That may not be entirely bad after the bubbling up of unexpected events that preceded the G-20 Summit in Cannes. Global leaders are not certain whether to celebrate or mourn in the aftermath. The lack of earthshaking headlines is both good and presents a lost opportunity. It appears that many Eurozone leaders spent much of the time worrying about another bad surprise with all the global guests in house. It is ironic but perhaps reassuring if the best news for the G-20 came from Athens – which has backed away from a “referendum” on the future of the “bailout” and perhaps Eurozone future. The most substantive action was taken by new ECB head Mario Draghi, who did pop the cork in reversing the tendencies of his predecessor by lowering the Bank’s key rate by 0.25%. (READ – “It’s a New Eurozone at G-20” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/its-a-new-eurozone-at-g-20-by-ambassador-mo/39498 What Did not Happen: Although perhaps more difficult to recognize in the forest of hyped up post Summit communiqué’s, more did not happen than did:  China did not commit to the Eurozone bailout the EFSF (or European Financial Stability Fund) -nor did most other G-20 participants like IMF ;  This leaves Eurozone still burping bad aftertaste of last half year of sovereign debt crisis and economic malaise;  No big boost for President Barak Obama or his “jobs plan” in any broad endorsement from political leaders to stimulus;  Little was said and even less substantive measures undertaken to muzzle the continuing bite of food (and energy) prices upon the poor, as the United Nations institutions had sought, (READ – “Food Price Risks on G-20 Agenda?” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/food-price-risks-on-g-20-agenda-by-ambassador-mo/39134), – think there is too much confidence in recent data of food price index decline over last couple of months. (READ – “Food Price Index Drops to 11 Month Low – October 2011” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/food-price-index-drops-to-11-month-low-in-october-uns-fao-money-flash-by-ambassador-mo/39670 ).  There appears little resolution on pressing political issues including how to move Middle East peace forward, Palestinian Admission to the UN and continuing Syrian regime crackdown/brutality and will UN Security Council have role after Arab League plan has been thrown aside even before it could start to be implemented.  Don’t recall any mention of the environment and the continuing ravages of climate change in any major news conference – formal written communiqués do not count as they throw in things in there including the kitchen sink. (READ – “Saving Oceans: 10 Concrete Measures” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/saving-oceans-10-concrete-measures-by-ambassador-mo/39921 ).  There was little discussions regarding a more progressive jobs program – most of the political leaders were more preoccupied about keeping their own job. (READ-“Guaranteeing Health Benefits & Employment_ - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/guaranteeing-minimum-health-benefits-employmentincome-money-flash-by-ambassador-mo/38385 & “Youth Jobs Crisis - from UN’s International Labor Organization” - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/blog_post/youth-job-crisis-un-report-by-ambassador-mo/36721 ). France as Global Power: France’s President Nicolas Sarkozy perhaps had look for the Cannes G-20 Summit to herald resurgence of French global influence, especially after the success in Libya. However, it at times looked more like impotence of a once powerful, dominant personality. If anyone looked the role of master of the house, it was German Chancellor Merkel, but mostly because she held the checkbook – and actually had some money in the account. Italy’s Berlusconi was largely ignored as the walking dead – although he did agree to IMF supervision over his economy. The rising interest rates were more indicative of falling confidence in Berlusconi’s survival as much as Italy’s economy. Undoubtedly though everyone is looking forward to the weekend and back home – it was like running in place but exhausting. See FILM REPORT - "@ the G-20" - diplomaticallyincorrect.org/films/movie/the-g-20/29058 By Ambassador Muhamed Sacirbey Facebook – Become a Fan at “Diplomatically Incorrect”

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