US calls on UN to bar drunken diplomats
March 05, 2013 08:47
The United States has called for drunk diplomats to be barred from United Nations' budget negotiations.
Annual talks on how much the global body spends have become increasingly tense as western nations call for spending cuts.
"We make the modest proposal that the negotiating rooms should in future be an inebriation-free zone," Joseph Torsella, deputy US ambassador for management and reform, told the UN General Assembly's budget committee.
The assembly's budget body, the Fifth Committee, holds marathon negotiations in December each year on spending and national contributions.
These often last all night for several days in a row so that a vote can be held before the end of year holidays.
The United States is not calling for a ban on alcohol just on drunks, US officials said.
Some envoys have turned up for talks "falling down drunk," said one diplomat, speaking 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. Both spoke on condition of anonymity.
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