At the UN a diplomatic dance decides the fate of nations
Nikki Haley
making body — questions of war and peace   life and death . But when world diplomats are building towards a weighty decision   almost any diplomatic tactic seems fair game   even sleight of hand . All the envoys in endless daily meetings in the vast glass - walled tower on Turtle Bay   New York   would say they are seeking consensus . But how   then   to ensure that the Council ’ s decision reflects their own national interest ? “ It plays out on a personal level . Without trust   we ’ d get nowhere  ” a diplomat told AFP   speaking on condition of anonymity to explain the process . Within the past week   for example   the world body united to back an unlikely ceasefire in Syria ’ s endless war   but failed to agree on censuring Iran . The United States wanted to single out Tehran for its alleged interference in the Yemen conflict   but Russia stepped in and headed off the initiative . In each case   the battle lines were almost the same   with America and its allies opposing Russian and Iranian interventions in two regional wars . So why was the diplomatic outcome different ? “ In any negotiation   the key is personal relationships  ” the diplomat explained . Whatever the stark differences between the public positions of the rival member states   in the UN building diplomats work together every day . Cautious friendships and friendly rivalries develop — along with occasional feuds — and personal power plays can decide matters of state . “ In private   relationships are less tragic than they seem in public  ” another diplomat admits .  Washington ’ s ambassador   former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley    is the only politician in a council staffed by veteran career diplomats . Last year   she pulled off an impressive diplomatic coup when she brought China and Russia on board multiple times to secure unanimous support for North Korea sanctions . But on Monday    Haley  delegated the US seat to a colleague and was in Honduras when Russia moved in to halt efforts to condemn Iran . Sometimes   a consensus is found through a savvy manipulation of procedure . Last year   China balked at a resolution to condemn its neighbor Myanmar   but allowed the chairman of the Security Council to issue a declaration or PRST . In theory a PRST ought to be no easier to agree upon than a resolution   since any one of 15 council members can object to elements of the text . But diplomats had suggested the resolution first before falling back on the PRST   allowing China to appear to have won a concession . As a diplomat recalled   it ’ s important to allow an opponent and option to “ save face .” In long negotiations on fraught subjects   like the slaughter in Syria   the winning side is often the one that keeps its cool longest . – Constant dialogue – “ You need to respect the other side when it reveals the red lines it will not cross  ” one negotiator told AFP   while another said : “ It ’ s hard on the nerves .” However the talks go before a vote   most ambassadors check with their national capitals before assenting   abstaining or imposing a veto .  Haley  has the most personal freedom to maneuver   being a member of President Donald Trump ’ s administration with cabinet rank . But  she  is also one of the more inexperienced envoys in a building that hosts constant dialogue   in corridors   conference rooms and text messages . Murmured conversations continue in the carpeted lobbies outside the Security Council chamber and even in the “ Quiet Room ” waiting area . One conference room is set aside for the veto - wielding Permanent Five : Britain   China   France   Russia and the United States . Another hosts the ten non - permanent members . When a new issue comes up for discussion   national experts meet to size up the diplomatic terrain . Then it is either the job of the “ coordinators ” from each mission to draw up the terms of the debate ; otherwise   the ambassadors or their deputies take the reins . Specific roles are handed out . One country on a rolling basis is president of the council   but each issue also has an influential “ penholder .” All members will eventually vote on each resolution   but the draft is drawn up by the penholder . So for the war in Syria   Kuwait and Sweden have taken the lead . For texts dealing with Yemen or Myanmar   Britain has an outsized role . – Pivotal role – Sometimes   if consensus proves elusive   a country can switch or augment its role . In recent discussions about Syria   for example   France has become a “ facilitator ” and China has been invited to small group meetings . Haley   who had been on a trip to Chicago   did not take part in the discussions until the last minute   diplomats say . Russian ambassador Vassily Nebenzia   meanwhile   told AFP he had thanked France ’ s Francois Delattre by text message for taking a pivotal role in the ceasefire . Finally   theatrical gestures sometimes pay off . On February 22   all 10 ambassadors from non - permanent members appeared together in front of the press to exhibit their joint concern at Russia ’ s stalling . Two days later   the world was wondering whether Russia would agree to the Syrian truce . UN television cameras suddenly jumped to Haley and Delattre arriving together   apparently complicit   in the Security Council chamber . “ We were within inches of failure  ” a diplomat said   adding it was a “ rare gesture ” to tempt fate and put pressure on Russia to vote . The other members assembled and voted .
