"The U.N. can meet and discuss, but we don't need their permission"

This quote by Andrew Card recommends that the United Nations (U.N.) can come together and talk about problems, but that their permission is not required for certain actions. This suggests that the U.N. is not the ultimate authority on international matters, and that private countries can do something about it without speaking with the U.N. initially. This might be interpreted as a require nations to take more obligation for their own actions, rather than depending on the U.N. to make decisions for them. It might likewise be viewed as a criticism of the U.N. for not being able to efficiently address worldwide concerns. Ultimately, this quote suggests that nations need to take more effort and not count on the U.N. to resolve their problems.