UNcontested, Japan, Uruguay, Senegal, Ukraine & Egypt Get Seats, ICP Qs All 5

By Matthew Russell Lee

UNITED NATIONS, October 15 -- In an election without competition for five UN Security Council seats, Japan, Egypt, Uruguay, Senegal and Ukraine all won two year terms of the Security Council on Thursday.

Senegal was the top vote-getter, with 187, followed by Uruguay with 185. Japan got 184 votes and Egypt 179. Ukraine got 177.

   Before the voting, President of the General Assembly Mogens Lykketoft told the media what NOT to photograph. But even avoiding the ballots, there were bags by Uruguay, a small soccer or football, a blue swag bag. Many came to greet Egypt's foreign minister at his seat; Ukraine's Pavlo Klimko was in the front row. Japan stayed calm in the back. DPRK sat alone.

 After the vote at the stakeout, Inner City Press asked Egypt's foreign minister Shoukri about Libya. He said Egypt supports UN Envoy Leon's deal and the legitimate government, the House of Representatives. But what about the GNC in Tripoli? 

  Inner City Press asked Senegal's foreign minister about Burundi -- he cited deference to regional groupings -- and Yemen. Inner City Press asked if Senegal offered troops to Saudi Arabia. Yes, but not deployed to Yemen, he said. Video here, embedded below

  Inner City Press asked Uruguay about Haiti - they are committed - 

and Ukraine's Pavlo Klimkin about MH17 (natch).  


Inner City Press asked Japan's Permanent Representative if changes to his country's military defense law will impact its positions in the Security Council and on Peacekeeping.

More on all this soon.