Kazakhstan elected to U.N. Security Council, beating Thailand in a second round of voting

[webfact]

Kazakhstan elected to U.N. Security Council for 2017-18

UNITED NATIONS: -- Kazakhstan was elected to the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday, beating Thailand in a second round of voting to join Sweden, Ethiopia and Bolivia for a two-year term starting Jan. 1, 2017.

The 193-member U.N. General Assembly elected Kazakhstan with 138 votes in favor over Thailand. Countries need more than two-thirds of the vote to win a seat. A third round of voting is due to take place for the final available seat with Italy competing against The Netherlands.

Full story: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-un-securitycouncil-kazakhstan-idUSKCN0ZE27H

-- Reuters 2016-06-29

[webfact]

Sweden, Kazakhstan win contested Security Council elections
EDITH M. LEDERER, Associated Press

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Sweden and Kazakhstan won contested elections for seats on the U.N. Security Council on Tuesday, but the Netherlands and Italy were still fighting for a second open seat for the Western group of nations.

Ethiopia and Bolivia, who faced no opposition, were also elected to two-year terms on the U.N.'s most powerful body.

In the first round of voting, Sweden defeated the Netherlands and Italy. In the second round, the Netherlands got 99 votes and Italy 92 votes — both far below the two-thirds majority of 128 votes needed to win. And in the third round, Netherlands got 96 votes and Italy 94.

The second round did result in a winner for one Asian seat. Kazakhstan, which led in the first round, defeated Thailand by a vote of 138 to 55.

After the third-round results were announced, General Assembly President Mogens Lykketoft adjourned the meeting until 3 p.m. EDT (1900 GMT) when a fourth ballot between the Netherlands and Italy will take place.

The 15-member council includes five permanent members with veto power — the U.S., Russia, China, Britain and France — and 10 non-permanent members elected for two-year terms. Seats are allocated by region, and regional groups nominate candidates.

Security Council seats are highly coveted because they give countries a strong voice in matters dealing with international peace and security from conflicts in Syria to South Sudan to actions that threaten global stability such as North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile tests and attacks by extremist groups such as the Islamic State. The council must also authorize the U.N.'s far-flung peacekeeping operations.

Five countries are elected to the council every year.

In Tuesday's election for two seats allocated to the Western regional group, a two-thirds majority of 128 was needed. Sweden got 134 votes, the Netherlands 125 and Italy 113. For the Asian seat, Kazakhstan got 113 votes and Thailand received 77 — well below the two-thirds needed.

Last month, the five countries in contested races for council seats participated in the first-ever election debates in the U.N.'s 70-year history, organized by the World Federation of United Nations Associations.

Those debates were part of a new effort to bring greater transparency to the United Nations, started by the General Assembly which for the first time this year has held open question-and-answer sessions with the 11 candidates seeking to succeed Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. His second five-year term ends on Dec. 31.

-- (c) Associated Press 2016-06-29

[Somtamnication]

So Prayut will invoke article 44 on the UN?

[HiSoLowSoNoSo]

A very good decision by the UN delegates.

[streetsweeper]

The rest of the world simply has a poor understanding of Thailand's institutional strengths, it's true care-giving attitudes and policies towards it's own people; it's tourists and those that are hired from across the neighbouring borders.

How in the wold is Thailand going to be able save face or even have face in the ASEAN group now?

These are exactly the problems created when the truth gets out via the free press.

Shame on the elites and junta for allowing the world such insights and negative exposure.

To think that the junta was not considered favourable to sit on one of the Security Council seats!

As per the article, these seats "are highly coveted because they give countries a strong voice in matters dealing with international peace and security from conflicts in Syria to South Sudan to actions that threaten global stability such as North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile tests and attacks by extremist groups such as the Islamic State. The council must also authorize the U.N.'s far-flung peacekeeping operations.

Time for a do-over and major tune-up in Thailand!

"tongue in cheek"

Edited June 28, 2016 by streetsweeper

[The stuttering parrot]

Seems the PM was right.

Mr Moon and the UN understand exactly was going on in Thailand .

Looking forward to Friday's lecture.

[Brer Fox]

Thailand could have learned from Australia's experience in obtaining admission to the UN Security Council. It is all about money.

When the previous Australian Labor government sought admission to the Council it sent out emissaries with suitcases full of money to all parts of the globe, particularly the poorest countries, to buy their "YES" vote when it came voting day. And yes you guessed it. They gained admission; no problems.

Evidently bribery did not occur to Thailand. How could that be?

[FireMedic]

I'm actually really surprised they thought this was going their way. Thainess dictates that you only bid or compete on things you know are going your way.....the lose of face of losing something like that is too great. Oh well. Maybe next time.

[saakura]

Brer Fox above is correct. My understanding also that these votes are bought from the poorest countries. The most prolific buyers are USA and China. Most of the money is laundered to the leaders of these poor or corrupt countries through NGO's.

[gandalf12]

They should never have tried to get a seat on the Security Council. Everyone knows a country that does not have a democratically elected government will in truth not even be considered. If they were considered it would be giving legitimacy to non-elected governments around the world and that would be totally opposite to the UN way of working

[Srikcir]

The scary thing about the vote on Thailand is that it got 55 countries to vote for it.

[jerojero]

As if current Thailand leadership has the political and international experience to fill an high level UN role. Fools to think they had a chance.

[Srikcir]

Thailand could have learned from Australia's experience in obtaining admission to the UN Security Council. It is all about money.

When the previous Australian Labor government sought admission to the Council it sent out emissaries with suitcases full of money to all parts of the globe, particularly the poorest countries, to buy their "YES" vote when it came voting day. And yes you guessed it. They gained admission; no problems.

