We are also very concerned about the evolution of the political behaviour of some representatives of the United Nations - in particular its current Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, who seems to have chosen an orientation of commitment in line with the geopolitical interests of the US and its allies.

Remaining silent during the coup against the legitimate president of Honduras Manuel Zelaya, Ban Ki-Moon deployed prodigious energy to try to impose Ivorian candidates who have the sympathy and support of Washington, the IMF and the World Bank. What is even worse, the General Secretariat of the United Nations and the European Commission seem comfortable with the possibility of a military intervention in this country, in what would constitute an unprecedented conflict in the history of international relations: military interference as a solution to controversial elections.

The European Left has no particular sympathy at all towards Mr Gbagbo but we think that it’s up to the people to determine their solution, a peaceful solution, to finally overcome the current deadlock.

Military intervention today is strongly reminiscent of neo-colonial procedures. The European Left thinks its time to remind the General Secretary and also the international representation of the EU of some lines from the UN Charter: “Nothing contained in the present Charter shall authorize the United Nations to intervene in matters which are essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of any state”

EL Executive Board, Brussels, 15-16 January 2011