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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2009
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US to Join UN Human Rights Panel, Reversing Bush

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(Newser) – In another reversal of Bush policy, the Obama administration said today it would seek to join the UN Human Rights Council. The US will participate in May elections for one of three open seats on the 3-year-old body, the Washington Post reports. Bushies declined to join, arguing that the council allowed in repressive nations, but Hillary Clinton said joining is imperative because "human rights are an essential element of American global foreign policy."

Rights advocates hailed the move. "This is a welcome step that gives the United States and other defenders of human rights a fighting chance to make the institution more effective," said one. "I think everybody is just desperate to have the United States and Barack Obama run for the human rights council, and countries are willing to bend over backward to make that happen."

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton arrives at Schiphol Airport, Netherlands, Monday.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton arrives at Schiphol Airport, Netherlands, Monday.   (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton gestures arrives at Schiphol Airport, Netherlands, Monday.
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton gestures arrives at Schiphol Airport, Netherlands, Monday.   (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)
Displaced Sudanese women seeking medical treatment line up outside a military field hospital outside Darfur.
Displaced Sudanese women seeking medical treatment line up outside a military field hospital outside Darfur.   (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser)
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This is like getting on board the Titanic after it's hit the iceberg. ... There is no concrete American interest served by this, and it legitimizes something that doesn't deserve legitimacy. - Former UN amabassador John R. Bolton

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6 comments
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Mad
Mar 31, 09 6:49 PM CDT
"In another reversal of Bush policy..." what a great way to put a smile on America's face Reply
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tim
Mar 31, 09 7:15 PM CDT
Smile or none, it's a bad idea. Reply
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IN RESPONSE:
Mad
Mar 31, 09 7:26 PM CDT
Okay Tim, detail why you feel this is bad. Or do you need a few days for Rush to spoon feed you your response?
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TerrifiedCitizen
Mar 31, 09 7:41 PM CDT
Oh yeah, human rights isn't something that we'd take interest in... Right Tim? Reply
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RobN
Mar 31, 09 8:42 PM CDT
I can't imagine why we wouldn't want to be part of a commission that chose Libya to be its chair. Or one that even Kofi Annan said had no credibility. It's hard to imagine. Reply
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