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Kishida says it is time to return to principles of U.N. Charter

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"unshakable principles"? the fact of urging a "return" to them implies that they're defunct.... what nonsense.

ditto "the composition of its five permanent members does not reflect the realities of the current world."... it evidently does.... asking those with control to give up control isn't likely to bear fruit, my view.

4 ( +10 / -6 )

""Kishida sat beside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy who stressed that the composition of its five permanent members does not reflect the realities of the current world. He urged the council to increase its permanent representation of Africa and Asia, including by adding countries such as India and Japan.""

AMEN Mr. Zelenskyy,

The so called Permanent members are responsible for almost all Wars, Invasions, Attacks, Colonization, Assassinations and everything in between and yet they are sitting there acting as the guardians of the world.

7 ( +16 / -9 )

It's a shame we didn't get Lavrov in there to listen to his country being rightly ridiculed.

7 ( +19 / -12 )

ThubanToday  07:07 am JST

Kishida said the war in Ukraine must end immediately

An immediate end would be a ceasefire, leaving Russia in control of the historically Russian areas.

Russia is prepared to discuss the new line of control.

Yeah, the only problem with that is it is completely in contravention of the UN charter.

1 ( +13 / -12 )

There should be no permanent members in the Security Council. Period!

I agree. It's runs contrary to the very principles of democracy and is the reason why the UN can almost never get resolutions passed.

-3 ( +14 / -17 )

Democratic Nations must stand up to the bully Putin. His failure will be an example for others.

15 ( +26 / -11 )

An immediate end would be a ceasefire, leaving Russia in control of the historically Russian areas. 

Russia is prepared to discuss the new line of control. 

Unfortunately Zelensky is refusing to accept a negotiated peace.

By your deluded logic Germany should have back Alsace-Lorraine, and those areas of today's western Poland which once formed Prussia.

But guess what neither will happen as there have settled borders that don't need revision. Putin and his murdering goons need to get the hell out of Ukraine.

5 ( +18 / -13 )

Kishida said the war in Ukraine must end immediately and the international community should step up efforts to "work toward a world of cooperation, not division and confrontation."

Okay, that seems like a reasonable and commendable opinion. Not sure why this is news.

He urged the council to increase its permanent representation of Africa and Asia, including by adding countries such as India and Japan.

Aaaaand there it is, the ulterior motive. Well played Kishida lol

-6 ( +7 / -13 )

What's so readily glossed over, or actually never mentioned is the fact that it's NATO-led encroachments and the violent overthrow of the former democratically elected government of Ukraine that has instigated the entire mess. #44's regime-change agitations in Syria, Ukraine, and others fit neatly into the equation. #46 is bumblingly worse!

5 ( +12 / -7 )

Okay, that seems like a reasonable and commendable opinion. Not sure why this is news.

Cause who was saying America, Incorporated's wars in Iraq and Afghanistan should end immediately?

Russia actually has legitimate concerns in Donbas, Crimea and Ukraine, Georgia too, and we only get this "UN needs to clean-up" stuff now??

Did Kishida even mention the U.S. oligarchy's continued terrorism across the globe? No.

Its news because its a joke I guess. A person has to be blind or stupid to fail to see the ridiculousness of crying about Russia more while ignoring the U.S.

-3 ( +7 / -10 )

Kishida sat beside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy who stressed that the composition of its five permanent members does not reflect the realities of the current world. He urged the council to increase its permanent representation of Africa and Asia, including by adding countries such as India and Japan.

Pretty sneaky by Kish to try to use the Ukraine crisis to push for a Permanent UN Security Council Seat.

-7 ( +8 / -15 )

However as a non permanent member Kishida is a bit out of his depth to be lecturing the world how it should act.

Japan isn't exactly an advanced democracy domestically let alone internationally

Nonetheless change does need to be discussed

Right you are Randy.

Aaaaand there it is, the ulterior motive. Well played Kishida lol

Yup! You caught that too!

-9 ( +5 / -14 )

Wait for it......

He urged the council to increase its permanent representation of Africa and Asia, including by adding countries such as India and Japan

....and there it is.

Talk is cheap! Gasoline and sanctions are not! Now, how can we get those gas prices down? Sure would be nice if we were all on good terms again so we can get that Russian oil flowing again. After all, these Landcruisers don't drive themselves.

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

Kishida argued it is time to return to the "unshakable principles" of the existing world order and the U.N. Charter, created after World War II.

Except for any actions by the US, Saudi Arabia and most importantly Israel.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Whilst I want a permanent end and withdrawal of all Russian troops from the Ukraine, this would only boost the war monger Putin's appetite to do the same elsewhere. As for this Security Council, it should be expanded now or disbanded, as it has, in the past, proved completely toothless and without morals. Did they condemn the illegal invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan, and Vietnam. No. Have they condemned Israel's policy against the Palestinians...No. There are war criminals living in the USA, the UK and other EU countries, why are they not being prosecuted? Oh wait, the Security Council.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

opheliajadefeldtToday 12:11 pm JST

Did they condemn the illegal invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan, and Vietnam.

