The conflict between U.S. President George W. Bush and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has now brought voting at the United Nations on impermanent members at the U.N. Security Council to a standstill. Two days of voting at the U.N. General Assembly could not specify the fifth temporary member of the Security Council.
The first day of voting on five new members for 2007-2009 term brought about the following result: South Africa representing Africa, Indonesia representing Asia; and Belgium and Italy representing Western European and other groups of countries.
There is ardent competition between Venezuela and Guatemala, which is supported by the United States, for a position as the temporary member that will represent the Latin American and Caribbean region.
The Wednesday voting did not end up with any result.
In a total of 22 voting sessions since Tuesday, Venezuela has been trailing Guatemala.
In the last voting session, Guatemala took 102 votes while Venezuela took 77; however, neither one crossed the two-thirds majority threshold.
Famous for his sharp criticism of the American administration, Chavez is seeking a seat at the Security Council as an organization that he believes can act against the Washington-based policies and lead its members against a bloc of the developed countries.
But the Washington administration calls attention to the oppositional stance of Venezuela on all American policies as a point of objection to Venezuela being a member of the Security Council.
Afraid of the possibility of Venezuela could with Qatar and South Africa next year in the Security Council, Western diplomats are lobbying with Guatemalan officials against Venezuela.
With his assertion of his promise to give a voice to the silent, Chavez later likened Bush to Satan, which appears to have hurt his popularity.
Words from the Venezuelan leader implied he would play an influential in talks over international peace, as well as security, and were all meant to gain the support from countries in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America.
The voting will continue until one of the two countries wins a two-thirds majority.
The winner will replace Argentina on Dec. 31 for a position at the Security Council for the next two years.
Source: Zaman
Our button
print version
