LITTLE ROCK — Last week’s vote to extend nonmember observer status to the Palestinians was a primer on what is wrong with the United Nations, the European Union, the Palestinian Authority and the United States when it comes to the Middle East.
Jonathan Schanzer of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies points out, “There was never much doubt that the UN General Assembly would overwhelmingly vote to upgrade the Palestinian Authority to the status of nonmember state on November 29. The big surprise of the event was that a number of key Western European countries did not join the United States and vote against the resolution.”
Which brings us to the United States and UN Ambassador Susan Rice. She could persuade only the Czech Republic, some Pacific island countries, Canada and Panama to vote against the upgrade? That’s the extent of her diplomatic prowess?
It is quite likely the United States never communicated to Europeans and other allies (e.g., Australia) that the United States would look unfavorably on their abstentions. Apparently our “improved” relations with allies under Obama don’t allow us to ask for anything or get anything of any consequence. Should she still get the nomination for secretary of state, Rice should be grilled on why the results were so abysmal.
Editorial, Pages 16 on 12/05/2012