Harper @ the UN

Yes, it was an excellent speech - pointing out that the Afghan mission is a UN responsibility; and that the UN can't back away from it. It also pointed out the changes that have occurred in Afghanistan - the return of millions of refugees, the millions of children, boys and girls, going to school; the fact that women are members of parliament - while under the Taliban women weren't allowed out in the street, much less schools and had no human rights. And, pointed out that it's the UN's most important mission.

He also mentioned other 'hot spots' such as Darfur, pointing out that Sudan wouldn't let the UN in.
And critiqued the UN -

Now, watch what the Liberals/NDP/Bloc will try to do to demolish it. When they reject the Afghan mission, Harper is making it clear that they reject the UN - and they are all big supporters of the UN.

It will be interesting to see how they will attempt to demolish his speech. It is getting tiresome, the endless, repetitive MSM attacks against Harper. Talk about bias.

From the same Harper speech:

"The United Nations was born from a combination of the essential needs of nations for stability and security and the higher ideals to which we all should aspire — freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law."
(...)
"Terrorism, he (Annan) said, “is a direct attack on the core values the United Nations stands for: the rule of law, the protection of civilians, mutual respect between people of different faiths and cultures, and peaceful resolution of conflict.”

If I understand well, Harper says we should all aspire to freedom, democracy and human rights, but also points that Annan and the UN do not. Is this right or am I reading too much between the lines?

The fact that this is true about the UN is irrelevant, right?

Joaquim, in Bathurst, NB

Liberal foreign affairs critic Keith Martin spoke to reporters shortly after Harper's speech. He said the prime minister failed to address three key areas of the mission despite the fact he "devoted an inordinate amount of time to that mission" in his speech.

Martin said Harper focused on the military aspect -- which he acknowledged is crucial to success -- but virtually ignored development efforts, the need to develop a plan to end the insurgency, and the training of Afghan security forces to eventually take over from foreign troops.

Martin also criticized Harper for failing to mention the spread of AIDS in Africa and the ongoing civil war in the Darfur region of Sudan, where Martin said international troops are desperatelty needed.

"We wanted the prime minister to stand up at the United Nations and have a ... cry of the heart, to call on the international community and the United Nations to get those boots on the ground so lives can be saved, civilians protected and aid can get through."

NDP Leader Jack Layton was also harshly critical of Harper's speech.

"According to government documents Canada is spending $141 dollars on combat for every man, woman and child in Afghanistan, and only $16 per person on aid and reconstruction," Layton said Thursday during question period in the House of Commons.

"Today we see the prime minister at the United Nations asking the world to help with reconstruction in Afghanistan even though we're spending eight, nine times more on war than we are on aid. Why doesn't the prime minister start to put some balance into his own approach?"

At last the media mention a key fact, of which I am sure 95% of Canadians are unaware since our media has not bothered to inform them of this trifling detail:

CBC:
http://www.cbc.ca/story/world/national/2006/09/21/harper-un.html

'"If we fail the Afghan people, we will be failing ourselves," Harper said in defending the UN-sanctioned, NATO-led mission, which includes more than 2,000 Canadian troops.'

CTV:
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060920/harper_UN_060921/20060921?hub=TopStories

'Currently, there are about 20,000 UN-sanctioned troops in Afghanistan, mostly taking part in peacekeeping and rebuilding in the north and west.'

More here:

"UN Security Council wants NATO ISAF strengthened"
http://toyoufromfailinghands.blogspot.com/2006/09/un-security-council-wants-nato-isaf.html

Mark
Ottawa

I thought the PM's speech was excellent and to the point. I'm proud to here a Canadian leader speaking with a clear stong message.

Gosh, it would be nice if the Liberals/NDP/Bloc would actually listen to or read the speech.

In response to Martin's claim that Harper said nothing about Darfur - that's a lie. As Harper said, with respect to Darfur as "a significant challenge'...is "a test of the principle that this body endorsed last year - the responsibility to protect".

