Wolfish comments

As so often, you get a beautifully choreographed comment in the heat of the moment which, if you are a good diplomat, defeats the entire argument and political stance of your opponent whilst simultaneously exemplifying that you didn't have time to come up with better argument.

Such were the words of (acting) US Ambassador to the UN, Alejandro Wolff this morning who said, in light of Ahmedinejad's request to speak before the council:

I find it ironic that a president who's quoted today saying that he tears up Security Council resolutions and has no respect for what the council does, is interested in coming and speaking to the council."

Unfortunately for Ahmadinejad such a comment will fly in the face of an appointment to speak formally before the Security Council. Not only does he need the approval of the members in the Security Council to speak but he also needs the approval of the Secretary General. On this front, there is some promise. Quote, Ban Ki-moon today, that Iran:

should have a right to participate in any deliberations of any organization of the United Nations."

If Ahmadinjad's request fails, which I think it will, Iran can always wait for a non-permanent seat on the council. Inevitable rotation might eventually lead to this improbability somewhere down the line. Iran was last a non-permanent member from 1955 – 1956. By the time reoccurring rotation occurs the world will have changed significantly. Nonetheless, Security Council Procedures Rule 17 states that:

The Head of Government or Minister of Foreign Affairs of each member of the Security Council shall be entitled to sit on the Security Council without submitting credentials."

And with this, I come to the contorted conclusion that Ahmadinejad should start campaigning for a non-permanent seat if he wishes a part in the deliberations at the council.