SECURITY COUNCIL MUST BE REORGANIZED TO ENHANCE ITS LEGITIMACY, EFFECTIVENESS, FOREIGN MINISTER OF JAPAN TELLS ASSEMBLY

23 September 1997

Press Release
GA/9307

SECURITY COUNCIL MUST BE REORGANIZED TO ENHANCE ITS LEGITIMACY, EFFECTIVENESS, FOREIGN MINISTER OF JAPAN TELLS ASSEMBLY

19970923 Central American Presidents Stress Regional Union; President Of Paraguay, Foreign Ministers of Finland, Portugal, Also Speak

The Security Council must be reorganized to enhance its legitimacy and effectiveness, given the greater role it now plays in the area of peace and security, the Foreign Minister of Japan said this afternoon, as the General Assembly continued its general debate.

There should be an increase in the numbers of both its permanent and non-permanent members, he told the Assembly. If only the non-permanent membership expanded, the Council's legitimacy and effectiveness would not be enhanced and genuine reform, aimed at adapting to the changing times, would not be accomplished.

The Foreign Minister of the Netherlands, H.A.F.M.O. van Mierlo said that as the current "reform session" of the Assembly got under way, a promising outcome would be jeopardized if underlying concerns were dismissed. Some developing countries were afraid the major western governments were out to recast the United Nations as an institution that would run on the lowest possible budget and concentrate on peacekeeping, humanitarian aid and human rights. There were also concerns that the Organization's development programme might suffer as a result.

It was important to remember that reform might actually strengthen the United Nations development sector, so it might deliver a better service with available resources, he said. The exercise was not about cost cutting but about having a leaner and meaner Organization which might deliver better value for money. A stronger development sector might make the Organization more attractive, not only to recipients but to donor countries as well.

Also addressing the Assembly this afternoon, the Presidents of several Central American countries drew attention to regional moves towards unity. The Guatemalan President, Alvaro Arzu Irigoyen, said the region was leaving behind years of war and authoritarianism and stepping into a constructive stage of political, economic, social, cultural and ecological strength.

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During the past three years there had been extraordinary progress in integration efforts, he said. All governments in the area had agreed on the need for economic integration and for efforts towards establishment of a regional political union. A high-level group had been designated to prepare for such a Central American union, which would aim at achieving tangible results in overcoming poverty, creating jobs, improving production capacity and competitiveness, and promoting true democratization.

Statements were also made by the Presidents Paraguay, Costa Rica, El Salvador and Honduras, as well as by the Foreign Minsters of Finland and Portugal. The representatives of Indonesia and Portugal spoke in exercise of the right of reply.

The Assembly will meet again at 10 a.m. tomorrow, 24 September to continue its general debate.

Assembly Work Programme

The General Assembly met this afternoon to continue its general debate. It was scheduled to hear statements by the Presidents of Paraguay, Guatemala, Costa Rica, El Salvador and Honduras, as well as by the Foreign Ministers of Japan, Finland, Netherlands and Portugal.

Statements

JUAN CARLOS WASMOSY, President of Paraguay, said the Declaration of Asunción had called for enlargement of the Security Council, both in its permanent and non-permanent membership, with special attention to representation for the Latin American and Caribbean region. It also called for reform of the Council's organizational methods, elimination of the veto, more open meetings, and the inclusion of Brazil, Germany and Japan as permanent members.

All States that met the requirements of the United Nations Charter should be open to membership in the Organization, he said. With that principle in mind, resolution 2758 should be reconsidered; Taiwan, Province of China, should not be barred from its fundamental right of participating with international organizations in their activities. It should be admitted as a Member State of the United Nations. It was also hoped that moves would be taken towards reconciliation.

He said that Paraguay fully supported United Nations efforts in the field of conventional and nuclear disarmament, reduction of arsenals, and the creation of nuclear-weapon-free zones. At the recent Oslo Conference, Paraguay had supported the proposal to prohibit anti-personnel landmines. His country was also committed to combating terrorism and narcotics trafficking.

Noting that 10 December 1998 would mark the fiftieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of the Human Rights, he said that the new culture of democratic solidarity had prevented a return to periods in world history when authoritarianism negated human rights. Paraguay had begun to strengthen democracy, development and human rights through a plan of social action. Democracies needed to see social problems as the new reality. If they did not, they would remain at the fringe of history.

KEIZO OBUCHI, Foreign Minister of Japan, said the current session was of unprecedented importance. By realizing United Nations reform, the international community would be better able to solve the problems of peoples in all parts of the world who were suffering from conflicts and poverty -- especially glaring in Africa. The Secretary-General's reform package, intended to enhance the coherence and effectiveness of United Nations' activities, had his country's support. If the United Nations was unable to reform itself, and if each Member State simply pursued its own interests,

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confidence in the Organization would be severely undermined. "At this moment, we are standing at a crucial crossroads -- the very moment at which we must summon the political will to decide on the outlines of United Nations reform."

