put in blue

v. in the United Nations, to settle on the draft of a resolution before it is presented for a vote. Subjects: English, Politics, Jargon

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Citations: 1996 Colin Keating Global Policy Forum (June 5) “Statement to the General Assembly Working Group on the Security Council”: We think there is an opportunity to utilise modern technology with email and fax to advise all member states of the UN, at a designated point of contact, when texts of resolutions are put in “blue.” 1997 Patrick Connole @ New York City (Reuters) (Sept. 11) “U.S. envoy to UN says Iraq vote likely Friday”: We are very close to an agreement on the Iraq resolution. A draft resolution is being put in blue for a probable vote by the Security Council tomorrow. 2002 Philip T. Reeker @ New York City US Dept. of State (Oct. 28) “Briefing for New York Foreign Media”: Question: “Is there any indication that if the discussions within the whole Security Council now won’t bear fruit, that the United States might be willing to force a vote to sort of change that text of the resolution to what I believe they call in the United Nations the blue text, printing it on blue paper, and thereby forcing a vote?”…Mr. Reeker: “…We continue to work, as you said, from the US-UK-sponsored resolution, which was put in blue, as your colleague mentioned. And I still haven’t quite figured that out. It is because it’s on blue paper or—” Question: “On blue paper (inaudible).” Mr. Reeker: “Blue paper. Anyway, the text was set down and it’s an operating text that you’ve all seen and has been distributed.” 2004 Xinhuanet (China) (June 8) “US makes new changes to UN draft on Iraq” (in United Nations): U.S. Ambassador to the UN John Negroponte told reporters that the new draft, the second in one day, would be put “in blue” Monday night, a UN parlance which means it would be ready for a vote.

Posted 27 Aug 04 | Permalink | Tell a Friend