TODAY, super cop Kiran Bedi completes her stint with the United Nations (UN) in New York (NY).  For Bedi, one of India’s most celebrated women in uniform, it has been a challenging journey from New Delhi to the corridors of power in a world body.  For the UN itself, 2004 has been a testing year.  The UN’s role has been questioned in light of the violence in Iraq and genocide in Sudan.  Bedi, who was part of the inner circle at the UN, insists one must keep the faith with the UN.

As she ends her tenure, she talks about her role in the UN, the status of the body and where she goes from here.  Excerpts from an interview:

How long did your UN tenure last?

Two years.  I was based in NY and joined the UN assignment in February 2003.  I finish today.  Tough my base was NY, I had the opportunity to travel to Africa, Europe, Asia and within America itself.

What did your assignment entail?

I had to provide preparation for the UN in all aspects of police reform and inputs for

But there is no substitute to this world body.  It is the moral capital.  I have seen from close quarters what difference the UN makes wherever it goes.  Also, you must remember that it is we, the countries that make the UN whatever it is, in both human and material resources.

Will the UN become an international watchdog only in name?  Its power will become defunct as more nations go to war and terrorism increases.

No.  The UN is the only body which truly brings all countries together; it’s the only real global voice.  Some countries may have more muscle or money but in no way does that take away the rights of the UN.

On a personal note what’s your agenda after leaving the UN?

First, I’m coming home.  I do have some academic and research goals.  Writing and research will go parallel with whatever else I do.  I would not like to say more at this stage.

restructuring the police in countries that the UN decided to go to, to prevent escalation of internal hostility.  I 2004, we have provided plans, assessments, experts, management, supervision and training to 6,000 police officers.  We were in Liberia, Congo, East Timor, Kosovo, Cyprus, Georgia, Sierra Leone, Afghanistan, Burundi, Haiti and other places, some very dangerous at the moment.  It was truly an internal policing assignment, all with different timelines as we were dealing with different countries.  We were reporting to all member states.

The UN has been accused of being a ‘toothless tiger’, a body incapable of standing up to the US or stopping genocide in Africa.

All institutions go through phases, as is the UN.  It’s going through a phases that history will judge.