US Calls for Ban on Drunk Diplomats at UN Meetings

The United States has called for drunk diplomats to be barred from United Nations meetings, proposing that negotiation rooms “should in future be an inebriation-free zone”.

Speaking at the UN General Assembly’s budget committee, also known as the Fifth Committee, U.S. ambassador for management and reform at the United Nations, Joseph Torsella on Monday censured his colleagues for excessive drinking during delicate budget meetings and debates which often turn into heated marathon sessions that run into the early hours of the morning.

The United States has called for drunk diplomats to be barred from United Nations meetings, proposing that negotiation rooms “should in future be an inebriation-free zone”.

Speaking at the UN General Assembly’s budget committee, also known as the Fifth Committee, U.S. ambassador for management and reform at the United Nations, Joseph Torsella on Monday censured his colleagues for excessive drinking during delicate budget meetings and debates which often turn into heated marathon sessions that run into the early hours of the morning.

In some instances drinking is an integral part of the negotiations – a social lubricant offered up to often an adversary’s negotiating position, “but we’re not talking about having a nip at the bar,” Torsella said, adding that the delegates getting drunk most frequently are those representing developing countries known as the Group of 77.

“As for the conduct of negotiations, we make the modest proposal that the negotiation rooms should in future be an inebriation-free zone,” he said. “While my government is truly grateful for the strategic opportunities presented by some recent practices, let’s save the champagne for toasting the successful end of the session, and do some credit to the Fifth Committee’s reputation in the process.”

Diplomats who have participated in UN budget negotiations said it is not unusual to see delegates showing visible signs of having imbibed heavily.

Some envoys have turned up for talks “falling down drunk,” said one diplomat who spoke to the AFP on condition of anonymity. “On one occasion the note-taker who was meant to be recording the talks was so intoxicated he had to be replaced,” said another.

But the comments have caused some controversy. “It is absolutely not the case that everyone at the talks is drunk. All the people doing the negotiating are sober,” said a third diplomat.

Torsella also called for more discipline from the United Nations’ 193 member states when discussing budgetary issues which are often divisive for developed and developing nations.

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The UN budget is traditionally approved by consensus, which allows richer countries a veto over budgets. The Group of 77, on the other hand, prefers to vote by majority, a process the group used to its advantage in December.

Denouncing the shift, Torsella defined the notion of consensus as the absence of objection, which he said is the best way to ensure the interests of all parties are met. “This assurance has long been and remains fundamental in securing the confidence of major financial contributors such as the United States in the work of the organisation,” he said.

At the same time, he urged delegations against UN procedural games, such as blocking accords by failing to turn up for negotiations.

“If negotiators do not arrive on time for meetings scheduled on nights and weekends, or simply refuse to meet on a specific item in order to run down the clock, we must conclude that they do not share a commitment to negotiating in good faith, and we will respond accordingly,” Torsella warned.