News
Thursday, April 07, 2011
Diplomat defends US role on UNHRC
WASHINGTON: The US ambassador to the United Nations on Wednesday defended America’s membership on the UN Human Rights Council despite its anti-Israel bias, arguing that the US presence could influence the organisation.
Susan Rice told a panel of US House of Representatives that in the past two years, the US has effectively pushed for Libya’s suspension from the 47-nation body, forced Iran to withdraw its candidacy and pressed the council to deal with human rights emergencies in the Ivory Coast. Rice said that while the organisation has its flaws, it would be a mistake for the US to remain on the sidelines. “I’d rather be in there and call foul,” Rice said. Rice said that would be a mistake and stressed that the UN addresses US national security interests. Rice said that the US would continue to work to end the anti-Israel bias in the council. The council has come under renewed scrutiny after the author of the Goldstone Report, which is critical of Israel, backtracked on his claims that the Jewish state had intentionally targeted civilians and was guilty of war crimes. ap
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk