SCO and the UN
By Naveed Khan
Pleasanton , CA
The 10th Summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) being held in Kazakhstan this week has the promise of presenting the SCO as an alternative to the United Nations. There is no doubt that the world needs another forum to resolve its disputes in a fair and equitable manner. The United Nations is increasingly becoming a tool in the hands of Western powers to protect their interests without any regard to the wishes and aspirations of the people of the under- developed countries.
The UN has not been reformed since 1945. Five countries (PR China replacing Nationalist China) hold veto power and Western powers can easily pass a resolution leading to the invasion and destruction of a country. The SCO membership represents over a billion and a half people and if Pakistan, Iran and India are granted full membership it would come to represent 45% of the world's population. SCO leadership must speak out on conflicts in the Middle East, Africa and the unresolved dispute of Kashmir.
If the SCO starts taking a more principled stand on global conflicts, it would enhance its reputation as a more independent body ready to settle global disputes. The world needs a more balanced view of world affairs. As the United Nations continues to lose its impartial stature, maybe SCO is the one to lead the world to more honorable and equitable resolutions of disputes.
