US Blocking Criticism at UN

Officials Fear Debate Provides Platform for Policy Foes

UNITED NATIONS, April 30 -- The Bush administration has stepped up efforts at the United Nations to stifle criticism of U.S. policies in Iraq, Afghanistan and other foreign countries, according to confidential U.S. diplomatic communications and senior U.N. diplomats.

At the height of the conflict in Iraq, the administration successfully blocked debate in the U.N. General Assembly on an Arab-sponsored resolution criticizing the war. Earlier this month, it sought to restrict discussion of human rights violations in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is currently trying to derail an initiative by the president of the General Assembly to establish a forum to openly debate current foreign policy issues.

The administration's effort reflects concern among some U.S. officials that the United Nations may emerge as a major platform for dissent against U.S. foreign policy at a time when the United States is expanding its global military reach to prosecute a war on terrorism. The administration's campaign has included public rebukes of senior U.N. officials, including Secretary General Kofi Annan, who criticize American policies.

U.S. officials say there is no orchestrated campaign to censor debate at the United Nations. They say they are simply vigorously defending U.S. policy and seeking to head off attempts by U.N. officials who, they say, have abused their offices to pursue an anti-American line at the United Nations.

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washingtonpost.com

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