THE UN: Mexico's UN ambassador, recalled for anti-American comments, did not leave quietly yesterday, announcing to the UN Security Council and reporters he would resign his post a month early.
Ambassador Adolfo Aguilar Zinser told a formal council meeting it was his last session, after which UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan praised him for his "independent role".
Minutes earlier, Mr Aguilar Zinser had told reporters it was impossible for him to stay in his post until January 1st, as the government wanted, after President Vicente Fox chastised him for saying the US regarded Mexico as a second-class country. "Today I will present my resignation as ambassador of the United Nations," he said. Mexico's foreign ministry confirmed the resignation.
The controversy began last week when Mr Aguilar Zinser told university students in Mexico City that Washington wanted a "relationship of convenience and subordination" with Mexico. "It sees us as a backyard," the ambassador said.
His remarks immediately drew a rebuttal from President Fox, US Secretary of State Mr Colin Powell and Mexican Foreign Minister Mr Luis Ernesto Derbez. Some envoys said Washington had pressed for his dismissal but US officials denied it as did President Fox, who said on Wednesday that the Mexican people were offended by the comments.
Mexico was serving a two-year term on the Security Council, which ends on December 31st. But Mr Aguilar Zinser said that after the president's comments, he could no longer remain in his post until the end of the year.
The ambassador, a Havard-educated academic, said he would tell all "but not here and not now". He plans to stay in New York, to write and perhaps teach.
While many Mexican politicians share his sentiments, few diplomats do so publicly. - (Reuters)