Last year, when I first suggested that António Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, should step down, many dismissed the idea as far-fetched. Now, however, as Guterres mingles with questionable actors at the BRICS Summit in Russia, the situation is no longer a laughing matter. At a time when Europe is embroiled in war, the very individual who should be championing peace seems to be aligning himself with an aggressor.

United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres 'enjoying his visit' in Kazan, Russia. He is there to attend the BRICS summit after being invited by Putin.

Let us remind you that the ICC has issued arrest warrants agains Putin and other high-ranking Russian officials such as… pic.twitter.com/ZSKe1nk0hA

— NOELREPORTS 🇪🇺 🇺🇦 (@NOELreports) October 23, 2024

 

A year ago, I argued that Guterres was unfit to lead an organization tasked with fostering global peace. Now, his attendance at the BRICS Summit, rubbing shoulders with the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, while cosying up to other controversial leaders, is deeply concerning. It almost appears as though Guterres is Putin’s willing accomplice. Observing Guterres consort with those accused of undermining international peace, I am left with a sense of cold dismay. It seems the Secretary-General has become a pawn for a leader who is subjugating Ukraine, a sovereign and democratic nation.

 

 

The BRICS gathering, held in Kazan, Russia, saw Putin’s closest allies alongside representatives from Iran, the Taliban, and nations like China and India—countries with strong economic ties to Russia. They met to indulge Putin’s grandiose claims about eradicating democracy and the so-called evils of liberalism. Guterres’ participation at such a summit undermines the very principles of the UN Charter, which calls for maintaining international peace, upholding international law, and promoting human rights.

 

Putin’s so-called "special military operation" in Ukraine has been widely condemned as illegal, yet Guterres’ actions suggest a willingness to engage with this regime. This raises serious concerns about his commitment to the rules-based international order and the importance of international law. Guterres’ absence from Ukraine’s first peace conference in Switzerland—while managing to travel to Russia—suggests a misalignment of priorities. He appears to support a regime led by an indicted war criminal, a stance that contradicts his role as Secretary-General. With Russia holding a permanent seat on the UN Security Council and the power to veto decisions, Guterres’ actions expose the urgent need for reform within the UN itself.

 

This seeming alliance between Guterres and Putin has left the world in a precarious position, one that China is poised to exploit. When the time comes to rebuild Ukraine and parts of the Middle East, it’s likely that British companies will be pushed aside in favor of those shaking hands and raising glasses with Putin in Kazan.

 

A year ago, I argued that Guterres should resign. Today, that call is more urgent than ever. The world needs a leader who is not beholden to Moscow, Beijing, or any other regime seeking to undermine international peace. Guterres’ continued tenure threatens the integrity of the UN, and he must step down to make way for someone who can truly serve the best interests of the world.

 

Hamish de Bretton-Gordon

 

Based on an article from the Daily Telegraph 2024-10-25

 

 

 

30 minutes ago, Social Media said:

A year ago, I argued that Guterres was unfit to lead an organization tasked with fostering global peace.

Global peace but only as long as it conforms to American domination.

 

IMO time is up for the west's domination of the world. The rest of the world has had enough of the west's wars and destruction and their support of israel in the M E. The rest of the world has had enough of America consuming more than many other countries put together, and trying to make them give up their dreams of a better life.

 

It may have eluded Hamish de Bretton-Gordon that Guterres is representing ALL the UN members, and not just the ones acceptable to him.

The ineffective United Nations is 'Job for the Boys ' outfit and should be re orginised  or dismantled. 

He is correct in that the UN is ineffective and needs reform badly.

 

But imo this says it about the OP, coming out of nowhere.

"When the time comes to rebuild Ukraine and parts of the Middle East, it’s likely that British companies will be pushed aside in favor of those shaking hands and raising glasses with Putin in Kazan."

Putin's new puppet: Time to resign!

 

 

 

 

The whole lot should resign.

 

Waste of space. 

Open up a "refugee" camp right next to the UN building in NYC.

europe is at war?  ukraine is not europe

17 minutes ago, john donson said:

europe is at war?  ukraine is not europe

 

I think you're confusing Europe with the European Union, Ukraine is indeed part of Europe.

Synopsis:

The US defacto uni-polar 'empire' of the "rules-based international order" (The US makes the rules and the world follows its orders) - The author considers to be Good
V.S
The nascent, emerging multi-polar world based on international law arbitrated with the framework of the United Nations, which is based on a charter recognizing mutual respect for the interests of all members nations - The author considers to be Bad

The former representing approximately 1 billion people whose countries have a history of colonial exploitation and whose leaders and corporate stakeholders care primarily for their own interests at the expense of their citizenry.
V.S.
The latter representing the other 7 billion people of the Eurasia and the Global South (the Global South historically being the object of colonial exploitation) from which they are now actively rejecting, and whose leaders are seeking to pull their populations out of poverty and into a middle-class existence where there are 7 billion active consumers of products made and traded within the BRICS economic union making it capable of running in isolation from the former.