And why should he refer to AIDS? Is it a requirement of any and all speeches to the UN? Since when? I don't think that Bush or Ahmadinejad referred to AIDS. Did the Liberals criticize them for this?

Harper also didn't refer to global warming. Oh gosh. And, he didn't refer to malaria, to illiteracy, to Sharia Law in Pakistan, and to a whole host of other world problems.

How about Layton's criticism that Canada is spending more on the military in Afghanistan than it is on aid. What a remarkably stupid comment. Possibly, quite possibly, it might cost MORE for a military action than building a school. But, Taliban Jack ignores that you can't build that school until and unless there are no terrorists around blowing it up because there are girls inside.

So far, the criticism is cheap and ignorant. My guess is because the speech is too good for them to deal with in any other manner. Of course, wouldn't it be unreal if they actually reacted to the speech for its values? But that would require reason.

I still can't get an answer to my question for taliban jack. Why would it be more noble for a cdn soldier to die in Darfu or Sudan than in Afganistan. Does he really believe there would be no casulties there. And, besides, those countries have told the UN and others to stay out.

Regarding Darfur, see this:

"Darfur update: AU force to stay; no UN force yet"
www.damianpenny.com/archived/007618.html

Mark
Ottawa

WOW, A wonderful speech by PM Harper.I really didnt see any notes.Did he actually have a 15 minute speech in french and english memorized? Amazing.And as ussual the Opposition had nothing but praise for his speech.Taliban Jack was his gleeful self saying we spend more money on fighting than building schools.DUH nuf said on the stupidity of that statement.Prime Minister Harper here is one Canadian who is proud of the way you represented Canada at the UN ..

I do wish he had taken a crack at iran. And Chavez for that matter.

That's my guy Steve!

Unfortunately this well spoken ode to honor and responsibility may have just as well been delivered to the inmates of Sing Sing or Leavenworth!

All the high minded ideals of the UN have , unfortunately, been subverted and perverted by the likes of the USSR(defunct but Putins Russia is no better), China, Cuba, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Korea ( both N & S ) Virtually every African State and all of the asswipe tinpot dictatorships around the rest of the world. Not to mention the self righteous Eurotrash hypocrites who never stand for anything.
And finally Kofi Annan and his host of bureaucrat thieves which include Maurice Strong among others from Canada.

Typical Liberal/NDP bashing of anything Stephen Harper says or does.

I'm surprised that Jack wasn't down in NYC, hugging Chavez today. He missed a great opportunity.

As for that disgusting greaseball Chavez, perhaps the real reason he noticed the smell of sulphur while he was giving his speech to the UN General Assembly, was that he hasn't changed his underwear for the last 6 weeks.

To me, the most impressive aspect of his speech was not the content, but rather the way in which he gave it.
He is a STATESMAN, folks! Finally Canada has a true leader.
I am impressed, and the more I see and hear from this guy, the more impressed I am.
No matter what your personal political bent is, you've got to admire him for that.

Its an absolute thrill to see a Canadian PM actually sticking up for REAL freedoms & not kissing Communist or Despotic butt. He told it like it is. Reality at last.

His speech if looked between the lines is more a lecture to the UN on its corruption with a failure to act in cases of real crisis. Or its own reform.

This guy is amazing . If only he gets a Majority I have real hope for this Country.

Note how the opposition is falling all over themselves to criticize the speech but are sounding ridiculous.

Their complaints that Harper 'didn't talk about AIDS, or an 'exit strategy' (big words with no meaning)...are empty and irrelevant.

The NDP insisting that the troops be withdrawn and sent to Darfur. Hey, wait. Darfur won't let our troops in!! Ahh, how neat. Why do the NDP want our troops out? Because of casualties? Yes. Well, that sets Canada up as a Military that Will Leave with the First Casualty.

That's a great help in a battle. The other countries end up defending the Canadians because they know that if there is even ONE casualty, the Canadian gov't will remove the troops.

