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AROUND THE WORLD

ballot box success into real power. move which saw Austria briefly approved tough new sanctions
Last year, it came close to winning the ostracised within the European Union. against North Korea in response to
largely ceremonial presidency. This time though, the reaction is likely its latest launch of a ballistic missile
The last time the Freedom Party to be much more muted with the that Pyongyang says is capable of
entered government was in 2000 under Freedom Party seen as having reaching anywhere on the US
Joerg Haider, its controversial leader mellowed and with Europe more inured mainland. The resolution adopted by
at the time who has since died, in a to right-wing parties. the council includes sharply lower
limits on North Korea’s refined oil
UN imports, the return home of all North
Koreans working overseas within 24
UN denounces US recognition of months, and a crackdown on ships
smuggling banned items including
Jerusalem as Israeli capital coal and oil to and from the country.
But the resolution doesn’t include
The UN General Assembly voted countries warning that Washington even harsher measures sought by the
overwhelmingly on 21 December 2017 would be taking names of those who Trump administration that would ban
to denounce President Donald voted against the US Trump went all oil imports and freeze international
Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as further, threatening a funding cutoff. assets of the government and its
Israel’s capital, largely ignoring India votes against US leader, Kim Jong Un. The resolution,
Trump’s threats to cut off aid to any The NDA government stuck to New drafted by the United States and
country that went against him. The Delhi’s principled position on negotiated with the North’s closest
non-binding resolution declaring US Palestine followed over the last seven ally China, drew criticism from Russia
action on Jerusalem “null and void” decades, including by the UPA, as it for the short time the 13 other council
was approved 128-9 — a victory for voted in favour of a resolution at the nations had to consider the draft, and
the Palestinians, but not as big as they United Nations General Assembly last-minute changes to the text. Two
predicted. Amid Washington’s threats, which opposed and rejected US of those changes were extending the
35 of the 193 UN member nations President Donald Trump’s decision to deadline for North Korean workers to
abstained and 21 were absent. recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. return home from 12 months to 24 months
The resolution reaffirmed what has New Delhi’s “yes” vote comes — which Russia said was the minimum
been the United Nations’ stand on the even as the NDA government’s needed — and reducing the number of
divided holy city since 1967: that proximity to Israel and the US has North Koreans being put on the UN
Jerusalem’s final status must be grown. sanctions blacklist from 19 to 15.
decided in direct negotiations between While New Delhi has, as a norm, UN Secretary-General Antonio
Israel and the Palestinians. The Trump always voted in favour of Palestine at Guterres also called for a political
administration made it clear the vote the UN, India had in July 2015 solution, “which requires de-
would have no effect on its plan to abstained from a vote against Israel at escalation and open communication
move the American Embassy from Tel the UN Human Rights Council in channels now.” US Ambassador Nikki
Aviv to Jerusalem. And Israeli Prime Geneva — this was seen as a subtle Haley recalled that the previous
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said shift in India’s policy towards the sanctions resolution approved in
afterward that he completely rejects Israeli-Palestinian issue. September, when combined with earlier
the “preposterous” resolution. After Trump’s announcement on measures, would ban over 90 percent of
Palestinian Ambassador Riyad December 6, New Delhi had said that North Korea’s exports reported in 2016.
Mansour called the vote a victory not “India’s position on Palestine is That resolution, adopted in
only for the Palestinians but for the independent and consistent. It is response to North Korea’s sixth and
United Nations and international law, shaped by India’s views and interests, strongest nuclear test explosion on
saying US Ambassador Nikki Haley and not determined by any third September 3, banned North Korea
“failed miserably” in persuading only country.” This was perceived as from importing all natural gas liquids
seven countries aside from the US and “lacking condemnation” against and condensates. It also banned all
Israel to vote against the resolution. Trump’s move by Arab envoys. textile exports and prohibited any
The United States and Israel had UN Security Council imposes new country from authorizing new work
waged an intensive lobbying sanctions on North Korea permits for North Korean workers—
campaign against the measure, with The UN Security Council, on 22 two key sources of hard currency for
Haley sending letters to over 180 December 2017, unanimously the northeast Asian nation.

50 Competition Wizard March 2018