British Philatelic Bulletin, July 2009

I received my copy of the Bulletin on June 29th, thereby breaking the existing record [of quick delivery] of the last day of the month from about two years ago.

I am writing not about GB stamps, but about a short article within the magazine concerning the UPU congress. The latest congress [held every 4 years] has just taken place in Geneva,Switzerland. A very neutral venue. But now it has been announced that the next Congress in 2012 will be held in Qatar !

Can this be regarded as a neutral venue ?

Will all 191 member states be allowed to participate freely and without problems ?

I don't think so.

How can an organization such as the UPU be so blind as to make such a crass decision as this. Can they see into the future, whilst the worlds politicians cannot? Do they know something we don't? Do they not read the news at the UPU headquarters? Or maybe Switzerland are not as neutral as we are led to believe. Were they pressured into this by other groups or events ? Or maybe they think Israel will not be a member of the UPU by 2012 !! Or maybe they think Israel will not exist by then !!

Whatever, the decision sucks and brings into question the legitimacy of it. But here is the stark truth.

If Israel were the hosts of the UPU congress, they would allow all-comers to participate. But some nations would refuse to participate because it is being held in Israel. That would be their problem. I can however, envisage the delegation from Israel being refused a visa because they are Jews. I might be wrong, but if recent sporting events are anything to go by then I think there may be problems ahead.

I have written to the Israel Post and to the UPU headquarters. I am not alone in my query but I had to have my say to both parties.

We have not heard the last of this.

Londonbus1......Or the last of me !!