making body — questions of war and peace   life and death . But when world diplomats are building towards a weighty decision   almost any diplomatic tactic seems fair game   even sleight of hand . All the envoys in endless daily meetings in the vast glass - walled tower on Turtle Bay   New York   would say they are seeking consensus . But how   then   to ensure that the Council ’ s decision reflects their own national interest ? “ It plays out on a personal level . Without trust   we ’ d get nowhere  ” a diplomat told AFP   speaking on condition of anonymity to explain the process . Within the past week   for example   the world body united to back an unlikely ceasefire in Syria ’ s endless war   but failed to agree on censuring Iran . The United States wanted to single out Tehran for its alleged interference in the Yemen conflict   but Russia stepped in and headed off the initiative . In each case   the battle lines were almost the same   with America and its allies opposing Russian and Iranian interventions in two regional wars . So why was the diplomatic outcome different ? “ In any negotiation   the key is personal relationships  ” the diplomat explained . Whatever the stark differences between the public positions of the rival member states   in the UN building diplomats work together every day . Cautious friendships and friendly rivalries develop — along with occasional feuds — and personal power plays can decide matters of state . “ In private   relationships are less tragic than they seem in public  ” another diplomat admits .  [TGT]is the only politician in a council staffed by veteran career diplomats . Last year   [TGT] pulled off an impressive diplomatic coup when [TGT] brought China and Russia on board multiple times to secure unanimous support for North Korea sanctions . But on Monday    Haley  delegated the US seat to a colleague and was in Honduras when Russia moved in to halt efforts to condemn Iran . Sometimes   a consensus is found through a savvy manipulation of procedure . Last year   China balked at a resolution to condemn its neighbor Myanmar   but allowed the chairman of the Security Council to issue a declaration or PRST . In theory a PRST ought to be no easier to agree upon than a resolution   since any one of 15 council members can object to elements of the text . But diplomats had suggested the resolution first before falling back on the PRST   allowing China to appear to have won a concession . As a diplomat recalled   it ’ s important to allow an opponent and option to “ save face .” In long negotiations on fraught subjects   like the slaughter in Syria   the winning side is often the one that keeps its cool longest . – Constant dialogue – “ You need to respect the other side when it reveals the red lines it will not cross  ” one negotiator told AFP   while another said : “ It ’ s hard on the nerves .” However the talks go before a vote   most ambassadors check with their national capitals before assenting   abstaining or imposing a veto .  Haley  has the most personal freedom to maneuver   being a member of President Donald Trump ’ s administration with cabinet rank . But  she  is also one of the more inexperienced envoys in a building that hosts constant dialogue   in corridors   conference rooms and text messages . Murmured conversations continue in the carpeted lobbies outside the Security Council chamber and even in the “ Quiet Room ” waiting area . One conference room is set aside for the veto - wielding Permanent Five : Britain   China   France   Russia and the United States . Another hosts the ten non - permanent members . When a new issue comes up for discussion   national experts meet to size up the diplomatic terrain . Then it is either the job of the “ coordinators ” from each mission to draw up the terms of the debate ; otherwise   the ambassadors or their deputies take the reins . Specific roles are handed out . One country on a rolling basis is president of the council   but each issue also has an influential “ penholder .” All members will eventually vote on each resolution   but the draft is drawn up by the penholder . So for the war in Syria   Kuwait and Sweden have taken the lead . For texts dealing with Yemen or Myanmar   Britain has an outsized role . – Pivotal role – Sometimes   if consensus proves elusive   a country can switch or augment its role . In recent discussions about Syria   for example   France has become a “ facilitator ” and China has been invited to small group meetings . Haley   who had been on a trip to Chicago   did not take part in the discussions until the last minute   diplomats say . Russian ambassador Vassily Nebenzia   meanwhile   told AFP he had thanked France ’ s Francois Delattre by text message for taking a pivotal role in the ceasefire . Finally   theatrical gestures sometimes pay off . On February 22   all 10 ambassadors from non - permanent members appeared together in front of the press to exhibit their joint concern at Russia ’ s stalling . Two days later   the world was wondering whether Russia would agree to the Syrian truce . UN television cameras suddenly jumped to Haley and Delattre arriving together   apparently complicit   in the Security Council chamber . “ We were within inches of failure  ” a diplomat said   adding it was a “ rare gesture ” to tempt fate and put pressure on Russia to vote . The other members assembled and voted .