by Stefano Vaccara
NEW YORK (UNITED STATES) (ITALPRESS) – UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres’ response to the decision of the Donald Trump administration to withdraw the United States from dozens of entities and mechanisms of the United Nations appeared measured and too prudent. A replica marked by institutional calm, read to journalists by spokesman Stéphane Dujarric, who avoided any direct confrontation on the political significance of a choice destined to strike the heart of the multilateral system.
In the January 8 briefing at the Palazzo di Vetro, the official position of the UN focused mainly on legal and financial aspects. The Secretary-General “deplores” the American decision and recalls that contributions to the regular budget and peacekeeping are “a legal obligation provided by the United Nations Charter”. At the same time, the UN ensures that all entities will continue to carry out their mandates “with determination”, regardless of Washington’s choices.
A formally unexceptionable answer, but politically weak. The decision of the United States does not only concern the financing of individual agencies, but calls into question the very idea of multilateral cooperation. By striking sectors such as climate, human rights, gender policies, migration and development, the Trump administration is not limited to reducing its commitment: openly delegates the role of the UN as a space for shared rules and common responsibilities.
During the briefing, numerous journalists’ questions tried to shift attention from the issue of funds to the political weight of American choice. What impact will it have on the credibility of the UN? What message sends the world a founding power that treats international institutions as a “à la carte” system? Dujarric’s responses were anchored to a prudent management line: “our work continues”, “we go ahead with calm and determination”.
It highlights the reaction to our question that perhaps the time has come for Guterres to speak directly to American public opinion. “If there is a necrology for multilateralism, you can write it yourself. António Guterres will not write it,” the spokesman cut short. A phrase that summarizes the approach of the Secretary General: avoid alarmist tones, do not dramatize, do not turn the crisis into an open political confrontation.
The risk, however, is that this calm is perceived as shyness and we know how Trump reacts to weakness, hitting even stronger. At a time when the multilateral order is openly questioned, a purely administrative defence of the UN no longer serves to save it. The game, more and more evident, is not only played in diplomatic palaces, but also – and perhaps especially – in public opinion, especially in the USA.
-Photo IPA Agency-
(ITALPRESS).
