John J. Metzler

UNITED NATIONS — Recent elections for the new non-permanent members of the UN Security Council went off with a predictable yawn. Countries representing regional groups gained the coveted two year rotating membership without opposition and basically by acclimation. A secret ballot was set; vote for one out of one.

So when the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia won a coveted seat for the Asian group, there was polite applause, wry smiles, and then later political shock and awe when the Saudi’s rejected the seat and renounced the Council’s role in the Syrian war.

The Saudi sidestep was as shocking as it was totally unprecedented, especially from one of the UN’s founding members.

It’s one of the ultimate achievements in international diplomatic circles, getting your country elected to a two year stint on the powerful decision making Security Council. Countries lobby, cajole and charm to gain membership on the fifteen member Council so that they may showcase both their own international standing as well as try to steer events in their favor.

The Saudis have been major benefactors to the Syrian rebels of many stripes. From the prism of Riyadh’s arcane policies, neither the Security Council nor the United States are doing enough to topple the Assad regime or solve the perpetual Palestinian question.

Equally the Saudis are nervous about the Obama administration’s cool stance to Egypt’s secular military rulers as well as Washington’s possible thaw in relations with arch- enemy Iran. The Saudis now view the U.S. as a less reliable ally.

Saudi diplomacy is reclusive by nature and reflects the arcane machinations of the Kingdom’s own decision making as well as the frustrated political pique of not being able to control the Middle East game board as in the past. Also the move reflects domestic fissures in the Kingdom especially among a restive and educated younger generation.

Yet, the Saudis doth protested too much.

But why then lobby for a Council seat only to almost peevishly reject it?

Some argue that the plan was to allow another “brother Arab state” a chance to get back to the Council. Qatar a recent member is possible, but Kuwait is more probable.

What of the other non-Permanent Council members just elected? For the African group Chad and Nigeria shall be replacing the Kingdom of Morocco and Togo for the two year tenure. Chad, a country with serious human rights problems, and Nigeria, oil rich but with massive income inequality, represent French and English speaking Africa respectively.

Chile replaces Guatemala for the Latin American group. This is a positive gain as Chile is both a working democracy and a relatively prosperous land. Her diplomacy is first rate.
Good news too from Europe. Lithuania replaces Azerbaijan for the two year tenure.

A member of both the European Union and NATO, Lithuania is an ex-Soviet state which cherishes freedom and is a strong proponent of human rights. Lithuania only regained its sovereignty from the Soviets back in 1991. This is an especially big year for the Vilnius government, as Lithuania is also President of the European Union for a six month stint.

Turning to the Asian group, Saudi Arabia was slated to replace Pakistan for the Council seat.

The new members will serve alongside the powerful veto-wielding Permanent Five: China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States. The Council is responsible for the maintenance of peace and security.

Looking at the new class starting their membership in January 2014, we may ask how does this help or hinder U.S. diplomacy at the UN? Chad to Togo, no move.

Nigeria from Morocco; good but not to forget the Kingdom of Morocco is one of America’s oldest allies dating from 1786 and thus closer. From Guatemala to Chile, good to likely better. Azerbaijan to Lithuania poses a very positive gain.

Now we return to mysterious Saudi Arabia. Some diplomats claim that the Saudi’s may yet do a diplomatic turnaround and accept the seat after all. If not, another country, likely an Arab state will get the nod to run in the very near future.

But is there something amiss in Riyadh?

John J. Metzler is a U.N. correspondent covering diplomatic and defense issues. He writes weekly for WorldTribune.com. He is the author of Transatlantic Divide ; USA/Euroland Rift (University Press, 2010).

  Diplomatic shock and awe: Saudis snub UN Security Council seat, permanent UN Security Council members, Riyadh