Arabs play hard to get on Australia's UN bid

[Violet_Crumble]

Source: The Age

PRIME Minister Kevin Rudd's ambition to win a United Nations Security Council seat for Australia could turn on its attitude to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, an influential Arab diplomat has warned.

Hesham Youssef, chief adviser to the 22-nation League of Arab States, said Australia's stance would be scrutinised closely by Arab countries ahead of the UN vote, due in 2012.

But he said any lingering anger in the Middle East over the Howard government's support for the 2003 invasion of Iraq was unlikely to hurt Australia's campaign.

''Those who actively supported the direction of going to war were not appreciated in our part of the world … but I think this point is behind us now,'' Mr Youssef told The Age in Melbourne yesterday.



Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/national/arabs-play-hard-to-get-on-australias-un-bid-20100202-n94f.html

[Ken Burch]

1. I'm assuming the Arabs want a quid pro quo...what d'ya think it would be, Violet?

Isn't the Rudd government already a lot more Palestinian-friendly than Howard's was?

[Violet_Crumble]

2. It's been a bit hit and miss so far from the Rudd govt...

I know they started out just as bad as the Howard govt when it came to siding with Israel no matter what, but I think things have improved a bit and they no longer vote so blindly. I'm hoping never again to see Australia voting alongside the US, Israel, the Marshall Islands, and Micronesia when there's a UN resolution that's critical of Israel's treatment of the Palestinians. It's just so damn embarressing, especially since the US and Israel haven't even had to buy our vote! ;)

[Ken Burch]

3. It's those damn Marshall Islanders' fault!

When you know you're gonna get flooded out due to global warming, it totally messes up your analysis of Middle East policy.

[Bucky]

4. I don't think any new nations should be given a permanent seat in the Security Council.

Sorry guys, exclusive club means just that. GTFO!

[muriel_volestrangler]

5. It's not for a permanent seat, just the ones that are regularly elected

From the piece:

The Arab League forms a crucial bloc of votes that Australia hopes will support its bid to win one of two temporary spots on the Security Council for 2013-14. Finland and Luxembourg are also vying for a seat.