Opinion - News Analysis   

U.N. set for the long haul

Ed Pilkington

Venezuela and Guatemala deadlocked over Security Council seat.

THE TUSSLE between Venezuela and Guatemala for a temporary seat on the United Nations Security Council entered its second day on Tuesday, as neither commanded a two-thirds majority of the General Assembly.

The countries were vying for a Latin American seat on the Security Council, one of 10 non-permanent positions, in an ideologically charged contest. Venezuela is presenting itself as the lead opponent of American hegemony, while Guatemala has Washington's backing.

As the number of attempts to extract a decision from the 192 U.N. nations ran into double figures, there was little prospect of a quick resolution. The 14th time the assembly was polled, Guatemala had 108 votes to Venezuela's 76, but still fell short of the 126 needed to win. Even if the five nations who abstained were to swing behind Guatemala, the deadlock would remain. Guatemala has consistently been ahead, except for the sixth vote, when the two countries tied at 93 votes each.

U.N. ambassadors were bracing themselves for the long haul. Voting could be extended for days until delegates are forced to swing behind one of the candidate countries out of sheer desperation.

However, governments are likely to be cautious about putting their names forward in a competition that has become so polarised. Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez has taken on the mantle in Washington's view traditionally worn by Cuba's Fidel Castro as irritant-in-chief.

The Venezuelan Government has invested huge sums in the form of aid to countries in Latin America, the Caribbean, and Africa in its campaign for the Security Council seat. "We are fighting against the first power of the world, the owners of the universe," said Venezuela's ambassador to the U.N., Francisco Arias Cardenas.

Guatemala appeared equally dogged in its refusal to back out, although its Foreign Minister, Gert Rosenthal, did express unease at the portrayal of his country as an American stooge.

The victor will take over from Argentina on January 1 for two years. Nepal, Belgium, Italy, and South Africa have already been elected as non-permanent members of the council. They have no veto, which is reserved for the permanent members. —

© Guardian Newspapers Limited 2006

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Unprecedented intrusion
A President in disgrace
For an equitable rehabilitation policy
The end of a long friendship?
U.S. finally waking up to failure in Iraq
U.N. set for the long haul
Self-delusion of carbon-trading
Corrections and clarifications
Judiciary vs. legislature
Mattoo murder case

Copyright © 2006, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu