Ban's diplomatic tea parties are a big hit but with the wrong crowd.

It's been three years since Ban's tenure as UN Secretary General, along with his trademark "quiet diplomacy," began.  Iran is still tortuously killing political prisoners, Burma/Myanmar is still carrying out its genocidal campaign, North Korea is still operating its gulags.  Sri Lanka still killed thousands of civilians that got in its way.  It looks like Ban's diplomatic tactics work like a charm---for the wrong side.

 

The Washington Post reports (9/1/09):

Ban has said he is confident that his trademark "quiet diplomacy" can help nudge the most recalcitrant leaders to mend their ways. . .

 

. . .The approach, however, has recently exposed the U.N. chief to criticism that he too often remains silent in the face of atrocities by the very leaders he seeks to cultivate, and that he has exaggerated his accomplishments. His frequent contacts with unsavory leaders have contributed to the United Nations' reputation as a forum for grubby compromises, detractors say.