Recently in UN Category

Iran continues it's quest for nuclear weaponry:

TEHRAN, Iran - Iran has expanded its controversial nuclear work by starting a second cascade of centrifuges to enrich uranium, a semiofficial news agency reported Wednesday.

The news came as world powers moved toward introducing a draft resolution in the U.N. Security Council that would impose limited sanctions on Iran because of its refusal to cease enrichment — a process that can produce material for nuclear power reactors or weapons.

The Iranian Students News Agency quoted an anonymous official Wednesday as saying that Iran had started a second cascade of centrifuges two weeks ago and that "gas will be injected into the cascade during the current week."

"We will exploit the new product from the injection," ISNA quoted the official as saying, meaning that Iran would use the enriched uranium obtained by inserting gas into the centrifuges.

Will we soon be seeing more creepy celebrating as before?

Via AP/Yahoo:

UNITED NATIONS - The U.N. Security Council voted unanimously on Saturday to impose punishing sanctions on North Korea for its claimed nuclear test, declaring that its action posed "a clear threat to international peace and security."

North Korea immediately rejected the resolution, and its U.N. ambassador walked out of the council chamber after accusing its members of a "gangster-like" action which neglects the nuclear threat posed by the United States. Ambassador Pak Gil Yon said North Korea wants talks but warned that it will consider increased U.S. pressure a declaration of war.

Captain Ed has more.

Update: Allahpundit has video!

Via AP/Yahoo:

BEIRUT, Lebanon - The United Nations has decided to remove unarmed observers from their posts along the Israeli-Lebanese border, moving them in with the peacekeeping force in the area, a spokesman said Friday. The decision came three days after one of the posts of the observer force, known as UNTSO, was destroyed by an Israeli airstrike earlier this week, killing four.

Unfortunately, this means Hezbollah will increase reliance on women and children as shields of choice.

Nice to see some balance for a change. Jan Egeland, the UN guy who was excoriating Israel for "disproportionate response" and violating some fictitional "international humanitarian law" has added a new tune to his repertoire - and it's a very unfamiliar one for most UN staff:

On Monday, he had strong words for Hezbollah, which crossed into Israel, captured two soldiers and killed eight others on July 12, triggering fierce fighting.

"Consistently, from the Hezbollah heartland, my message was that Hezbollah must stop this cowardly blending ... among women and children," he said. "I heard they were proud because they lost very few fighters and that it was the civilians bearing the brunt of this. I don't think anyone should be proud of having many more children and women dead than armed men."

But they are proud. Just as they are proud of targeting civilian areas in Israel with their missiles. Nonetheless, if this keeps up, Mr. Egeland might just get it right. Shame it probably won't be contagious.

Via AP/Yahoo:

Apparently Hezbollah needs more videographers:

UNITED NATIONS - Secretary-General Kofi Annan said Monday he wants the upcoming meeting of key Mideast players to agree on a package to stop the Israeli-Hezbollah fighting and ensure lasting peace between Israel and Lebanon.

That package should include a cease-fire, deployment of an international force and the release of two Israeli soldiers abducted by Hezbollah, he said.

Considering past history, not necessarily a move that any party should welcome.

Annan: "We're coming for your daughters, too"

Britain and France have introduced a resolution to the UN Security Council:

UNITED NATIONS - Britain and France introduced a U.N. Security Council resolution Wednesday demanding that Iran abandon its uranium enrichment program, possibly setting the stage for sanctions if Tehran does not comply.

Several ambassadors said they hoped the resolution, backed by the United States, will be adopted before a meeting of foreign ministers in New York next Monday. Yet other diplomats questioned whether negotiations could wrap up that quickly.

The draft could lead to a showdown with Russia, which has arms and technology deals with Iran, as well as China. Both nations have said they adamantly oppose tough council action, and the two could use their veto-power on the council to spike it.

And of course, as we know from experience, the "UN Security Council" phase is the most productive...

At least it is when compared to the "useless investigation" and "refusal to act" phases.

The oil-for-food scandal is really getting to Kofi Annan as he vapor locks at a year-end news conference:

The usually unruffled U.N. chief castigated what he called unfair media coverage of his role and that of his son's in the now-defunct U.N. oil-for-food humanitarian program in Iraq.

He scolded James Bone of the Times of London for saying, "Your own version of events don't really make sense."

Annan responded: "I think you're being very cheeky. Listen James Bone, you've been behaving like an overgrown schoolboy in this room for many, many months and years. You are an embarrassment to your colleagues and to your profession. Please stop misbehaving and please let's move on to a serious subject."

Funny, most of us think the media didn't cover it enough.