By Matthew Russell Lee
UNITED NATIONS, October 18 -- In the run-up to the first round of balloting for UN Security Council seats on Thursday morning, Inner City Press asked two Rwandan diplomats on their way in for their predicted vote count.
No predictions, was the reply, but we are confident. The timing of the leak of a Congo sanctions report two days before the voting alleging Rwandan support of the M23 mutineers has led to a question: how many abstentions? Lost in most of the coverage is Rwanda's pre-existing objection to the sanctions Group of Experts coordinator Steve Hege, for downplaying in 2009 the threat posed by the FDLR militia.
A well placed African source predicted to Inner City Press that some in SADC would abstain, along with the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Of the DRC's dismissed objection just before the voting, that Rwanda is not eligible because it is not peace-loving and is an oasis for war criminals, another African Permanent Representative said, "it's not the time for that, this is not the place for substantive" moves.
Another asked, "hasn't Bosco [Ntaganda] been leaving in the Congo?" Does that make them an oasis?
In the WEOG race, Inner City Press asked Australian foreign minister Bob Carr if he felt there are already too many Europeans in the Council. Yes, he said, very much so. Then he got more diplomatic, describing Australia's credentials. We'll see -- watch this site.
