United Nations

Why the UN does not like the US

By Dweep Chanana ⋅ November 30, 2005 ⋅  Email this post ⋅ Post a comment

The US embassy is right across the entrance to the UN compound. It is an imposing structure, with a massive concrete wall all around. Leading up to both is the ‘UN Avenue’, onto which all cars must turn from the main road.

As I turned onto UN Avenue in a UN car today, two small cars came onto the the main road, ignoring completely that we were in a massive Land Cruiser, and that they did not have right of way. The driver explained they were from the US embassy - as if that would explain the complete disregard for right of way.

Or maybe it did. He went further, to explain why the UN staff was unhappy at having the UN embassy so close. Rather than feel more secure at all the military there, they were now less secure. What’s more, when the US embassy received threats, as happened once, the entire UN avenue would crawl with marines and military personnel - bringing traffic to a crawl.

My friend pointed out that the UN did not like the US. This explains, in part, why. At least some here view it not as part of the solution, but as part of the problem.