By Matthew Russell Lee
www.innercitypress.com/un1colombia070110.html
UNITED NATIONS, July 1 -- Amid writhing dancers, drums and a soprano saxophone, Colombia on Thursday night at the UN promoted its candidacy for the Security Council in 2011-2012.
In a more cloak and dagger fashion, a subtext was that the UN should not be speaking with the FARC rebels. Under the banner of children and armed conflict, a diplomat complained, the UN is seeking to give credence to the rebels, who are losing. One size, the diplomat said, does not fit all.
Up on the stage, with the East River as a backdrop, Colombian dancers moved quickly. Some Ambassadors gaped. This, one said, is what Security Council reform should be all about.
Also working hard was Uzbekistan's Permanent Representative. He spoke to Inner City Press, emphasizing his country's bona fides despite the closure of the border. He lobbied the UK and other Permanent Five members. He was more mobile than the wait staff, which distributed lamb chops and small bowls of ceviche.
Of under secretaries general, those of management and public information were visible. Turkey's Ambassador stood appreciating music. Brazil's greeted all and sundry. Both voted no on Iran sanctions. While Iran did not appear, North Korea put in an appearance. Out the window ships passed by.
Russia's Vitaly Churkin was in attendance, and was asked by a journalist-- not this one -- whether a family member working for Russia Today let slip that he might take over from Lavrov. Churkin denied it all. There: for the record.
Colombia's swag bag contained a pound of Juan Valdez coffee, in a small burlap bag one could imagine on a burro. They have an office in Beijing. That, as they say, is the future.
Footnote: Sadly, the Delegates' Lounge where this took place might soon be a thing of the past. Due to UN planning, a week ago Aramark stopped food service in the UN cafeteria at 2:30 instead of 7:30. Now the buzz among employees is that the Delegates' will close, due to lack of business. What made the UN, the UN, is all falling by the wayside. Diplomacy is suffering, but no one seems to care.
