By Matthew Russell Lee
UNITED NATIONS, July 7 -- Just after Hugo Chavez resurfaced after diagnosis of a tumor in Cuba, the Venezuelan Mission to the UN threw a bash for the country's bicentenial, with Oscar D'Leon backed by trombones, tres and violin blasting out hits from Puerto Rico, Colombia and even Russia.
The turnout in the UN cafeteria was impressive. Inner City Press spoke with Permanent Representatives ranging from Costa Rica through Haiti to Jamaica, Deputy Perm Reps from Russia to South Africa and larger number diplomats who asked not to be identified.
Palestine's Observer worked the crowd; his delegation explained to Inner City Press that despite whispers they must decide or not to ask for statehood by mid July, that is not the case.
The spokesperson of a Western member of the Security Council told Inner City Press that the South Sudan mission resolution would be voted on at 8 pm; others quickly disagreed.
On a more nitty gritty level, delegates to the UN's Fifth (Budget) Committee reviewed for Inner City Press the recent all-night fight on the Peacekeeping budget.
“The UN won,” a well placed budget maven said. “An issue which had gone unresolved for years, how much to pay the peacekeepers, finally got acted on, despite shouting and yelling from France and others.” A pause. “This is on background, right?”
Russia's Deputy Perm Rep Pankin, never shy, joked that this was much better than dry meetings about the Libya sanctions regime. He said he farewells and left, just before D'Leon launched into a tribute to Russian music.
While the UK's Permanent and Deputy Permanent Representatives put in appearances, the US for example appeared at what's called a lower level, the same individual they sent to the Libya Sanctions committee earlier in the day.
Venezuela's Perm Rep Valero began the proceedings, wishing Hugo Chavez good health, which Oscar D'Leon echoed. There was a hat tip to the Venezuela controlled oil giant Citgo.
Then followed the music, which politics aside took the event over the top. There's been other good music this year, by Cameroon in the UN, and Colombia at the Permanent Representative's house. But Oscar D'Leon in the cafeteria has yet to be topped. Watch this site - and this, Inner City Press debate on BloggingHeads.tv on July 7.