Evidently bribery did not occur to Thailand. How could that be?

Here is clear evidence of attempted bribery for Security Council seat votes! https://www.buzzfeed.com/hayesbrown/election-gifts-security-council?utm_term=.pbzwqQAAD#.flD85BOO4

[klauskunkel]

From UN website:

Under the Charter, the Security Council has primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. It has 15 Members, and each Member has one vote. Under the Charter, all Member States are obligated to comply with Council decisions.

The Security Council takes the lead in determining the existence of a threat to the peace or act of aggression. It calls upon the parties to a dispute to settle it by peaceful means and recommends methods of adjustment or terms of settlement. In some cases, the Security Council can resort to imposing sanctions or even authorize the use of force to maintain or restore international peace and security.

The Security Council also recommends to the General Assembly the appointment of the Secretary-General and the admission of new Members to the United Nations. And, together with the General Assembly, it elects the judges of the International Court of Justice

No wonder everybody and their dog want to be on that council. And Prayuth must have been ogling that last sentence especially.

[Lars]

Hey saakura. The US and China are among the five permanent members of the UNSC.

[spidermike007]

The little man must be quite upset and disappointed. And probably quite confused. Why would they not be honored to have us on the council? What have we done wrong? Just another example of the big guys picking on the small guys. I am sure his mind is stirring with all of the diabolical plans against his noble nation, and it's virtuous leaders.

[KMartinHandyman]

It wasn't even close. Spinning that is gonna be a whopper of a tale.

[tuanku]

Borat beats Prayuth

[MobileContent]

Why on earth does this UN stories keep coming in the news with Thailand wanted a seat. Last year it was the UN Human Rights Commission where Thailand wanted a seat and this year its the UNSC. Kazakhstan surely is also not a very democratic country but I am sure that the Western countries and CIS countries backed Kazakhstan against Thailand. Thailand mostly got ASEAN, Asian and some African countries.

If I were Thailand aka the General I just would keep a low profile at the UN.

[nahkit]

Hey saakura. The US and China are among the five permanent members of the UNSC.

I think what saakura is implying is that the US and China try to influence the selection of new members.

[lonewolf99]

"Everyone knows a country that does not have a democratically elected government will in truth not even be considered."

Kazakhstan !!! Voting is compulsory and there is only one box you can put an X in for over 26 years...!!!

Italy....on the securty council...the birth place of the Mafia.... Give me a break

[Swiss1960]

Seems the PM was right.

Mr Moon and the UN understand exactly was going on in Thailand .

Looking forward to Friday's lecture.

They should never have tried to get a seat on the Security Council. Everyone knows a country that does not have a democratically elected government will in truth not even be considered. If they were considered it would be giving legitimacy to non-elected governments around the world and that would be totally opposite to the UN way of working

Oh really ????

So that is why Kazakhstan was elected ????

Quote from Wiki: "Human Rights Watch says that "Kazakhstan heavily restricts freedom of assembly, speech, and religion"

And their leader: "The current President, Nursultan Nazarbayev, has been leader of the country since then, and is characterized as authoritarian, with a government history of human rights abuses and suppression of political opposition"

Great choice by the UN...

[toybits]

But, but, but ... TAKSIN!!!

These farang JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND!

They need Attitude Adjustment!

Kazakhstan greatest country in the world

all other countries are run by little girls.

Kazakhstan number one exporter of potassium!

All Other countries inferior potassium.

Edited June 29, 2016 by toybits

[MZurf]

The little cantankerous one stated that a seat at the Security Council would confirm that the world understood what was going on in Thailand. I wonder what their crushing defeat told him?

Rhetorical question, of course. Nothing will divert the "PM" in his quest to turn the clock back to a "better" time, when the peasants knew their place.

Oh how I would have loved to be a fly on the wall when he got the news . Gotta fell sorry for the guy who's task it is to brief him every morning!

[than]

A very good decision by the UN delegates.

Kazakhstan are the worst country about human right

Thailand is an angel in comparison with Kazakhstan.....

[Hawk]

The point is that Thailand has an illegal government, it took power by the use of force and now that illegal government is quashing all dissent, restricting freedom of speech and illegally detaining anyone it sees as the enemy. Basically the country is now run by criminals who are hell-bent on staying in power.

So the UN quite justifiably voted against Thailand because the government has had plenty of warnings but have simply ignored them, in many cases cursing the messengers for their lack of understanding of Thainess.

[Morch]

Thailand could have learned from Australia's experience in obtaining admission to the UN Security Council. It is all about money.

When the previous Australian Labor government sought admission to the Council it sent out emissaries with suitcases full of money to all parts of the globe, particularly the poorest countries, to buy their "YES" vote when it came voting day. And yes you guessed it. They gained admission; no problems.

Evidently bribery did not occur to Thailand. How could that be?

Credible source for the above?

[amdy2206]

What else could you expect. Human rights - gone. Military government, censorship, slavery, illegal detentions etc. And when a former Russian state beats Thailand on these basic human rights, something is drastically wrong with the country. In everyones eyes except the Elite - always profiting - and the army/government.

[lungmi]

Little UK England will lose his place at the UN Security Council, then no more member of G7, G10 enough. But new Center of off-shore business.

No English team in the Champions League. The freedom to be English, to be proud misused by Brexit gangsters and their lemmings.

Self-castration is not a reason to be proud, sovereign, independent. The basic power is missing now.

[Prbkk]

You should know you are 'on the nose' when beaten by one of the STANs.