Why would anyone be supposed to give a fig what Atul Khare (UN Rep in E Timor) thinks or wants?

Question

Why would anyone be supposed to give a fig what Atul Khare thinks or wants, unless of course Atul Khare happens to be an expert on the matter he's being consulted on.

pertinent news item follows:

East Timorese President Jose Ramos Horta says he wants a man-hunt for fugitive rebel leader Major Alfredo Reinado called off.

The hunt was launched by Australian-led peacekeepers and the Government after Reinado and his men attacked several border police outposts and fled with dozens of weapons.

Dr Ramos Horta has told Radio Timor Leste he and the country's Attorney-General met with a follower of Reinado, identified as Susar, in Manufahi district, south of Dili.

"I do not want to see any Timorese being afraid, hiding and running in the forest, being hunted by international troops like animals," Dr Ramos Horta said.

"If there's a problem, I will come to the mountains, forests and valleys for dialogue and find a solution."

Answer 1

Well, from the story you've quoted, Reinado is being sought by UN peacekeepers. Khare is the UN representative for East Timor, and is supposed to represent the will and the policies of his government. Some governments allow their UN ambassador some latitude in setting policy or speaking on their own. Reading between the lines, I wonder whether Khare has overstepped the bounds set for him by his country. Perhaps that's why Dr. Horta is conferring with him. I don't know anything about this situation, but a good general rule is that if a government opposes a UN action against it, the head of its UN delegation should be representing his government's position exactly, and taking no positions or actions on his own.