And the Taliban have the best tactic in the world! Hit one, just one, Canadian - and there go 2,500 troops! Wow - who needs terrorist bombs when one casualty can get rid of 2,500 troops!

That's the NDP strategy. What stuns me is why they keep bringing up Darfur, knowing full well that NO troops, Canadian or UN, are permitted to go in. So?

The Bloc and Liberals are equally empty.

This guy is sure beginning to grow on me. I had lost sight of the fact there were politicians that actually cared and made some common sense. Unfortunately I still maintain that he is but a blip in Canadian political scene simply because of the numbers. Are there really enough sane people left in the east for his re-election, without giving up his principles? I hope so.

Bravo!!!!!!

I haven't sdeen the full text yet buit these two snippets are excellent:

"... Will the new Human Rights Council become a forum where human rights are genuinely put above political manoeuvring? Or will it emulate the fate of its failed predecessor organization? But I must tell you, the early signals suggest that too little has changed, that the page has not yet been turned. "

"... The taxpayers of member nations, Canadians among them, make significant financial contributions to this organization. They have the right to expect stronger, more independent oversight mechanisms, more robust
accountability for how funds are spent, and human resources practices that are based on merit."

Constructive criticism followed by threat. Love it. Classic. Go Go Gadget Harper!

We all know the UN is messed up - what is less well known is that the UN is ap roduct of its member states PERIOD. It has virtually no power of its own and relies on voluntary contributions from member states for its budget. It is a politically neutral body, which is, however, fraught with politics.

Harper and his ilk have a universal disdain for the UN for principally that reason - they feel that it should represent only their values at the expense of others and support their agenda similarily. Sometimes they coincide, sometimes not.

Harper knows almost nothing about the UN other than what his neo-con soulmates have told him over the years. Saying it needs reform is obvious - saying it when what you really mean it that you would prefer to see its demise is disingenuous.

Oh, and to that idiot OMMAG - some middle-aged angry guy who can't spell - do some reading (and not "reading" as in going to Newsmax, CFP or your favourite non-achiever armchair neo-con moutchpiece) and tone down the foaming at the mouth hysterical slander.

Wow the liberanos seem to be infecting us again. First bob spewing crap about dead soldiers now this watchingyou2 piece of trash. I know bob was banned by kate, why is he back? something tells me he got a new IP address.

Debris, I am sure Harper also failed to mention malaria in Africa, drought in somewhere, flooding in somewhere else and, let's not forget, that paper cut in the Antartic.

My god, so much evil in the world, and Harper doesn't address it all in one speech at the UN. What is the world coming to?

Right, I'm voting Liberal next time. I've had enough of vacilation :-)

Or is it I am missing vassilination?

OMMAG: Has there been a sighting of Maurice Strong recently? Last info had him hiding out in China,we can only hope he stays there.

Watched Mike Duffy Live this aft (I work at home) and Rutherford, the guest host, asked for responses on Harper's UN speech, in terms of delivery, etc. Craig Oliver said he didn't watch it but colleagues from ABC called him and described the speech as "a knockout". Gloria Galloway was also on and said US media types loved Harper when he visited Washington DC - these US contacts commented to her "who IS this guy? movie star looks . . .etc". You could tell it almost killed Galloway to say anything good about Harper. (The comment on "movie star looks" WAS a little over top, however!) The consensus of opinion was that Harper's demeanour and delivery of this speech was impressive.

What is amazing in the video of the speech by Harper is how dark it was at the UN today.

Were the TV lights out?

NWO

Contrast the CTV and CBC video to this...

http://www.un.org/webcast/ga/61/index.shtml

I encourage everyone to read the UN Charter, and then take a good long look at the member states. Around 60% are not Democracies and do not uphold the UN Charter. All the UN has done is legitimize dictators and terrorists.

(watchingyou2) Agreed, the U.N. is "ap roduct" of its member states, chockful (Webster's Tenth Edition) of idiot "moutchpieces" who can't spell.

