I was stunned when I read David Frum and Richard Perle’s column, “U.N. conceptions hamper U.S. action” (BDN, Jan. 27), in which they suggested the United States should quit the United Nations. They stated, in part, “The United Nations is irrelevant to the terrorist threat … it is an obstacle to our winning the war on terrorism. … If it cannot be reformed … the U.S. should withdraw.” A little spacey, wouldn’t you say?

The U.S. initiated the creation of the U.N. and was instrumental in writing most of its “concepts” in 1944. Those concepts are the basis of the U.N. Charter today. If the U.N. had enforced all articles of the charter and Security Council resolutions the U.S. probably would be much better off today. We would not have to endure the terrible loss of life, huge deficits, the Patriot Act and disruption of our lifestyle.

Reforms that the U.N. should consider now are: Nullify all veto rights, ensure that all Security Council resolutions are vigorously enforced, have great-er authority to settle border disputes if requested by one party or by fiat if the border was established by the U.N.

Further, nations that refuse to comply with any resolution should lose their membership. It seems certain that if the U.N. is unable to enforce its resolutions then more terrorism will occur. Any nation should understand that if it develops atomic weapons in violation of U.N. strictures it could expect terrorists to try the same. Nonsupport of the U.N. by leaders of this country could doom the American people to greater tragedies down the road.

We do not want to abandon the U.N.; we want to strengthen its authority and work for a safer, more carefree lifestyle for ourselves, our children and others around the world. The U.N. cannot be expected to maintain peace in this world without the means to do so.

Paul Hanson

Argyle