Punch-up at the U.N.

[Matilda]

By Alan Sternberg in the International Herald Tribune:

"GENEVA - Katie, one of my colleagues at the United Nations, threw
open the office door and shrieked "The Cuban diplomat just slugged
the American diplomat! Outside the meeting!"

I had never seen her looking so happy. (Well, maybe when her first
child was born.) She pranced between our desks yelling "Bam!
Kapow!" and throwing phantom punches.

Having spent 12 years sitting in on UN meetings as a press officer,
I understood that Katie was reporting something very unusual.
Staring at a bucket of sand for six hours is generally a lot more
interesting than anything that happens at the standard U.N. meeting.

If the news shot around the building like electricity, and if other
people could be seen shadowboxing up and down the hallways, it was
because this was the first time anyone could remember a UN diplomat
actually doing something. "Even when they talk they don't say
anything," it was pointed out.

http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0428-06.htm

What a hoot - but also symbolic of the general alienation of the
U.S. under Bush. I have a feeling that many diplomats will be
privately cheering the Cuban.

[UTUSN]

1. So Who the Heck Got Punched - NEGROPONTE (I Hope)? n/t

[ShaneGR]

2. No

Just some career diplomat, you do realize there are probably about 50 UN diplomats working in about 5 different locations. Negropante was just the chief, until they sent him off to Iraq.