Venezuela has proposed the Dominican Republic and Bolivia as alternative candidates for a non-permanent seat on the United Nation’s Security Council. After 41 rounds of voting, the race between Venezuela and Guatemala is still at a stalemate, with no clear-cut winner in sight. Adding to speculation is a report in yesterday’s Listin Diario on the alternative selection process. The article refers to last week’s non-scheduled meeting between Dominican President Leonel Fernandez and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. After his meeting with President George W. Bush, Fernandez held a 45-minute meeting with Rice, after which he announced that the United States would not object to the Dominican Republic’s selection to run for the UNSC position.