Topolanek and Bursik lobby for UN Security Council seat

Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek and Environment Minister Martin Bursik are in New York on Monday, drumming up support for the Czech Republic at the United Nations. On Tuesday, there will be a vote on which country should gain a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council. The Czech Republic is eyeing the post, which would span a period of two years and start in 2009, but it is up against Croatia in Tuesday's vote. The Czech Ambassador to the UN, Martin Palous has said that he is 'cautiously optimistic' about the Czech Republic's chances. These sentiments have been echoed by Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg.