The US blocked the election of Sudan to the prestigious UN Security Council yesterday, helping Mauritius to win a two-year term instead along with Colombia, Ireland, Norway and Singapore.
Sudan was the candidate of the African group for an African seat on the 15-nation UN body responsible for international peace and security, beginning on January 1st, 2001.
But it was strongly opposed by Washington in a lobbying campaign that cited Khartoum's alleged involvement in terrorism and poor human rights record. Mauritius challenged Sudan and won the seat.
Italy fell by the wayside in a three-cornered race involving also Ireland and Norway for two seats reserved for countries belonging to the group called West European and Others.
Sudan has been under UN diplomatic sanctions since 1996 for failing to hand over three men wanted for a 1995 assassination attempt in Addis Ababa against Egyptian President, Mr Hosni Mubarak. However, there are good prospects that the sanctions might be lifted later this year.
Mauritius beat Sudan by a vote of 113 to 55 on the fourth ballot, when a two-thirds majority of at least 112 was required.
On the first round Mauritius obtained 95 votes to Sudan's 69. On the second round the tally was 102 to 65; and the result of the third ballot was Mauritius 110 and Sudan 58 - still short of the needed two-thirds majority.
Colombia and Singapore, which each received 168 votes on the first ballot, were the unopposed candidates, respectively, of the Latin American and Asian groups.
Ireland, campaigning on the theme that as a small, formerly colonised country, it understood the problems confronting most UN members, obtained 130 votes on the first ballot, with 114 for Norway and 94 for Italy.
Ireland previously held a Security Council seat in 1962 and in 1981-1982.
On the fourth ballot, Norway obtained 115 votes to 57 for Italy, which was last on the council in 1995-96.
Norway just secured the two-thirds majority of at least 115 votes needed for election on that round.