Latin American impasse over U.N. council seat

[maddezmom]

GUATEMALA, VENEZUELA WON'T COMPROMISE; VOTE STRAINED BY U.S. ANTI-CHÁVEZ CAMPAIGN
By Nick Wadhams
Associated Press
UNITED NATIONS - Guatemala failed repeatedly to muster the necessary votes to beat out Venezuela for a Latin American seat on the U.N. Security Council, prompting diplomats Tuesday to demand a compromise candidate.

Both have so far refused and the U.N. General Assembly scheduled yet more rounds of voting Thursday by its 192 member nations. That left a day off for Latin American nations to try to find a solution.

In the 22nd round of voting, Guatemala garnered 102 votes to Venezuela's 77. That result, similar to that of many of the previous rounds during the past two days, was 23 votes short of the two-thirds needed to win, and it now appeared that neither would be able to bridge the gap.

``It's obvious that the General Assembly is sharply divided, and we are facing a deadlock in this election,'' said the Arab League's U.N. representative Yahya Mahmassani. ``We look forward to the group of Latin American and Caribbean states to find a solution to this impasse, with the acquiescence and acceptance of the two candidates.''

more:http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/world/15786310.htm?source=rss

[Minstrel Boy]

1. Venezuela in win-win at UN

CARACAS, Venezuela (UPI) -- Over the years, Venezuela has used its considerable oil and gas wealth to exact its influence throughout Latin America and the world and it now appears to be trying to parlay its efforts into earning a temporary seat on the U.N. Security Council.

Though Venezuela continued to trail Guatemala Tuesday after two rounds of voting, just being a runner up to the hand-picked U.S. favorite is a considerable accomplishment in light of the ever-increasing friction between Washington and Caracas.

Raising concerns over alleged U.S. meddling in the election process, Francisco Arias Cardenas, Venezuela`s ambassador to the United Nations, said his country could withdraw from council seat contention to end what he called the Bush administration`s 'extortion' efforts to get close ally Guatemala on the council.

'We are willing to make the sacrifice on behalf of everyone to make sure we have a democracy inside the General Assembly,' he said.

http://news.monstersandcritics.com/energywatch/features/article_1212113.php/Venezuela_in_win-win_at_UN

[dipsydoodle]

2. Armenia would be a good substitute

and it would be one in the eye for Turkey.

http://www.armeniapedia.org/index.php?title=Armenian_Genocide

[Minstrel Boy]

3. The seat needs to be filled by Latin America.

I'm pulling for Bolivia.

[dipsydoodle]

4. Didn't realise that.

So what would happen ? Does it follow that Venezuela and Guatemala would both pull out ?