sundaytimes WEDNESDAY, 21 MARCH 2012
Many Asian, African and Latin American diplomats at the corridors of the Palais de Nations in Geneva hinted politely that although they were in spirit with Sri Lanka, pressure on their governments from the United States, the sole superpower, was so heavy that they were unable to make a final decision.
A few days ago, a victory for Sri Lanka was a 5-50 chance. But with less than a day to go for the vote, the diplomatic gains over the past few weeks appear to be fast eroding.
The body language of the Sri Lankan delegation fluctuates between never-say-die and optimism.
Sri Lanka is assured of the votes of Pakistan, the Maldives, Russia, China, Bangladesh and Cuba. But the pendulum has swung away from Sri Lanka after Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday announced that New Delhi was inclined to vote for the resolution in a statement. However, the ambiguous statement still offers a glimmer of hope for Sri Lanka.READ MORE...
By Ameen Izzadeen in Geneva
With less than 24 hours to go for the crucial vote on the United States-backed resolution at the United Nations Human Rights Council, Sri Lanka faces an Alpine task amidst reports that the goal now appears to be not a victory but how small should the margin of defeat be.
With less than 24 hours to go for the crucial vote on the United States-backed resolution at the United Nations Human Rights Council, Sri Lanka faces an Alpine task amidst reports that the goal now appears to be not a victory but how small should the margin of defeat be.
Many Asian, African and Latin American diplomats at the corridors of the Palais de Nations in Geneva hinted politely that although they were in spirit with Sri Lanka, pressure on their governments from the United States, the sole superpower, was so heavy that they were unable to make a final decision.
A few days ago, a victory for Sri Lanka was a 5-50 chance. But with less than a day to go for the vote, the diplomatic gains over the past few weeks appear to be fast eroding.
The body language of the Sri Lankan delegation fluctuates between never-say-die and optimism.
Sri Lanka is assured of the votes of Pakistan, the Maldives, Russia, China, Bangladesh and Cuba. But the pendulum has swung away from Sri Lanka after Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday announced that New Delhi was inclined to vote for the resolution in a statement. However, the ambiguous statement still offers a glimmer of hope for Sri Lanka.READ MORE...
