Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Baptism by fire!

November 23, 2016
by Kristen Welker and Richie Duchon 

...South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (click here) has accepted Donald Trump's offer to be his ambassador to the United Nations. In a statement Wednesday morning, Haley said "I always expected to finish the remaining two years of my second term as governor," but added she was "moved to accept this new assignment" out of a "sense of duty."

"When the President believes you have a major contribution to make to the welfare of our nation, and to our nation's standing in the world, that is a calling that is important to heed," Haley said, adding that she "remain as governor until the U.S. Senate acts affirmatively on my nomination."... 

Congratulations to Governor Haley. It is a daunting challenge to temper the movement of war into diplomacy that works.

Every Governor in the USA have some foreign affairs exposure, but, it usually revolves around the state's economy.  Governor Haley had strong words regarding the Trump campaign and the depersonalizing of Mexicans and Muslims through statements of hate. She is not a likely person to reverse her values and morality to pander to an unpopular president in more than the majority of voters in the USA.

I like Governor Haley and have no doubt she will apply her expertise to her new title of Ambassador to the United Nations. I am confident she will be welcomed to demonstrate her diplomatic skills among a global population of Ambassador.

The world is a bit tentative in it's stability in several regions of the world. She will have to build relationships with ambassadors from Iran, Russia, Syria, Japan, South Korea and many African countries with troubling issues.

North Korea's Ambassador to the United Nations is Sin Son-ho. The North Korean mission recently experienced a shake up when it's second ranking diplomat in Great Britain defected to South Korea.

18 August 2016
By AFT and Ted Thornhill 

The North Korean diplomat who defected to South Korea has said that he was 'sick and tired' of Kim Jong-un's rule and worried about paying London's Congestion Charge.... 

...'When I drive out from my embassy I have to think (click here) - what about congestion charges?' he said.
A privileged background and powerful connections with the ruling elite back in Pyongyang appear to have provided the springboard for Thae's successful defection to South Korea, analysts said Thursday. 
'The embassy in London is reserved only for some of the foreign ministry's top officials,' said Victor Cha, director of Asian studies for the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington....

This defection is not as surprising as it may appear. Thae Yong-Ho has a very long history of North Korean diplomacy in his family. We have witnessed some very alarming deaths under the new dictator, Kim Jong-un. I am sure he will find welcome in South Korea and while he is the highest ranking Ambassador to defect from North Korea, it is not surprising he came to that decision. 

The Congestion Charge is an £11.50 daily charge for driving a vehicle within the charging zone between 07:00 and 18:00, Monday to Friday. The easiest way to pay the charge is by registering for Congestion Charge Auto Pay. There are a range of exemptions and discounts available to certain vehicles and individuals.

The Charge is a necessary deterrent to grid lock in London.