UN personnel are "totally immune" from prosecution for any crime, free to "siphon (US grants) all into Swiss Banks" or spend them "renovating a guesthouse."
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6/23/15, "Rogers Introduces Legislation to Get US Out of United Nations," Alabama Reporter, Brandon Moseley
"Congressman Mike Rogers (R-Saks) [since Jan. 2003] has sponsored the American Sovereignty Restoration Act, HR1205, which would end American involvement in the United Nations.
US Representative Rogers said in a statement, “Across East Alabama, many of you may agree with me that the United States’ participation with the United Nations should end immediately. The UN continues to prove it’s an inefficient bureaucracy and a complete waste of American tax dollars.”
Rep. Rogers continued, “Although the United States makes up almost a quarter of the UN’s annual budget, the UN has attempted a number of actions that attack our rights as US citizens. To name a few, these initiatives include actions like, the Law of the Sea Treaty, which would subject our country to internationally-based environmental mandates, costing American businesses more money, or the UN’s work to re-establish an international regulation regime on global warming which would heavily target our fossil fuels.”
Representative Rogers wrote in his statement, “The UN has also offered a potential Arms Trade Treaty which would threaten our Second Amendment rights and impose regulations on our gun manufacturers, who are already facing regulations and pressure from the Obama Administration."
Rep. Rogers wrote, “Lastly, the UN does not support Israel and voted to grant the Palestinian Authority 'non-member state' permanent observer status. Anyone who is not a friend to our ally Israel, is not a friend to the United States. Because of these actions among others, I introduced HR1205, the American Sovereignty Restoration Act of 2015. My legislation would end our country’s participation in the UN and any organizations affiliated with them.”
Congressman Rogers explained, “Why should the American taxpayer bankroll an international organization that works against America’s interests around the world? The time is now to restore and protect American sovereignty and get out of the United Nations.”
The legislation has been co-sponsored by: Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Kentucky), Rep. John J. Duncan (R-Tennessee), Rep. Lynn A. Westmoreland (R-Georgia), and Rep. Tim Huelskamp (R-Kansas).
The Rogers bill ends membership of the United States in the United Nations.
Specifically, HR1205:
Ends the “American Sovereignty Restoration Act of 2015.”
Would repeal the United Nations Participation Act of 1945.
Order the President to, “Terminate all membership by the United States in the United Nations, and in any organ, specialized agency, commission, or other formally affiliated body of the United Nations.”
Close the United States Mission to the United Nations.
Repeal the United Nations Headquarters Agreement Act.
Bar the use of any US funds for any specialized agency, commission or other formally affiliated body of the United Nations, except for what is needed to facilitate termination of United States membership and withdrawal of United States personnel and equipment.
Terminate the use of US funds for any United States contribution to any United Nations military or peacekeeping operation or force.
Bar members of the Armed Forces of the United States from serving under the command of the United Nations.
Would order the withdrawal of United Nations presence in facilities of the government of the United States and repeal their diplomatic immunity.
Repeal United States membership and participation in the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Repeal the United Nations Environment Program Participation Act of 1973.
Repeal of United States participation in the World Health Organization.
Repeal American involvement in any conventions and agreements with the United Nations and any organ, specialized agency, commission, or other formally affiliated body of the United Nations.
Any remaining functions of such conventions and agreements would not be carried out; but would not affect the rights of employees of the US government from being rehired with United States Government after service with an international organization.
The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs."
