By Matthew Russell Lee
www.innercitypress.com/eu1regorgs011210.html
UNITED NATIONS, January 12 -- On the eve of the UN's and China's meeting with regional organizations, a power play by the European Union drew fire from the EU's African counterpart. Inner City Press has been informed by multiple sources that the reconfigured EU is seeking special status at the UN, equal to the Vatican and Palestinian Authority, higher than the African Union. But why?
The Vatican or Holy See is not only an Observer at the UN General Assembly -- it can also participate in debates, and even co-sponsor resolutions that touch on its areas of expertise. It won this right by a GA resolution, adopted by acclamation and not a vote. (The GA President at the time didn't want to "put the Pope to a vote," as he put it.)
The African Union does not have this Papal status. But now comes the EU, wanting to leapfrog the AU and gain the right to participate and sponsor resolutions.
A source in the Executive Office of the Secretary General told Inner City Press this is "very sensitive." The EOSG, he said, has drafted a document on the EU's power play, merely "taking note" of it, the same non-committal stance that was the only consensus reached in Denmark on the Copenhagen Accord on climate change.
On July 13, the Security Council under its Chinese presidency will hold a meeting with regional organizations. Under the surface, the EU's diss of the AU and all the issues that brings up with fester. Watch this site.
