>>What did the U.N. do about the ethnic cleansing in Kosovo?

>I am not talking about what has been done in the past, but about what should be done in the future.

The problem here is one of track record. WHY did the UN not go into Kosovo? Do we really believe that if Kosovo happened tomorrow, the UN would be in there asking for troops this time around. Rwanda anyone? Sierra Leone?. The reason that the organisation's past matters is that it provides guidance to us as to it's action or ability in the future.

>Specifically, international cooperation should be sought to solve the different problems of the World.

Agreed. But if the international community doesn't agree, should we sit on our hands?

>Just imagine that there was a difference of opinion between two of the states, in the United States. Would you agree that one of the states attack another one directly, or do you think the problem should be resolved on a higer level (through the federal government)? Personally, I find the second alternative preferable. Similarly, the problems of the World should be solved through a World Government, World Federation, or something similar.

Didn't I read a few threads ago your argument about not breaching sovereignty? There is certainly something appealing about federal democracy, but I suspect that nobody really believes that Saddam or his ilk will volunteer to join up. In which case, if you want a world government of any sort, you need to effect erm, "regime change" in Iraq.

There is much to be said in favour of the UN and they undoubtably do much good work around the world, both in terms of solid assistance and as a diplomatic forum. But it is under strain at this time and part of that strain is due to the divisions within the security council, itself an anachronistic body (anyone wanting to invent it in its present shape?). I wouldn't want to throw the baby of the UN out with the bathwater of the the current strife, but change is needed if we are to increase the relevance of the body to the geopolitical shape of today's world.