I had lunch today with the Chief Negotiator. We discussed many facets of his country’s tragic history, the difficult situation in which his people now find themselves, and his government’s dissatisfaction with the current UN Special Representative tasked with finding a solution to their problem.

“Mind you,” he said, “the UN Special Representative and I do have one thing in common.”

“What’s that?” I asked. I personally get on quite well with the UN Special Representative, and am frankly dismayed that he has managed to lose the confidence of the Chief Negotiator and his people as comprehensively as he has done. It was good to hear that the Chief Negotiator did have something good to say about him.

“We are both big fans of Lost,” the Chief Negotiator replied.

I nearly choked on my food. One of those moments when you don’t know whether to laugh or to cry.