By Brian Taylor BBC Scotland political editor

Indeed, I join in with my customarily dry attitude to political life.

The first minister received V-VIP treatment on his arrival in Malawi

As Jack McConnell descends from the plane at Lilongwe airport in Malawi, I suggest that perhaps the accompanying press pack might form an honour guard, our pencils pointing proudly towards the warm African sun.

The Malawians, however, have beaten us to it.

Scotland's first minister is welcomed by the vice president plus a military escort.

Said escort runs gallantly behind the vice presidential motorcade as Mr McConnell is whisked to the V-VIP suite.

This matters to Malawi - and for why? Simple desperation.

Any prospect of international assistance is clutched. Frankly any international attention at all is welcome.

This nation of 12 million people in south eastern Africa tends not to make the headlines.

Can Scotland solve all of this? Of course not.

No bloody conflict, you see. No urgent famine. Just stubborn, wearying poverty.

The rains have been scarce this year. That means a poor crop of maize.

That means that the hungry season, yes they really call it that, will start a few months earlier - perhaps October rather than December. Elemental and elementary.

Then the public services. The hospital where expectant mothers sleep on the floor, wondering if their infant will survive - wondering if they will survive.

Outside their families keep silent vigil, providing emotional and practical succour.

The school where the children walk miles to scan scarce books, enthused by dedicated teachers who know that far too many of their charges will have to drop study for lack of money.

Scarce rains in Malawi mean the "hungry season" will come early

Can Scotland solve all of this? Of course not.

Firstly there is a deeper political concept: global aid in return for political reform - the core topic of the coming G8 summit at Gleneagles.

Secondly, the problems at Malawi and across sub-Saharan Africa are simply too large, too long-lasting, to admit of instant resolution.

But perhaps, perhaps we might try.

Perhaps, in this country of the Kirk and Livingstone, we might find something of our international voice again - softly spoken, non-assertive but eager for all that.