Krishna''s faux pas at UNSC -- reads out Portugal FM''s speech

Betwa Sharma

United Nations, Feb 12 (PTI) External Affairs Ministerwas caught in a public gaffe when he inadvertently read outthe speech of the Portuguese Minister at a UN Security Councilmeeting here but rectified the error after an Indian officialdrew his attention.

Speaking at the United Nations Security Council at adebate on security and development yesterday, Krishna read outthe wrong speech for about three minutes before beingcorrected by India''s envoy to the UN Hardeep Singh Puri.

Krishna read Portuguese Foreign Minister Luis Amado''sspeech, without realising his mistake, apparently because thefirst portion related to general issues pertaining to the UN,development and security.

But a few lines did go out of place.

"On a more personal note, allow me to express myprofound satisfaction regarding the happy coincidence ofhaving two members of the Portuguese Speaking Countries(CPLP), Brazil and Portugal, together here today," was one ofthem.

Krishna could have said this thinking it fit becauseBrazil holds the current presidency of the Security Council.

"The European Union is also responding in this mannerin coordination with the United Nations," he said, before Puriintervened.

"You can start again," Puri told Krishna following thefaux pas.

The Portugal Minister had already spoken before India.

Krishna is here on a two-day visit to push India''sagenda for Security Council reforms.