Afghan War was 100% legal: US was attacked from Afghan soil and the Taliban didn't take appropriate action. Vietnam was civil war despite attempts to frame it otherwise.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Mr KiplingToday 11:56 am JST

Kishida argued it is time to return to the "unshakable principles" of the existing world order and the U.N. Charter, created after World War II.

Except for any actions by the US, Saudi Arabia and most importantly Israel.

We're in 2023 now and your hero Russia is the currently biggest offender.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

EastmanToday 11:20 am JST

dear Kishida san-did you found a second to ask Volodymyr why Kiev does not want to negotiate about peace at all and still believes that can "win" in conflict while have zero chance to prevail?

No country has had the cojones to tell Zelenskyy he should surrender. You may think you would be the first but I suspect you would be disabused of that notion one way or another.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

However as a non permanent member Kishida is a bit out of his depth to be lecturing the world how it should act.

And Russia and China- both of whom are permanent member, can?

-7 ( +0 / -7 )

La vie douceToday 12:51 pm JST

"Did they condemn the illegal invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan, and Vietnam.

Afghan War was 100% legal: US was attacked from Afghan soil "

The 9/11 attackers were Saudis.

People keep bringing that up as if it is relevant. If British terrorists are in Syria, we don't go bomb Britain. Well maybe you think we do, but you are wrong.

Btw, you conveniently skipped over Iraq , what did Iraq do in 2003 to deserve being invaded?

Where are those WMD,s Saddam apparently had and was ready to use against the US "?

Someone lied to the CIA and unfortunately that was the only evidence used. It's completely irrelevant to Russia's war crimes, though, because no one contends that was a war for territory.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

Randy DaytonaToday 11:44 am JST

Kishida will lead the world anti-war movement but first needs to purchase more weapons and militarize Japanese islands

As would completely be his right as, wait for it..., Japanese PM. You could even be anti-war but have a massive arsenal and never use it. Japan doesn't even have the massive arsenal.

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

Keepyer InternetpointsToday 09:30 am JST

Okay, that seems like a reasonable and commendable opinion. Not sure why this is news.

Cause who was saying America, Incorporated's wars in Iraq and Afghanistan should end immediately?

They could have tried but they would have been laughed at heartily because 1) most of NATO was in Afghanistan with us 2) it was done after an attack from Afghanistan and 3) you would be pretty hypocritical to say "end the war now!" and then seconds later "but, but, but, why did you let the Taliban back?". I'll let you decide how well you fit #3.

Russia actually has legitimate concerns in Donbas, Crimea and Ukraine, Georgia too, and we only get this "UN needs to clean-up" stuff now??

Russia Russia Russia. These days we listen to Ukraine's security problems now. Russia is allegedly a powerful country.

Did Kishida even mention the U.S. oligarchy's continued terrorism across the globe? No.

Because that is nonsensical statement.

Its news because its a joke I guess. A person has to be blind or stupid to fail to see the ridiculousness of crying about Russia more while ignoring the U.S.

And then to mention the US over and over again and ignore Russia despite this war not even involving the US.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Article 1.2 of the UN Charter talks of "the self-determination of peoples". Would that include the people of Crimea, Donetsk and Luhansk? I assume so. Should the UN not be pushing for a ceasefire and then a supervised referendum in those areas? Perhaps difficult for the latter two regions as so many have left. But I think some attempt should be made to let the people of those regions determine their own future, whether as part of Ukraine, part of Russia, or as independent states.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

albaleoToday 02:49 pm JST

Article 1.2 of the UN Charter talks of "the self-determination of peoples". Would that include the people of Crimea, Donetsk and Luhansk? I assume so. Should the UN not be pushing for a ceasefire and then a supervised referendum in those areas? Perhaps difficult for the latter two regions as so many have left. But I think some attempt should be made to let the people of those regions determine their own future, whether as part of Ukraine, part of Russia, or as independent states.

Why not have the same referendums all over Russia? Or in other countries? Where would it end, really? I think the clause you mentioned is not about breaking countries up.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

La vie douceToday 03:00 pm JST

"Where are those WMD,s Saddam apparently had and was ready to use against the US "?

Someone lied to the CIA and unfortunately that was the only evidence used.

Ah oui, the " magical and mysterious " someone" .. with all its resources the CIA was unable to verify the truth and US and its allies went to a war based on "someone"s fairy tale but that is fine and water under the bridge now.

"Completely irrelevant to Russia's war crimes, though, because no one contends that was a war for territory."

No, that was a war for oil resources based on a fairy story but somehow that particular war did not affect the "unshakable principles " Kishida is referring to in the article.

A lovely "on topic" comment proving nothing.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

Lovely words from PM Kishida.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I think the clause you mentioned is not about breaking countries up.

