Enhancing U.S. leadership at the United Nations

"The United States has not been nearly as effective at the United Nations as it can or should be. To address this concern, the Council on Foreign Relations and Freedom House consponsored an Independent Task Force to assess the U.S.-UN relationship and to suggest a new strategy for improving the effectiveness and reputation of the United States at the UN." "The Task Force calls for a U.S. strategy of building a coalition of democracies at the United Nations to carry forward three aims: building further support for democratization around the world, promoting respect for human rights principles, and coming together more effectively in the war against terrorism." "In making its analysis, the Task Force identified several obstacles to U.S. effectiveness at the UN, including U.S. reluctance to support international agreements; the U.S. practice of withholding treaty-obligated dues; long gaps in the confirmation of a permanent U.S. representative to the UN; and a reluctance to engage in the outreach and lobbying at the UN for which American democracy is famous. The report also concludes that politicization in UN bodies, including the General Assembly and the Commission on Human Rights, has made the institution an inconsistent voice for democracay and human rights." "This report includes the Task Force's findings and recommendations, as well as key UN documents in the areas of democracy, human rights, and counterterrorism." --Book Jacket.