By Matthew Russell Lee
UNITED NATIONS, November 7 -- From speeches on UN Security Council reform given Thursday morning, the archeology of the last two weeks could be made out. President of the General Assembly John Ashe named a Group of Six advisers.
His letter did not go online; Inner City Press published it first. (His office said that was a snafu not to be repeated.)
Ashe's Group of Six and their mandate drew criticism from United for Consensus (conveyed by Italy), the Arab Group (conveyed by Bahrain), the Eastern European Group (conveyed in person) and by China. Inner City Press published all three letters.
It emerged that Ashe on November 6 tried to assuage UfC by saying that, contrary to statements by Brazil and Germany in the Security Council debate on Working Methods, the Group of Six will neither negotiate nor draft. Ashe repeated this on Thursday morning.
Still, French Deputy Permanent Representative said France looks forward to the Advisory Group drafting. India's Deputy Permanent Representative insists the UfC represents a minority, spoilers. But what about the Arab Group? What about China?
Algeria's Permanent Representative made a point of order, saying that Egypt misstated the Arab Group position.
Among those also said to still be "mis-interpreting" the mandate of Ashe's Group of Six are Saint Kitts and Nevis for L69, and ("partially") Guyana for CARICOM. The speeches will continue Thursday afternoon. Watch this site.
Footnote: Across the hall in the UN's North Lawn building on Thursday morning, Bolivia became the head of the Group of 77 for 2014, as Inner City Press reported on Wednesday. The meeting, which G77 asked to be on UNTV, was delayed because UNTV still showed it as closed.
The Free UN Coalition for Access @FUNCA_info asked why, after the delay hit half an hour. It subsequently went on UNTV and FUNCA offered thanks -- as well as a photograph. This is how problems get fixed in real time. If only Security Council reform were this straight forward. FUNCA will continue.
