Bush snubs India at the UN
Has the U.S. decided wisely in choosing to reward an old but wavering ally with the top job at the U.N. and, in the process, embarrass a new strategic partner? Ban Ki-moon, the foreign minister of South Korea, is now for all intents and purposes Kofi Annan’s successor. The man he beat was India’s candidate, ...
Has the U.S. decided wisely in choosing to reward an old but wavering ally with the top job at the U.N. and, in the process, embarrass a new strategic partner? Ban Ki-moon, the foreign minister of South Korea, is now for all intents and purposes Kofi Annan's successor. The man he beat was India's candidate, Shashi Tharoor, U.N. diplomat, part-time author, and FP contributor. Tharoor bowed out on Monday after receiving a 'blue ballot' against him (the ballots of the five permanent Security Council members are blue). A discouragement vote from a veto country is the kiss of death. Yesterday, Indian papers carried reports that the permanent member of the Security Council to oppose his candidacy was none other than India's new friend, the United States.
Having a staunch U.S. ally in the top job must seem like a great idea to Washington. But many are already questioning how much leverage the United Nations may lose in tough nuclear negotiations with, say, Iran or North Korea if the international body looks to be in Washington’s pocket.
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