Ambassador Richardson Urges Support for United Nations, Sanctions

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Bill Richardson urged audience members at the John F. Kennedy School on Friday to support the U.N. in wake of the controversy in Iraq.

In his address to more than 400 people at the Institute of Politics' ARCO Forum, Richardson--who is the first Hispanic to serve in a foreign policy cabinet position--focused on "the need for the United States to finally pay our outstanding dues to [the United Nations.]"

"The United Nations [U.N.] and other international organizations are helping to guarantee international peace and stability," Richardson said. "But after the fighting has stopped, it is the U.N. that stays behind."

Though Richardson, who is also a member of the National Security Council, addressed the U.S.'s controversial placement of sanctions on Iraq, many students said his comments were no surprise.

"I don't know if it's any different from what I'd read in tomorrow's paper," said Marc Stad '01.

Richardson expressed his support of the sanctions during his speech on Friday.

"Since the Gulf War, United Nations' sanctions have helped guarantee that Saddam is unable to significantly rebuild his military arsenal," he said.

According to Richardson, the sanctions do not adversely affect Iraqi civilians, who rely on the U.N. for food and medicine.

"The international community has never sought to punish the Iraqi people for the sins of their leaders," he said. "That's why U.N. Security Council Resolutions against Iraq are clear in exempting food and medicine from any international sanctions."

But the crisis in Iraq is a result of the U.N.'s successes, he said.

"There can be little doubt in my view that the present crisis traces its roots to the fact that U.N. inspectors were on the verge of discovering further examples of Iraqi obstruction, delay and deception," he said.

Richardson reaffirmed the U.N.'s willingness to use force to contain Saddam.

"Let there be no doubt: The United States is strongly committed to finding a diplomatic solution to the crisis," Richardson said. "However, we refuse to rule out any option--including the use of military force."

Audience members challenged Richardson's beliefs during the question and answer session afterwards. They questioned the effectiveness of the use of force and Richardson's commitment to past projects, including aid to political prisoners and indigenous people.

Some attendants of Richardson's speech described him as dynamic and humorous.

"He has an extremely impressive presence," said Gautam Mukunda '01.

"[But] I think his answers with regards to the Iraq situation were less than complete," Mukunda added.

Edgar Saldivar '99 said Richardson added a unique view on diplomacy.

"The fact that he's Hispanic...shows the country's diversity," he said.