By Matthew Russell Lee
UNITED NATIONS, September 6 -- Former Bolivian president Carlos Mesa came to the UN on September 5 to explain his country's International Court of Justice case against Chile for access to the Pacific Ocean.
He met with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon (who also, for example, listens to Argentina about the Malvinas / Falkland Islands), and said he would soon meet with Jimmy Carter.
Inner City Press asked Mesa about another meeting, with the Organization of American States' Secretary General José Miguel Insulza -- who happens to be from Chile. Recently Inner City Press has inquired into the possible impact of Ban Ki-moon's history as South Korea's foreign minister on (not) commenting on a press freedom case there.
To Mesa, Inner City Press asked if he thought Insulza's Chilean roots might have any impact.
Mesa diplomatically said no, and also that Bolivia knows it is up to the ICJ to decide, these meetings are simply to explain the country's position. That Latin America has gone so long without an inter-state war is noteworthy. Bolivia is currently the head of the Group of 77; Latin America could and should have more positions in the international system. Watch this site.
Footnote: The UN News Centre, in Spanish, covered Mesa's press conference -- but apparently did not do so in English. The Free UN Coalition for Access is inquiring into such selectivity at the UN, particularly in the run-up to the the high level week(s).
