By Matthew Russell Lee
UNITED NATIONS, December 8, updated -- On Cote d'Ivoire as the Security Council inched toward a deal mirroring the ECOWAS statement but not declaring Ouattara the winner, battles were on for who would claim credit.
Mexico in morning consultation put forward the ECOWAS solution. But two African Permanent Representative were skeptical. “Not only Mexican,” said one. “We'll take support from anywhere,” the other said, smiling broadly.
US Permanent Representative Susan Rice was present for Tuesday's five hour fight, and even Wednesday morning's standoff with a lower level Russian. With a deal approaching she is absent. Cabinet meeting in Washington was the reason given. Who would read a belatedly agreed to press statement for the US? Another Ambassador.
Inner City Press directly asked Russian Deputy Permanent Representative Konstantin Dolgov if he would agree to “mirror ECOWAS.” He replied, “You are ahead of the Security Council!” We'll see.
Update of 5:15 pm -- the Security Council has taken a 15 minute break to print a new version, with sources saying a deal is near. Gabon's Ambassador, to whom Inner City Press asked about Mexico's role, said instead, “Russian contribution!” We still see a positive contribution by Mexico's PR Heller, who will be missed along with Austria's Ambassador on the Council once the countries leave in December. But will the Cote d'Ivoire deal be done this evening? UK's Lyall Grant has left.
