Political Crossfire Forums

[Zapper]

my next door neighbor is a right winged conservative, who told me that UNICEF was involved in the funding of a military assault on a small African nation?? Is this true? It's sound extremely idiotic since UNICEF is unable to fund such activities legally. How can this be? I tried looking it up on-line, but I've been unable to find anything

Please post if you know anything about this subject??

[Zapper]

Here's an article that I found containing arguments of both sides


On Halloween, children across North America will collect millions dollars UNICEF. That money, turn, will diverse deeds around developing world, everything feeding malnourished infants teaching free enterprise kills children inspiring teens Middle East become suicide bombers.
UNICEF, like little tykes collect pennies each Halloween, growing up. Once an apolitical do-gooder shied away controversy, UNICEF has matured become canny propagandist on hot-button issues. Parents who embrace UNICEF's political agenda can send their kids door-to-door Halloween little ambassadors causes hold dear.

One such cause might proselytizing evils globalization. Earlier month saw release London "Child Poverty Developing World," UNICEF-sponsored report found over one billion children suffer severe deprivation. cause suffering poor countries, press discovered upon study's release: Too much trust profits privatization too little foreign aid public services. headline Independent, London daily neglected ask press conference participants why only undemocratic countries without free markets remain poor: "Global Trade Keeps Billion Children Poverty, Says UNICEF."

Another cause, which reflects UNICEF's coming age full-fledged UN agency, anti-Americanism. 1999, with Iraq under economic sanctions, UNICEF released report attributing one million Iraqi deaths embargo. report, which would often cited journalists activists, fanned anti-American sentiment around world. Yet UNICEF report was, fact, co-authored with Iraqi government's health ministry, stated on its own front cover, relied on Iraqi government statistics. One sign UNICEF's allegiance Saddam's cause: A map on first page first chapter portrays Kuwa part Iraq.

The Mother-of-All-Kids' causes, however, must UNICEF's summer camps suicide bombers. UNICEF supports more than 200 camps Palestinian kids, most them administered Palestinian Authority bodies – such Ministry Youth Education – are responsible indoctrinating Palestinian youth into culture martyrdom. town Kalkilya, one UNICEF-funded camp named after Wafa Idris, first female suicide bomber heroine Palestinian children. Jerusalem suicide killed one person wounded more than 150. Nablus, another UNICEF-funded summer camp, Shahids Chattin, honours suicide bombers other martyrs. As reported Palestinian press translated organizations such Palestinian Media Watch, these one two-week camps have martyrdom themes: Campers vis families suicide bombers, hear lectures sing songs glorify suicide bombers, participate discussions about bombers. UNICEF's generosity making camps possible typically acknowledged camps' closing ceremonies reported Palestinian press. Four-colour camp posters, coupling UNICEF with messages militarism, are commonplace.

By rights, UNICEF should have large role play Palestinian territories. world expects UNICEF protect innocent children manipulation those who hold power over them. other countries, UNICEF fights courageously against local prejudices that, example, perpetuates female circumcision enlists child soldiers. Palestinian territories – only society world dresses its toddlers suicide bombers, glories deaths its children formally begins indoctrination its children kindergarten – UNICEF feeds local prejudice facilitates greater victimization children.

Some parents doubtless agree with UNICEF's programs knowingly have their children go trick treating on UNICEF's behalf. Others might object conscripting their children hateful acts, but rationalize UNICEF does much good work along with bad. Others, however, might like free enterprise, might like Americans might want leave funding summer camps suicide bombers Hamas.

Lawrence Solomon executive director Urban Renaissance Institute, division Energy Probe Research Foundation. www.Urban-Renaissance.org. E-mail: LawrenceSolomon@nextcity.com.


UNICEF's response article:
National Post, October 31, 2003

Letter Editor:

It's difficult know where begin respond inaccuracies misrepresentations article "UNICEF's ghoulish tricks" (Oct. 30, 2003).

Mr. Solomon's excessive intemperate rhetoric – one point article accusing us "hateful acts" – shameful. I am surprised disappointed National Post party reproducing such blatantly false information.

Just some examples where column gets wrong:


We are labelled anti-American. claim nothing short absurd. Last year American congress government voluntarily provided nearly US$250 million support UNICEF's work. The level US government support has increased under leadership President Bush, vocal supporter work. UNICEF's present international executive director American, predecessor.

A recent report sponsored about levels poverty developing world portrayed being anti-globalization, among other things. Wrong again. report says nothing about global trade being responsible child poverty. Rather, concludes greater public investment basic social infrastructure needed, especially water, sanitation, health education. purpose report simply identify highlight extent extreme deprivation among children call more global action address it. We invite your readers view report themselves www.unicef.org make up their own minds.

But most outrageous set accusations – fund summer camps Palestinian suicide bombers – not just baseless, but reckless. Anyone who has visited work nearly 160 countries territories around world understands have always deplored use children weapons war. UNICEF has consistently called on sides Middle East spare children horrors violence conflict, programmes focus on conflict resolution peace. Far "feeding local prejudice" Palestinian region, UNICEF has ceaselessly advocated protection children non-involvement children violence. UNICEF supports summer camps keep children away conflict zones promotes child-friendly principles. UNICEF sends unannounced monitors camps ensure are free violence hatred are places where children learn peaceful habits are safe ongoing conflict.

Finally, free enterprise, UNICEF it. UNICEF's work relies on contributions individuals, foundations businesses, hundreds private businesses worldwide support work create world f children.
Your readers may interested some factual information about UNICEF:


Today UNICEF working 158 countries territories world – on ground with children who need food, clean water, medicine, education, protection harm humanitarian emergencies.

As non-political agency, have support virtually every government world millions individuals, large small corporations, community groups service clubs dozens countries. All contributions UNICEF are voluntary.

Since 1946 UNICEF has saved lives millions children. We are one world's largest purchasers vaccines, providing millions doses each year developing world. Polio almost eradicated, nearly 80 per cent world's children are immunized. We're helping provide care AIDS orphans Africa. We're training teachers girls boys returning school Afghanistan Iraq. We're working with former child soldiers Sierra Leone so can return their childhoods. short, UNICEF working create better world millions more children who continue live under shadow hunger, disease exploitation.
In Canada, draw support millions Canadians through Halloween box collection, card sales, fundraising events donations. Canadians ages support work because want make positive difference lives children less fortunate than themselves.

The article an unworthy distortion both mission work. an insult thousands dedicated volunteers staff here around world whose efforts are diminished ridiculed. undermines millions Canadian children who, through their Trick-or-Treat UNICEF collections, are helping kids around world.

David Agnew
President CEO, UNICEF Canada

[B5C]

After the "Oil for Food" scandel. You should never trust your money with the UN. Maybe your pennies went to Kofi's son.