The U.S. State Department denounced yesterday the selection of Cuba and Zimbabwe for a panel that will set the agenda for a meeting of the UN Human Rights Commission next month.
Besides Cuba and Zimbabwe, the other members of the working group are Hungary, the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia.
The State Department offered no criticism of the selection of Saudi Arabia, an authoritarian monarchy. Officials note, however, that a reform movement is under way in the country, highlighted by a municipal election set for this week, although women cannot stand for office or vote.
No criticism of Saudi Arabia, one of the most repressive regimes around. I know the reason there was no criticism though. You don't want to bite the hand that feeds you. It's still hypocrisy though and wrong.
Hypocrisy is the most difficult and nerve-racking vice that any man can pursue; it needs an unceasing vigilance and a rare detachment of spirit. It cannot, like adultery or gluttony, be practised at spare moments; it is a whole-time job. W. Somerset Maugham
I was in the Philippines during Ferdinand Marcos' reign; his government was amazingly corrupt - not that it mattered to the U.S. as long as we could keep our bases there.