For Kim Jong-Il, Moment of Silence in UNGA, Shot Down in SC, Ban No Comment

By Matthew Russell Lee

UNITED NATIONS, December 22 -- The UN General Assembly held a standing moment of silence in "tribute" to Kim Jong-Il on Thursday afternoon. In front of the GA a range of diplomats, most of them not Permanent Representatives or lead Ambassadors, told Inner City Press they were uncomfortable with the tribute.

Security Council president Vitaly Churkin, on his way into the Security Council for its 4 pm meeting, said that a request had been received for a similar minute of silence in the Council, it was circulated but there was no consensus - and hence, no Council minute of silence.

Moments earlier Inner City Press had asked North Korean Permanent Representative Sin Son Ho if there had been a request to the Security Council for a moment of silence. He said he didn't know, and gestured upstairs where the General Assembly minute had just taken place.

Downstairs, a Deputy Permanent Representative said that "one country" broken consensus. Another responded, more than one - "there was no consensus" -- adding that many countries did not go to the GA before the moment of silence.

Up in front of the GA French diplomat Beatrice Le Fraper du Hellen, last seen trying to procure a International Criminal Court judgeship for Bruno Cathala for whom a vote trade with an unqualified candidate was offered, walked into the GA before the moment of silence. But did she stay inside for the minute? Only the shadow - l'ombre -- knows. Watch this site.