October 17, 2008
Turkey obtained 151 votes from the 192-member General Assembly, one of the highest number of votes received in a three-way contest, with 80% of the votes cast in favor of Turkey. The election of Turkey to the UN Security Council represents the confidence reposed the country and her peaceful foreign policy based on dialogue and cooperation.
Mavi Boncuk |
UNITED NATIONS, Oct 17 (Reuters) – The U.N. General Assembly on Friday elected Japan, Turkey, Austria, Mexico and Uganda to seats on the powerful Security Council for 2009-10, rejecting bids by Iran and Iceland.
As expected, heavyweight Japan defeated Iran, which is under Security Council sanctions because of its nuclear program, for an Asian seat coming vacant on Jan. 1. Japan got 158 votes from the 192-member assembly and Iran only 32.
In a three-way contest for two European seats, Iceland — an apparent victim of its grave financial crisis — scored 87 votes, well short of the two-thirds majority required. Turkey went through easily and Austria by a narrower margin.The election of Mexico and Uganda had been virtually assured since they were unopposed in their regional groupings.The General Assembly votes once a year for five of the 10 nonpermanent seats on the 15-nation council, the powerhouse of the United Nations with the ability to impose sanctions and dispatch peacekeepers.
The permanent members, which have veto power, are the United States, Russia, Britain, France and China, considered the victors of World War Two.
Labels: politics
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