Iceland turns on charm for UN voters

"Icelandic Pancakes Folded with Jam of Mixed Berries and Whipped Cream" read the stylish calligraphy on a little white card atop the dessert buffet in the UN Delegates Dining Room. Iceland is locked in a tight race with Austria and Turkey for two rotating seats on the Security Council that are reserved for the mostly European bloc, and the luncheon spread last week was part of its charm offensive. The lobbying effort gained added urgency in tandem with daily headlines trumpeting Iceland's bankruptcy. Would two buffet tables groaning with delicacies exclusively from Iceland persuade any of the 192 member states that can vote this Friday that Iceland deserves their support? "Well, they have to try to convince people with pancakes, because they don't have any money left," said one European diplomat. Electric moments have become... [read full story]