Wikileaks: The Arab Master

[Holac]

The Saudi Cables: Saudi delegate says “ignore your government, take our orders” to Somali delegate

 

Your cable number 52995/1/5/6 dated 20/2/1434H (2/01/2013) regarding Somalia’s position on the vote on the humanitarian situation in Syria, and the reason for the change in their vote from being in favour of the motion to abstaining from voting. His Excellency the delegate wishes to point out that he noticed this change (of voting) and that he approached the Somali delegate to ask him about it. The delegate (Somali) stated that during the time of the vote, the government was being formed in Somalia (cabinet being chosen). He stated that he asked for the capital’s permission to vote for the resolution, namely the foreign minister, but that he didn’t hear back from them until the vote was over. As such, he was forced to abstain for fear of his decision being contrary to what the new government wanted.

 

His Excellency the delegate made it very clear to the Somali delegate that this excuse was not satisfactory and that priority should have been given to voting in favour of the motion as he had done in the third committee, and during last year’s vote. He also made it clear to him that this decision was supported by the Arab league (voted in 2011). The Somali delegate apologized and he promised to vote in line with what the Saudi delegate wanted going forward.

 

As such, the delegation recommends supporting Somalia, so that in the future, we have the necessary “arguments” to ensure Somalia adherence to positions that fit in with the Saudi position.

 

[ElPunto]

 

The delegate (Somali) stated that during the time of the vote, the government was being formed in Somalia (cabinet being chosen). He stated that he asked for the capital’s permission to vote for the resolution, namely the foreign minister, but that he didn’t hear back from them until the vote was over. As such, he was forced to abstain for fear of his decision being contrary to what the new government wanted.

 

Boy - I'm surprised by this delegate's professionalism. I wasn't expecting that he would take his job as seriously as that given the rampant dysfunction and incompetence. Kudos to him.