The United Nations can regain both the prestige and moral authority it needs to deal effectively with world issues by living up to its Charter and removing the United States from the Security Council. This would not only eliminate the greatest immediate threat to world peace but, additionally, confer legitimacy on future activities of the world body. The primary goals of the institution, to preserve the peace and to discourage aggression, have been seriously maligned by the belligerence of the Bush Administration. The illegal war in Iraq, which was never endorsed by the Security Council, has perpetrated a firestorm of unrest and violence across the region, transforming the country into a security nightmare. Similarly, the allegations of covert involvement by the Bush Administration in deposing Jean Bertrand Aristide in Haiti strongly suggest that the ongoing aggression of the US is no longer compatible with the objectives of the UN.

The Secretary General, Kofi Annan, should call for an exhaustive investigation into the involvement of the US (and its covert operations in the Dominican Republic) in the removal of the democratically elected President of Haiti. Then, (if the US is found guilty as the facts imply) Annan should convene a meeting of the General Assembly and decide whether or not the United States should be removed from the Security Council.

Under no circumstances should the UN accept the imposition of a replacement government in Haiti. Both the UN and the OAS (Organization of American States) should be entirely committed to returning Aristide to power. On this point there can be no compromise. The will of the Haitian people was clearly stated in an election that favored Aristide with 92 percent of the popular vote. That must be honored.

It is impossible to calculate the positive affects that such a bold act as removing the US would have on the credibility of the UN. At every turn, the administration has demonstrated its unmitigated contempt for the institution, preferring to engage its services only when it can be used as a fig leaf for aggression.

Mr. Bush's dismissive reproach of the UN as "irrelevant" is a straightforward affront that should be judged on its own merit. It indicates that the current administration has reached the "fork in the road" and has no real use for the UN, excluding its ability to facilitate greater global domination.

This should be regarded as a positive development. The interests of the peace-loving world and the United States are no longer compatible. It would be better if they part ways now so that their differing views are more clearly articulated to the people of the world.

There are some countries that seemingly enjoy being labeled a "pariah state." We shouldn't doubt for a minute that Mr. Bush will revel in that designation as well. Most of his closest advisors and devotees have been very candid in their disdain for the UN. The CIA orchestrated coup in Haiti should be seen as an opportunity for the divergent elements to make a clean break and pursue their own respective views of how world affairs should be conducted.

The United States will tire of this folly. People and nations get tired of being an outcast. Eventually, the Bush Administration will make the wise choice and rejoin the brotherhood of civilized nations.

Until that point, the UN needs to assert its "relevance." The rogue behavior of the Bush Administration is destructive to the very principles on which the UN is founded. At present, the UN has decided to follow a cowardly strategy of simply averting its eyes whenever the US goes on another aggression binge.

This is a poor choice.

The US needs intervention and rehab from its errant ways. The UN has to assume the role of adult and bring the schoolyard bully back into the fold. This won't be easy. And, certainly, force of arms is not the solution, nor are economic sanctions.

What the people of the world want to see (and particularly the 8 million who marched to stop the Iraq war) is tangible proof that world leaders see the problem of US aggression and are willing to openly acknowledge it in a public forum.

For that we need one brave state to step forward (in the way Senator Robert Byrd has in the Congress) and start the movement to remove the United States forthwith. There's reason to believe that if one nation does speak up, popular approval will be so widespread that others will be compelled to follow.

This is one small way that "civilized" countries can create a credible deterrent to the continuing hostility of the US.

The member states should shake off their collective denial and act according to principle. Then, we can move on to the important work of restoring the democratically elected President of Haiti to his rightful position.