ONE concedes world leaders have been determined to influence the media as much as possible at the G20 meeting in Brisbane.
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I don’t think the Russian President Vladimir Putin has won many diplomatic points by acting like a schoolyard bully and assembling a convoy of warships, close to Australia, for moral support.
He has enough trouble explaining his postulating in Ukraine without setting a precedent for future G20 meetings.
One can imagine the diplomatic farce if the US, China, Britain, Japan, Germany, Canada and India joined the foray and for good measure were stalked by North Korea.
There are not too many opportunities when we can assemble world leaders other than at the United Nations. While acknowledging the G20 is an economic conference, it is a shame it couldn’t have been extended to include terrorism, Ebola and other health matters.
It should be imperative to get the co-operation of all the friendly Islamic nations like UAE, Turkey, Egypt, India and Indonesia to negate the propaganda generated by Islamic State.
On the other hand Ebola is primarily a humanitarian issue requiring money, manpower and goodwill.
One thing is certain, G20 has given journalists a field-day and they will be busy quoting world leaders for months to come.
Hopefully the positive outcomes from the summit have surpassed the cost.
— ERROL EDMONDS,
Albury