UNITED NATIONS, January 28 -- "China does not have diplomatic relations with Haiti," a senior Chinese diplomat confirmed to Inner City Press over spicy shredded chicken Thursday night at the Chinese Mission to the UN. The reason is that Haiti still recognizes Taiwan.
"But we search our search and rescue," the diplomat continued. Inner City Press informed him that the UN, earlier this week, told the Press that the Chinese search and rescue team, after digging out Chinese casualties under the Christopher Hotel, "returned to Beijing."
"That's just a rumor," the diplomat protested, adding the UN humanitarian chief "John Holmes denied that." But UN Haiti spokesman David Winhurst said that it was true, the Chinese "returned to Beijing."
"We don't care that they think," another Chinese diplomat told Inner City Press.
Inner City Press had suggested that whoever becomes the next Chinese Ambassador to the UN make more of an effort of stating the country's position at the stakeout, as for example both the French and American Ambassadors have done in recent days. The diplomat shrugged. "If you want clarifications or facts, you can call us. But we don't care what they think."
About the International Monetary Fund requiring a reduction in size of the "Chinese" deal with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Chinese diplomat scoffed that it was a deal not by the Chinese government, but "companies." He said of the Joseph Kabila government, "They are sitting on riches but don't have the money to dig them out. We provide that, and the give us minerals, like copper."
He added that the Chinese deal with Guinea, right after the 2009 massacre, was by a Hong Kong based company.
At the Chinese end of Security Council presidency reception on Thursday night, the Permanent Representatives of such Council members as Russia, the UK, Brazil, Mexico and Austria milled around with the Sudanese counterpart. The US was represented by Deputy Alejandro Wolff.
General Assembly President Ali Treki, with bodyguard, put in an appearance. There was Moutai -- cut off when one reporter got too boisterous -- and blackened pepper steak. "We don't care what they think," the diplomat had said -- but this did not appear to apply to, or undermine, the Mission's hospitality. But African resource deals? Watch this site.