Then what is it about? Does self-determination for Taiwan mean something different to self-determination for Crimea? Who decides that Taiwan is not part of China but Crimea is part of Ukraine? The people of Northern Ireland get to decide whether they are part of the UK. What about Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia? While I can understand there could be problems if my next door neighbour declares independence (mainly for him), I think if there is general acceptance within the UN for changes to countries, that should suffice.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Aly RustomToday  09:59 am JST

Pretty sneaky by Kish to try to use the Ukraine crisis to push for a Permanent UN Security Council Seat.

Many nations have been advancing the addition of Germany, Japan, India and Brazil to the Perm UNSC for years now. Nothing new here.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

It seems that the UN is being destroyed by one of the 5 founding members (Russia). It's time to remove Russia from the Security Council. No procedures for that? How about all the other members simply barring them from entry? You might have to do this with China, too. There's probably no other way to bring the UN back from the brink.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

albaleoSep. 21 06:00 pm JST

I think the clause you mentioned is not about breaking countries up.

Then what is it about?

It's about self-determination for a country as a whole, i.e. free from coercion of bigger powers.

Does self-determination for Taiwan mean something different to self-determination for Crimea? Who decides that Taiwan is not part of China but Crimea is part of Ukraine?

I would say 75 years of de facto independence for Taiwan lends its formal independence credence. Remember it was the PRC that broke away from the ROC. For Ukraine, it's only been nine years and Russia shamelessly annexed already, showing it's criminal hand. We no longer need to speak about Donbas republics, just criminally stolen territory.

The people of Northern Ireland get to decide whether they are part of the UK. What about Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia? While I can understand there could be problems if my next door neighbour declares independence (mainly for him), I think if there is general acceptance within the UN for changes to countries, that should suffice.

There is acceptance for changes to countries based on their own internal struggles. There is not acceptance of fascist Russia trying to wipe all of Ukraine off of the map.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

There is not acceptance of fascist Russia trying to wipe all of Ukraine off of the map.

I can't disagree with that. But if we leave Russia's actions aside for now, there still remain the people of the eastern parts of Ukraine who I understand were generally unhappy with the changes that occurred in 2014. Should their thoughts be ignored just because Russia behaves badly?

I guess we disagree on the idea of self-determination. Fair enough. But the issue seems to crop up a lot in our messy world.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

I guess we disagree on the idea of self-determination. Fair enough. But the issue seems to crop up a lot in our messy world.

Extremists believe in the right of the minority to exercise tyranny over the majority when the minority doesn't like what the majority is doing.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

albaleoToday 04:11 am JST

There is not acceptance of fascist Russia trying to wipe all of Ukraine off of the map.

I can't disagree with that. But if we leave Russia's actions aside for now, there still remain the people of the eastern parts of Ukraine who I understand were generally unhappy with the changes that occurred in 2014. Should their thoughts be ignored just because Russia behaves badly?

Legally it is Ukraine's territory. Russia created this problem by preventing the Ukrainian government from running fair elections. Until Russia is bloodied and broken, defeating Russia will be the priority.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Many nations have been advancing the addition of Germany, Japan, India and Brazil to the Perm UNSC for years now. Nothing new here.

What is new is using the crisis in Ukraine to advance that agenda

That's pretty low.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

An immediate end would be a ceasefire, leaving Russia in control of the historically Russian areas.

Russia is prepared to discuss the new line of control.

Unfortunately Zelensky is refusing to accept a negotiated peace.

and he is right to refuse such a scenario. Russia needs to move back across their borders. There is no negotiation for illegal invasions.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

I can't disagree with that. But if we leave Russia's actions aside for now, there still remain the people of the eastern parts of Ukraine who I understand were generally unhappy with the changes that occurred in 2014. Should their thoughts be ignored just because Russia behaves badly?

I guess we disagree on the idea of self-determination. Fair enough. But the issue seems to crop up a lot in our messy world.

But the majority of the people in the Dombas didn't want self determination. They didn't think there was a genocide going on. This was all nonsense agitated by Russia. The subsequent elections were highly discredited.....if they feel it is the will of all who live there, then Russia should pull out....allow the UN to administer an election there to decide whether they want to be independent or part of ukraine....but Russia knows that it was garbage propaganda that they peddled. I'm all for self-determination....if that's what the majority wants.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

But the majority of the people in the Dombas didn't want self determination.

How do you know this? I've no idea what they want, but it would seem reasonable to ask them, and let them decide their own future. I know it would be difficult to hold a fair referendum, but I've yet to hear any Western leader even mention the idea.

From the link below:

We do not have perfect information on the opinions of populations across the globe, but we do have strong evidence that large segments of the populations of Crimea and the Donbas would prefer to be part of Russia rather than a Ukraine that is seeking to distance itself from her. From the Soviet referendum of 1991 on the preservation of the Soviet Union to pre-2014 election results in Ukraine—all the evidence points to a majority of the population in those regions wanting to be part of the Russian world.

https://canadiandimension.com/articles/view/self-determination-in-ukraine-should-cut-both-ways

0 ( +1 / -1 )

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