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2009 USA Today article on UN immunity and lack of accountability:
UN personnel are "totally immune" from prosecution for any crime, free to "siphon (US grants) all off into Swiss Banks" or spend them "renovating a guesthouse:"
4/16/2009, “Report: U.N. spent U.S. funds on shoddy projects,” USA Today, Ken Dilanian
Do UN “agencies have immunity if they siphon (their U.S. grants) all off into Swiss banks? Is that accurate? They will be totally immune, no matter what they do with the money?” “My understanding is, yes,” Gambatesa replied.” (4th parag. from end)
…"The Afghanistan country director for the U.N. Office for Project Services (UNOPS), which served as the contractor on the project for the U.N. Development Program (UNDP) spent about $200,000 in U.S. money to
renovate his guesthouse. Witness names were withheld by USAID.” (parag. 7)
“Federal prosecutors in New York City were forced to drop criminal and civil cases because the U.N. officials have immunity.” (parag. 4)
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Terrorist groups control large areas of UN member countries. UN has no central authority. Sec-Gen. has authority over some but not all. World refugees and humanitarian crises have soared:
12/5/2014, "5 problems facing UN as it nears 70th anniversary," AP, United Nations
"The world has changed dramatically since the United Nations was established after World War II, but the organization has not adapted to reflect the 21st century.
While the U.N. has had its share of successes, its aging structure has struggled with new threats like Ebola and terrorist groups that control large areas of its member countries. U.N. members have been discussing change for decades, but agreement has proven impossible because of competing interests.
As it approaches its 70th anniversary next year, here are five problems facing the United Nations:
Outdated structure
The same five countries — the victors of World War II — have been the power players since 1945: the United States, Russia, China, Britain and France. They are the only permanent members of the powerful, 15-seat Security Council. Each has veto power, which has led to near-paralysis at the council on some major crises like Syria and Ukraine.Critics say the council simply doesn’t represent the world today. At its inception, the U.N. had 51 member states. It now has 193, many of them clamoring for more clout. All countries are represented in the General Assembly, but that body can only pass nonbinding resolutions.
Often mentioned as countries deserving of permanent Security Council seats are Germany, Japan, India, South Africa, Nigeria and Brazil. But there are no signs the big five intend to give up any power or share it with more countries.
Unwieldy organization
The U.N. has become a sprawling system with 15 autonomous agencies, 11 semi-autonomous funds and programs, and numerous other bodies. There is no central entity to oversee them all. The secretary-general, currently Ban Ki-moon, can try to coordinate their actions but he has no authority over many of them.The cumbersome structure was recently blamed for the World Health Organization’s delay in recognizing the Ebola epidemic. The WHO’s country directors in Africa report to the Africa regional director, not WHO headquarters in Geneva. And the WHO’s director in Geneva does not report to the secretary-general in New York.
Increasing demands
The U.N. is almost constantly asking its member states to contribute troops for its far-flung peacekeeping missions, currently numbering 16. The number of peacekeepers has risen to a record 130,000 — compared to 11,000 at the end of the Cold War — but the system is under severe strain. More than 100 peacekeepers have died this year and dozens have been taken captive.The world’s refugee population has soared amid a growing list of humanitarian crises. The U.N. refugee agency is trying to help over 51 million people forced from their homes and displaced inside or outside their country, the highest figure since the U.N. began collecting those data in the early 1950s. The U.N. humanitarian office is tackling a record of four top-level emergencies — in Africa and the Mideast — as well as Ebola.
Unreliable funding
Raising money is a constant problem with so many crises vying for the world’s attention. Many U.N. agencies and humanitarian operations are funded by voluntary contributions, and appeals aren’t getting enough donations. On Monday, the World Food Program suspended a food voucher program serving more than 1.7 million Syrian refugees after many donors failed to meet their commitments.All 193 member states contribute to the U.N.’s regular budget and a separate peacekeeping budget, but some countries are chronically behind on their payments. In early November, members owed about $3.5 billion for regular operations and peacekeeping.
Political horse-trading
There is widespread behind-the-scenes jockeying for top jobs in the U.N. Secretariat and U.N. agencies, not to mention seats on key bodies like the Human Rights Council and the Security Council. Every country belongs to a regional group that lobbies to ensure it is well represented. There is often criticism that those who get the seats are not the best qualified, such as dictatorships elected to the rights council.".................................
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