Greenley's article, "Can America Be Saved?" (which dealt with Pat Buchanan's book, The Death of the West). Mr. Anderson appears to have assumed, as I once did, and as many of your readers may assume, that Buchanan wants us out of the United Nations. This assumption is probably based on his stump speech rhetoric about the emerging new world order, a phrase then in political play. "When my right hand goes up to take the oath of office," he would say, "that whole thing will come crashing down."

I must report, however, that, Buchanan said he wanted to stay in the UN when he responded to a question at a presidential campaign rally at the Ramada Inn in 1996 in Montvale, N.J., near my former home. He said it was critical that we keep our seat on the UN Security Council. He explained something about the Soviet Union years earlier having suffered a foreign policy setback of some sort because it had not participated in the Security Council for a while. I confess that I do not know the history I believe he referred to. In retrospect, it appears Buchanan draws a distinction between the UN, as presently constituted, and the new world order, yet to be perfected under a UN substantially remade for global governance.

In addition to the revelation Buchanan offered, the event was memorable for me for a few personal reasons, so I am as confident as one can be about what I recall. I had arrived very early for the event, and as I stood at the lobby's far side, I was struck by the sympathetic scene of Pat, his wife, and his sister pushing through the front doors after a flight from D.C. to Newark on a rainy, cold evening. They were tired, wet, and confused about where to go, for no one came forward to greet them. In killing time, I had already discovered the yet unoccupied meeting room, so, wanting to help this poor troupe, I just beckoned them toward me. Pat strode over, willing to resort even to a stranger if that would help his weary group find their way (there did not appear to be any security people with them). When Buchanan came up to me we shook hands, and I told him how considerate it was for him to have come, considering that his mother had been buried the previous day. He thanked me and said he wanted to keep his comm itment. The three Buchanans then retired to a room to rest before the event.

I have only my witness to offer. However, you may have means to inquire of Buchanan, who remains a worthy man, about his true position on the UN. I would be pleased to learn that I am wrong and have exposed myself to a touch of embarrassment if I am proven so, if that is what it takes to get to the bottom of this.

LOUIS SETTE

Bedford, Virginia 

In his book The Death of the West, Pat Buchanan warns that "the foundation and first floor of a world government are already in place" and that "the UN is to be its parliament, with the Security Council its upper chamber ..., and the General Assembly its lower house. The International Criminal Court, the World Court, and the World Trade Organization would constitute its judicial branches. The IMF is its Federal Reserve." He says that "Americans should resist any surrender of sovereignty," but his proposals for "enlist[ing] in this battle" do not include getting out of the UN. He opposes "new funding to the IMF and World Bank" but does not call for U.S. withdrawal from those agencies. He also opposes "any expansion of NATO" without calling for US. withdrawal from NATO. In short, he wants to hold the line. Such a defensive policy will ultimately lead to "the death of the West." Victory cannot be achieved without embracing The John Birch Society's program to Get US out! of the United Nations. -- Ed.

Send your letters to: THE NEW AMERICAN, P0. Box 8040, Appleton, WI 54912. Or e-mail: [e-mail]. Due to volume received, not all letters can be answered. Letters may be edited for space and clarity.