Stephen Harper is the best P.M. Canada's had in my lifetime, "PERIOD".

Signed, "middle-aged angry guy" who thinks only a moron wouldn't want the U.N.'s "demise".

Great speech by Harper, by the way. I am so glad Canada now has an honorable leader that doesn't say one thing to allies and then do another, like your previous POS. Canadians should be proud today.

Dr Mahmoud Ahmadinejad addressed the UN body as "Your Excellencies"

Given the string of corruption with the "Oil for Food" nonsense and harking back to Rwanda and now Darfur, Prime Minster Stephen Harper did us all good service by giving the UN the appropriate tongue lashing they so richly deserve.

Given further fundamental failures we will be addressing the UN body as:

"Your Irrelevancies"

I listened to Harpers' speech on QR77.What a great speech! I am so proud to finally have an honest and tell it like it is Prime Minister in office. What a shame all those wasted years with the Lieberals in power. We can only hope those easterners have their eyes opened finally. We need a good strong majority government in power. Lets make it Conservative with Stephen Harper leading.

I wonder what Stephen Harper would have to say to "Mo"??
Remember Muarice Strong was supposed to be working toward cleaning up the UNs fiscal malfeasance.
He ended up getting tarnished with a lot of stuff himself. Maybe smeared by the crooks he was supposed to be leaning on...but maybe outed for things he did as well.

I would not be a bit surprised if he is hiding there to avoid prosecution under US law for his part in the "Oil for Food" scandal. I'm sure his ex business partner Tongsun Park has blabbed plenty about strongs involvement. I believe that he never did respond to US DoJ officials requests to partake in the investigation that nailed Park.

I thinks there is more dirt under the rock that hides Maurices deeper secrets.Maurice Strong has a strong base of business, personal and political connections in China.

Man of Mystery!

BTW - Mr. watchingyou - who do you think you are to be calling me an idiot? Spineless little snipes like you are just begging for attention and cheap thrills. You'd best just go suck your thumb!

At last the media mention a key fact, of which I am sure 95% of Canadians are unaware since our media has not bothered to inform them of this trifling detail:

CBC:
www.cbc.ca/story/world/national/2006/09/21/harper-un.html

'"If we fail the Afghan people, we will be failing ourselves," Harper said in defending the UN-sanctioned, NATO-led mission, which includes more than 2,000 Canadian troops.'

CTV:
www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060920/harper_UN_060921/20060921?hub=TopStories

'Currently, there are about 20,000 UN-sanctioned troops in Afghanistan, mostly taking part in peacekeeping and rebuilding in the north and west.'

More here:

"UN Security Council wants NATO ISAF strengthened"
toyoufromfailinghands.blogspot.com/2006/09/un-security-council-wants-nato-isaf.html

Mark
Ottawa

Over the past few days, we have witnessed two extremes of participants in the United Nations. Contrast Chavez's paranoid rant against George Bush and the USA, with Harper's excellent speach and you can see both the worst and the best of the world's contributions to the UN. And what a contrast it is.

Question is, why doesn't the UN have some standards of decorum and protocol, and boot the likes of Mr Chavez out the door for his abysmal, boorish behaviour?

FINALLY.. The United Nations can just consider itself TOLD !! Prime Minister harper made more sence there, today, in 15 minutes, than all the Liberal PMs of the last 4 friggin decades. And it was so easy for him. Just told it like it is.

PM Harper should have a weekly spot at the UN. For the next few years.

Debate, one on one, with;
Maurice Strong
Koffi Annan
Tongsun Park
All the Tin Pot Dicks
Jacques Chiraq
George Galloway
Iran's nut case
Hamas' nut case
Taliban Jack

Also, UN Hot Topics such as;
One World Governance
Earth Charter
Oil For Food
Kyoto

Prime Time would never be the same,... if the MSM would even carry it !!??

