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November 19, 2005U.N. journalist speaks at NMCSays Iraq war is eroding the standing of U.S.TRAVERSE CITY - United Nations journalist Ian Williams said it's surprising to many that the United States doesn't support the international body more than it does, considering how crucial the country has been to its formation."It's unexplained how it is that the country that founded it and funded it...is now seen as the Grinch," Williams, U.N. correspondent for The Nation magazine, told about 200 people at an International Affairs Forum at Northwestern Michigan College. He said the United States has gone against the U.N. on several issues, including a land mine treaty and changes to a nuclear test ban treaty. "Now, when the U.S. comes up with an initiative, the rest of the world wonders, 'What are they up to?'" he said. He also said there's "pretty much zero" support for the war in Iraq, though most members of the body would not like to see an immediate withdrawal. "All the time the U.S. is staying in Iraq is eroding its moral standing," he said, but added that they believe it would be "disastrous" to just "pull out." He also called this country's U.N. Ambassador John Bolton an "attack dog." "John Bolton is to diplomacy what Jack the Ripper is to surgery," he said. "He's spent 15 years saying the U.N. shouldn't exist. Now he's saying (U.N. forces) should attack Iran for breaking international law that we don't believe in. As a diplomat, he needs to be kept on a short leash." Williams said President George W. Bush's policies and opposition to much of what the United Nations stands for has harmed this country's reputation. Yet responding to a question from the audience, he said it wouldn't take long for the country to repair its image abroad. "People have short memories," he said. Williams has appeared on several television networks as an expert on the U.N. and is past president of the U.N. Correspondents Association.
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