The author?  A cheerleader for "old colonialism" and a uni-polar, "exceptional" hegemon.
UN Secretary-General Guterres?  The leader of the "United Nations," the majority of the world's sovereign nations, and as such the individual looking out for the interests of the majority which now falls within the sphere of interests of the ever growing economic community of BRICS-nations. 

The US is empire in decline; BRICS is a new-world order in ascent. 

The line it is drawn
The curse it is cast
The slow one now
Will later be fast
As the present now
Will later be past
The order is rapidly fadin'
And the first one now
Will later be last
For the times they are a-changin'
- Bob Dylan, The Times They Are A-Changin'

Just imagine the UN listening to nonsense. 

UN: Mr. Putin, we should open a dialog to solve this problem. 

Putin: no problem, let's meet and discuss. 

UN: we want to meet but cannot meet. Can we have a meeting where we don't have to meet?

7 hours ago, Social Media said:

A year ago, I argued that Guterres should resign. Today, that call is more urgent than ever. The world needs a leader who is not beholden to Moscow, Beijing, or any other regime seeking to undermine international peace.

From the authors POV, the world needs a leader who is beholden to Washington and its allies.  Although the author dances around without explicitly saying it, that's really what this is about.  The nascent BRICS is anathema to the old world order which is in decline and which, in turn, is isolating itself from the rest of the world as it lashes out at a new, economically competitive league of nations which threatens its historical global primacy.  And the BRICS will function within the framework of the United Nations, therefore the author stands aghast that the UN Secretary General actually embraces the interests of the global majority over the interests of the global minority which is rapidly losing power.

Yep - the times are a'changin', and nothing short of a nuclear war is going to stop it. 
The die is set, the stone is cast.  What you hear in the author's words is the wailing of those who are losing their grip on world dominance...and they are angry, and they have the weapons upon which their fragile economies are based, as historically empire rules and dies by the sword.  Underneath this Op-ed is the threat, "Change to UN Secretary General with one who is aligned with US interests or face the consequences."

 

Edited October 25, 20241 yr by connda

Another one of his new mates..........

 

Edited October 25, 20241 yr by Bkk Brian

35 minutes ago, connda said:

as historically empire rules and dies by the sword

 

Oh wonderful, so a new Dark Ages.

BRICS, a club for tyrants and authoritarians.

I heard BRICS will not consider issuing a fiat (paper) currency, but gold backed crypto. Is this a threat to the US Dollar?

The US should be moved to Turky 

7 hours ago, lordgrinz said:

 

I think you're confusing Europe with the European Union, Ukraine is indeed part of Europe.

Ukraine is also part of the world, and the world is not at war, at least not yet. 

7 hours ago, connda said:

Synopsis:

The US defacto uni-polar 'empire' of the "rules-based international order" (The US makes the rules and the world follows its orders) - The author considers to be Good
V.S
The nascent, emerging multi-polar world based on international law arbitrated with the framework of the United Nations, which is based on a charter recognizing mutual respect for the interests of all members nations - The author considers to be Bad

The former representing approximately 1 billion people whose countries have a history of colonial exploitation and whose leaders and corporate stakeholders care primarily for their own interests at the expense of their citizenry.
V.S.
The latter representing the other 7 billion people of the Eurasia and the Global South (the Global South historically being the object of colonial exploitation) from which they are now actively rejecting, and whose leaders are seeking to pull their populations out of poverty and into a middle-class existence where there are 7 billion active consumers of products made and traded within the BRICS economic union making it capable of running in isolation from the former.

The author?  A cheerleader for "old colonialism" and a uni-polar, "exceptional" hegemon.
UN Secretary-General Guterres?  The leader of the "United Nations," the majority of the world's sovereign nations, and as such the individual looking out for the interests of the majority which now falls within the sphere of interests of the ever growing economic community of BRICS-nations. 

The US is empire in decline; BRICS is a new-world order in ascent. 

The line it is drawn
The curse it is cast
The slow one now
Will later be fast
As the present now
Will later be past
The order is rapidly fadin'
And the first one now
Will later be last
For the times they are a-changin'
- Bob Dylan, The Times They Are A-Changin'

Several 'inaccuracies' in your post. 😁

 

There are not 7b people in BRICS+.

 

There is no BRICS economic union, not even a trade deal.

 

BRICS countries are not particularly known for respecting international laws backed by the U.N., and in particular Russia and China.

 

In addition, while it is obvious that a more multipolar world will emerge some day, I doubt it will be better. I doubt that being dominated by China, Russia or India will be better for smaller countries, than being dominated by the U.S.

I thought the job of the UN Secretary-General was to try to resolve conflicts between members by diplomacy i.e. talking to the leaders of the nations concerned. The OP suggests that he should only be talking to those leaders approved by NATO and the US.

 

While I agree that he may not be very good at his job, asking him to do it with one hand tied behind his back is a ludicrous proposal. You might as well disband the UN immediately.