What is this feeling I have been having since April of this year? It is an odd feeling, it is a feeling of pride in being Canadian. We have not had a Prime Minister that was a true leader since Lester Pearson. I am proud to say that Canada is back on the map and, once again, a proud and noble place.

Thank you Mr. Harper!

Exactly right mind... A Leader we can be Proud of!

Someone should tell the snipes at CTV etal!

CBC spinning hard...Boag calls Harper's appearance a "speech to Canadians", trying to fix a "communications problem" about why we're fighting in Afghanistan, trying to convince a public opposed to the mission, etc. Then, after a very brief story with only a couple of short sound bites and a line about us fighting "Bush's war", they switch to a story about how the Taliban are gaining and are in control of half the country - they even had a map with red-colored Taliban-controlled territory spreading like blood, complete with gloomy horror-film music. And guess who the "Afghanistan Analyst" (and one source for the story) was? Yes, that unbiased source of reliable information himself, Eric Margolis! The CBC very badly wants us to think that we're losing, we shouldn't be there, and we're being lied to by Harper.

Can't wait until Harper drops the bomb: "Your next CBC chairman, Mark Steyn".

We can dream...

What a gasbag that Hugo Chavez is.
I hear he farted in New York City today, and caused an explosion in Philadelphia.

Just the fact that Chavez's boorishly ridiculous behavior was tolerated speaks volumes about what the UN has become, a 'show about nothing’

I just heard on CTV chavez criticizing President Bush because of his alcholism. What a nasty piece of work. Venezuelans must be very embarassed to have such a leader.

How would you grade PM Stephen Harper's performance on foreign policy issues to date?

http://live.canoe.ca/Words/News/YourSay/2006/09/07/1811018.html

Prime Minister Harper's speech was excellent today at the UN. I still can not believe what a difference it makes when you have a man that is a true leader. I feel the pride every time I watch the PM speak.
It is one of those pinch me things, and I never want to stop getting used to it either!
It is obvious over at Canoe News and their poll, check it out.

He really impressed an empty room. The whole world knows he's Bush's monkey.

"... Whether our neighbour's leader will be pleased with me could require a sloppy hummer. If so, I'll be there to give him one..."

Chavez was just as disrespectful and rude at the UN as some of our liberal politicians are here in Canada. I'm thinking of Chretien and Parrish for the anti american biggoted remarks they made. Finally, a PM who can rightfully be called Honourable. A real class act.

There were more in the room to listen to Harper than ever listened to chretain or martin. At least they could understand Harper, and were not distracted by waving hands and stupid grins. Last night several B-list liberals and democrats had dinner with Irans idiot, so they could talk and make him realize they wanted to be friends. They were shocked when he basically told them to go to hell, there was no mass murder of jews by Hitler. Taliban Jack should pay attention, you can't negotiate or talk to these people. Maybe with both sides being idiots they could negotiate.

I listened to the speech live, and finally I wasn't embarrassed by a Canadian PM addressing the den of thieves and liars call the UN. Since then I have read the weasel comments from all the opposition who are not the PM, and I think they all deserve a swift bitch slap. Canada is waking up.

Does anyone else wonder why, when our Prime Minister gives a speech at the UN, it isn't shown in its entirety? Why does, say, George Strombolopolous gets ten times as much air time? It's ridiculous.

Each night, CBC nationally broadcasts a one hour news show paid for by taxpayers, but instead of getting the speech -- which is real news -- we got butt-scratching "analysis", and spin from self-important reporters, and critiques from Jack Layton, and blah blah blah.

How did it get to this point where reporters stick a curtain in front of events, and then part it to step on stage to interpret what happened? Why even show hockey games, for that matter, why don't we just have Keith Boag critiquing the game after it's over...

It's ridiculous. We have the technology, and -- god knows -- the time to broadcast newsworthy events.

ok4ua
Sorry, you've got it backwards.
If Harper keeps this up,Bush'll be HIS monkey.

I always visit the CTV website only to cast my vote on their daily Samsung, er, question. My way to help keep it real.