By Matthew Russell Lee, Exclusive
UNITED NATIONS, February 28 – After twists and turns in the UN Asia-Pacific Group on Palestine's bid to be a vice chair of the upcoming Arms Trade Treaty talks, Inner City Press on Thursday learned that Palestine withdrew its name, giving the post to Pakistan.
We didn't want to be a distraction, a member of the State of Palestine's delegation told Inner City Press. But we still maintain it is an "all states" format.
"So you'll be between Palau and Panama?" Inner City Press asked.
No, was the answer. We don't want to sit next to countries which did not vote for us [as a State], so we will be listed under "S" for State of Palestine.
And who would Palestine sit between? Sudan and Sri Lanka. Call it ICC corner, noted one Inner City Press wag.
Pakistan also on February formalized its pick-up in ECOSOC of Humanitarian from Sudan, giving Sudan in term the Coordination post. But shouldn't Palestine get something?
The ATT talks kick off on March 18. Watch this site.
