Two Very Different Gatherings

View from Brussels

Germany is under attack over its role in a deal between General Motors and Canadian-Russian consortium Magna-Sberbank, which is expected to cut jobs at plants in Spain, the UK and Belgium. Berlin is accused of unfairly intervening to prop up Opel, GM's European arm, by handing the car-maker a 4.5 billion euro state aid package to keep its plants in Germany open.

Magna is poised to cut up to 11,000 jobs, out of a workforce of 50,000- but only 4000 jobs are expected to go in Germany. Belgium has accused Germany of protectionism, and the European Commission says it will investigate the details of the restructuring plan. Officials insist any plant closure should be a commercial decision only.

German workers who arrived by the coach-load to protest outside Antwerp's Opel plant yesterday, told me their jobs were threatened too. They said Opel workers must stand united, and that no European factory should close. Belgian workers said, people need to understand that if the Antwerp plant shuts, it could be Germany's turn tomorrow.

When asked what the solution was, many shrugged their shoulders saying, it was true, there are too many cars on the market, and not enough customers- the only way to save jobs they said, was for the government to step in.

Nina-Maria Potts, EU correspondent.



View from the United Nations

You'll hear a lot about Barack Obama's speech to the United Nations General Assembly in the coming days - his calls for the international community to take more responsibility for global problems, his pledge that the US will do more to engage the UN and global partners, and his 4 pillars he sees as fundamental for the future (stopping the spread of nuclear weapons, the pursuit of peace, combating climate change, and strengthening the global economy).

But so far, the real theatre of this opening session of the GA has come from Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, who spoke directly after the US President. There was a considerable pause between their addresses, and a confusion in the Hall as he and his delegation took their time approaching the podium. He has also referred to "our son, Barack Obama," and has been perusing the UN charter point by point, saying the world body doesn't live up to the principles it was founded upon.

It was clear the Libyan leader was only speaking off of vague notes, ad-libbing throughout. It was certainly a more spontaneous speech than the scripted, coherent address we heard from the orator Obama.

This mix of characters, styles, and ideas is one of my favourite parts about the General Assembly - and what makes it an entertaining and interesting event to cover.

Kate Moody, UN, New York.

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