Austria's bid for seat on UN Security Council

Austria has applied for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council. The Austrian daily Die Presse believes that in this case it is the means to an end rather than the end itself that counts: "The inhabitants of the Alpine republic scratch their heads and ask 'What good is that to us?' Well, the Security Council is after all the United Nations' most important body. A seat at the table with the 'big powers' means having a say on matters as weighty, for example, as war or peace. And what is more, the means is the end here. Austria's diplomatic efforts in preparing its candidacy have expanded its sphere of influence and improved its contacts in the region - which otherwise tend to be neglected. Given the increasing provincialism in all spheres of life, that alone is ample reason to cross one's fingers for a decision in Austria's favour on Friday. If you can't be successful at football it would at least be nice to know that you're popular within the international community."

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