FOR MANY on the left, the idea of a United Nations force to administer the Malvinas seems like a good solution. After all, aren't the bluehelmeted United world keepers of the peace? Aren't they independent of the world's great powers?
Second World War the United Nations troops, albeit from different countries, ed in the interests of imperialism to preserve the existing revolution and other progressive movements which threaten it.
The first major use of •United Nations' WOODS was in Korea from 1953 to 1930. Al a ume or major international tensions, the sover unor was Dovcolting the UN Security Council - the dominan committee the UN which makes the decisions about where UN troops should be sent. Once hostilities broke out between North Korea, the United States got a resolution through Council send tro The troops were largely American, although contingents trom Britain and other Western countries. heir enemies were only the North Koreans. but also the Chinese People's Liberation Army.
Korea was far permion in one of 'peace keeping' Commanded by fanatic anti-communist General MacArthur the United States Air Force destroyed virtually every Nations troops around the Unfortunately, the answer is no. Since the have intervenorder against socialist building in the North Korean capital Pyongyang and devastated the countryside MacArthur wanted to use the nuclear weapons and to invade China. Korea the United Nations troops were the agents of revolution. Counterlargest UN military operațion since Korea has been in the Con— with Irish, Swedish, indian and. Ethiopian troops. When the Congo was granted independence 1960, the country started to break up - with the mineral-rich province of Katanga - which supplies 60 per cent of the world's cobalt, most of its radium, 10 per cent of its copper and a host of other precious commodities going tor secession and independence.
Katanga's President Thsombe was linked with Belgian imperialism. Bull the United States wanted a unified Congolese no privileged access will tor Huronean imperialism • Katanga's riches. The United Hoops fought not for 'peace' , or but for the ending of Katangese sculcosiuli.
Moreover, the United States worked actively for radical president Congo, Patrice Lumumba and his replacement by the pro-American Mobutu.
United Nations troops were unable to prevent the abduction and assassination of Lumumba he was flown off to meet his fate in a United Nations plane.
Elsewhere in the East, in Cyprus and on the India-Pakistan border the UN troops have acted as forces for maintaining the status auo between rival factions.
The United Nations has organisations, subdepartments, cultural and aid organisations, many located in Geneva. But its central political organisa General Assembly the Security Council and the full-time political secretariat are ocated in New York and depend on US financing. The Security Council makes the deciabout the deployment of troops. The imperialist powers have veto on any proposal.
The General Assembly of all nations can pass ICSOTULIONS despatch troops. Since the mid-1960s General Assembly has been more and more influenced by the non-aligned, neocolonial countries who pass many resolutions opposed to the interests of American These resolutions are just ignored if the! 2 calls! the interests of the United States and imperialism. The classic case s Namibia, allegedly a UN pro corne but control South Africa. Despite numerous resolutions the imperialists have not lifted a finger to end South African conFor the Soviet Union, the General Assembly is a useful forum to cement its allances with third world countries. The UN perma bureaucracy and structures facilitate the diplomatic manoeuvres of the Kremlin.
But the essential point remains: there can be • no action of United Nations troops outside and against interests perialism. Lenin described he UN's predecessor, th League of Nations as a "thieves' kitchen' . Nothing has changed. If the UN intervenes, it will be only because Thatcher and Reagan want them to.