UNITED NATIONS, April 30 -- Six hours into Western Sahara negotiations in the Security Council, the threat to call the vote was made. There would be three abstentions against the resolution drafted by the so-called Group of Friends: Uganda, Nigeria and Mexico.
A compromise that was apparently acceptable to all 15 members, but was opposed by Morocco, would refer to UN "mechanisms" as a euphemism for human rights.
Frente Polisario says it could live with this language, and is angry that Morocco has become on this issue the one in "P-5 Plus One." Others wonder if France only agreed to put this language to Morocco because it knew Morocco would shoot it down.
Inside the consultations, Inner City Press is told, Austria's Ambassador wondered out loud how France, so important in forming the concept of human rights, could be so vehemently opposing the inclusion of the term in the Western Sahara resolution.
French Ambassador Araud responded angrily that no one can teach human rights lessons to France.
Whereupon the Chinese representative slyly said he was glad that Chinese was no longer alone in its position on -- and against - human rights being considered in the Council.
This echoes a statement by China when France was calling for humanitarian intervention into Myanmar after cyclone Nargis. As Inner City Press exclusively reported, China responded that when thousands of French elderly died in the heatwave when doctors were on vacation, it had not called for intervention. This angered then French ambassador Jean Maurice Ripert. And now Gerard Araud?
On timing, the UN's note takers have already left for the Greentree retreat on peacekeeping. At some point the Ambassadors will have to go. Last year, the MINURSO extension talks started in the afternoon, and went to 11 p.m.. And this year? Watch this site.
Update of 5:10 pm.- Araud notes he should have left for Greentree 10 minutes ago. Predicts unanimity. Chinese laughs at story of bonding with France on rights.
Update of 5:41 p.m. -- the only change to the draft in blue is a reference to MINURSO's existing mandate, a hat tip to the call for a referandum. But as Nigeria pointed out, the draft does not refer to the 1991 resolution on the referendum. Still Nigeria and Uganda and Mexico voted for it, 15-0. Japan's Takasu has brought his month to a close. His staff have entered the Council with hand trucks, to move their paraphenalia. Speaking after the vote are the U.S. and now Araud and Mexico.
