On the “UN tribute”:

Mass boycott leads to awkward silence at UN Kim tribute
December 24, 2011

NEW YORK: The United States, Japan, South Korea and most leading European countries have boycotted a minute’s silence at the United Nations General Assembly for North Korea’s late leader, Kim Jong-il.

Australia’s representative was in the General Assembly during the tribute.

The tribute, demanded by North Korea, was the highest-profile international move yet sought by the government in Pyongyang in its quest for global recognition for the hardline leader, who died last Saturday at the age of 69.

The awkward silence was a ”protocol” move following a North Korean request, according to the UN General Assembly president, Nassir Abdulaziz al-Nasser.

But many diplomats from countries that took part in the protest called the tribute inappropriate. They said the Security Council turned down North Korea’s demand for a gesture to Mr Kim.

North Korea’s UN ambassador, Sin Son Ho, and another diplomat from the North Korean mission stood with their heads bowed during the silence. Barely a third of the General Assembly’s 193 members were present.

Britain, France, Germany and most members of the 27-nation European Union joined the protest…