Falling flat

Just under a year ago it was the source of great excitement: After considerable campaigning, Germany won a non-permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council.

And yet, since taking up its spot on the world's most powerful panel at the beginning of 2011, Germany has not increased its international standing. On the contrary.

A glance at the list of speakers at this year's General Assembly makes Germany's descent clear. German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle's hit in German state elections this year cost him his title as the country's vice chancellor, which in turn has taken a toll on his international standing; he was the last representative of the non-permanent Council member states to speak at the assembly -following Bosnia-Herzegovina, South Africa, Colombia, India and Portugal.

Germany has found itself marginalized on the Security Council since March, when it abstained from the body's vote to impose a no-fly zone over Libya. The vote was Germany's baptism by fire, and Germany came out singed. In abstaining, Berlin sided with China and Russia - rather than supporting the United States, France and, most importantly, the rebel fighters in Libya.

On Monday, during his address to the General Assembly, Westerwelle accorded Libya little more than one sentence, saying Germany would offer its support "for a new beginning in Libya after the dictator's fall."

The week before, Westerwelle left the New York meeting of the Libyan Contact Group early, choosing to turn in his speech for the meeting's log rather than delivering it. Instead of demonstrating Germany's confidence, it appeared Westerwelle was trying to sweep Germany's lack of participation in Libya under the rug.

Efficient, but lackluster

Germany does deserve credit for its efficient work on the Security Council when it comes to other topics: South Sudan's application for membership was processed in record time; another resolution to strengthen child protection in conflict zones was also passed.

Over the past week, Westerwelle kept a full schedule. The foreign minister, who spent an entire week in New York, presented the UN's new logo for human rights. He also met with his international counterparts and attended conferences and events on topics that included economic progress in Afghanistan. Yet when it comes to the Middle East - an area where Germany has traditionally outshined other countries diplomatically - Westerwelle remains lackluster.

He did dedicate a large portion of his speech on Monday to the Middle East conflict. Yet his statement can be quickly boiled down to this: Both sides have the right to exist. Peace is possible if they keep to the timeline drawn up by the Middle East Peace Quartet.

Westerwelle did not say how Germany would vote on the Palestinian's bid for statehood. Could it mean another abstention from the Germans? That's just no way to impact world history.

The value of Germany's virtues is undisputed, but sometimes more is required than diligence, tidiness and punctuality.

Author: Christina Bergmann / dl

Editor: Nancy Isenson