New Zealand wins a seat on the Security Council

[Fern]

Warri, thank you for your positive words on NZers. Considering our 'smallish' population, we do punch above our weight in a lot of things.
We now have a seat on the Security Council come next year, however is the Security Council very effective or is it just like the UN? a pretty benign organisation. I'll be watching with more interest than usual.
Helen Clarke former PM of NZ,became the Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme in April 2009, and is the first woman to lead the organization. She is also the Chair of the United Nations Development Group, a committee consisting of the heads of all UN funds, programmes and departments working on development issues.

 

[Warrigal]

It is important to have good people, with humanitarian values, in place to make the make good decisions in times of crisis. It is also possible for a well regarded small country to play the role of honest broker between permanent members to enable contentious resolutions to be reworded and head off a possible veto.

Our dopey PM, by publically attacking Putin in the most ridiculous fashion, has probably undone all the good work of the diplomats, but early on the Australian representatives on the SC were influential. I expect the Enzeds will be equally, if not more effective.

 

[oakapple]

It is important to have good people, with humanitarian values, in place to make the make good decisions in times of crisis. It is also possible for a well regarded small country to play the role of honest broker between permanent members to enable contentious resolutions to be reworded and head off a possible veto.

Our dopey PM, by publically attacking Putin in the most ridiculous fashion, has probably undone all the good work of the diplomats, but early on the Australian representatives on the SC were influential. I expect the Enzeds will be equally, if not more effective.

Well said!

 

[Fern]

It is important to have good people, with humanitarian values, in place to make the make good decisions in times of crisis. It is also possible for a well regarded small country to play the role of honest broker between permanent members to enable contentious resolutions to be reworded and head off a possible veto.

Our dopey PM, by publically attacking Putin in the most ridiculous fashion, has probably undone all the good work of the diplomats, but early on the Australian representatives on the SC were influential. I expect the Enzeds will be equally, if not more effective.

Yes, perhaps your PM was feeling 'frustrated' with Putin with his involvement in the downing of the jet plus the vetoes on the Security council,that he's so good at.

 

[Warrigal]

And perhaps he has the brain of a tadpole.

Fortunately our Foreign Minister, the only woman on the Abbott front bench, has had the sense to approach Putin face to face overseas to talk about the MH 17 situation and request his co-operation in asking the rebels to allow investigators to return safely to the crash site. He was agreeable and now it is probable that he and Tony Abbott will not have to discuss the matter further.

 

[Fern]

I saw a photo of them both, Abbot & Putin, standing together, you could see & feel the ice between them. I wonder if Abbot knew Putin was a Judo champion.
this from the Age comment.

Has the world ever encountered such a pair as Abbott and Putin ("Australians were murdered ... I am going to shirt-front Mr Putin", October 14)? They seem to be a unique breed of testosto-Illuminati – those who are mysteriously inspired by their testosterone. I think that truly, once they sort through their posturing, they'll realise how deep their affection is for each other. Bring on the G20 bromance of 2014.

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