In Japan's view, reforms relating to the Security Council, finance and development were the three pillars of the current effort. In view of the greater role played by the Council in the area of international peace and security, it must be reorganized in order to enhance its legitimacy and effectiveness. Japan advocated expanding both its permanent and non-permanent membership. If only the non-permanent membership expanded, the Council's legitimacy and effectiveness would not be enhanced, and genuine reform, aimed at adapting to the changing times, would not have been accomplished.

Further retrenchment by the Organization in the area of financial reform was required, he said. Member States must fully pay their assessed contributions and eliminate their arrears. To complement the present method of calculating the scale of assessments which was based on the "capacity to pay", Japan advocated adopting the principle of "responsibility to pay".

With respect to development, Japan had been insisting on a new development strategy, based on a genuine partnership between developed and developing countries, he said. The Secretary-General's proposals to establish a United Nations Development Group and to consolidate United Nations offices at the country level would increase efficiency. However, United Nations reform must not be a euphemism for budget cutting. Japan advocated investing the savings accrued from reforms in development programmes, a plan which should be implemented promptly.

Setting development on track and eradicating poverty in Africa were necessary for the fundamental solution of the conflicts that frequently occurred there, he said. At his country's initiative, plans were under way for the Second Tokyo International Conference on African Development at the ministerial level next year, following a preparatory meeting in Tokyo at the level of senior officials in November. He would ask concerned States to cooperate for the success of those conferences and for the achievement of substantive progress in promoting African development.

TARJA KAARINA HALONEN, Foreign Minister of Finland, associated herself with the statement made on behalf of the European Union. Reform of the United Nations was inevitable, given the new imperatives of globalization and interdependence. An attitude of "business as usual" would inevitably lead to marginalization of the United Nations in world affairs. The Assembly should consider the Secretary-General's proposals as a coherent whole and give him the authority to act on them during the current session.

Human rights must become an integral part of all United Nations activities, she said. There was a genuine and growing demand for United

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Nations action in the field, which was currently hampered by inadequate resources. Finland pledged its full support to Mary Robinson, the newly appointed High Commissioner for Human Rights. In the area of crisis management and peace-keeping, a key lesson learned was the need to prevent emerging conflicts in a rapid and coherent manner. In order to implement political decisions effectively and without delay, her country strongly supported the establishment of a rapidly deployable mission headquarters, and urged its establishment without delay.

The United Nations and the international community had the enormous task of assisting people in the devastated region of Bosnia and Herzegovina, she said. High Representative Carlos Westendorp deserved full support in his efforts. There was also a need for the continued presence of the peacekeeping force.

With respect to Africa, the continent most ravaged by violent conflicts and human suffering, priority should be given to developing the Organization's crisis prevention and peacekeeping capabilities, she said. Efforts under way within the Organization of African Unity (OAU) were welcome, and Finland was prepared to provide training assistance. In the region of the Middle East, the parties were urged to exercise restraint, both in deeds and in words.

In the disarmament sphere, the focus was shifting from weapons of mass destruction towards conventional arms, including small arms, she said. Finland would continue to participate actively in efforts by the Conference on Disarmament towards an effective global treaty on anti-personnel landmines. Recent positive developments in the area of nuclear disarmament should be followed up by Russian ratification of the Chemical Weapons Convention.

The Secretary-General's proposals for creation of a United Nations Development Group were important first step towards a more unified system, she said. Nevertheless, full integration of all United Nations activities at the country level, including those of the specialized Agencies, must remain the goal. The proposed reforms of the Economic and Social Council were not enough. Its coordinating role must be strengthened. Without positive action, it would sink into irrelevance. Similarly, a more coherent response was needed to assist the victims of disasters, both man-made and natural. The Emergency Relief Coordinator required the full support of all humanitarian agencies.

Non-payment of assessed contributions was a serious threat to the future of the Organization, she said. While her country understood the motivation behind the Secretary-General's proposal for a revolving credit fund, such a fund would use voluntary contributions to cover unpaid legal dues. Although the United Nations might gain some respite, so would the countries in arrears. Establishment of such a fund might be accompanied by sanctions in the case of non-payment of assessed contributions.

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JAIME GAMA, Foreign Minister of Portugal, said the Security Council's decision-making process should be made more transparent and an environment created that allowed non-members to assist in its work. There should be open debates allowing non-members to participate in discussions on matters of direct interest to them. A more coherent framework for future Council actions could be created by encouraging debate on themes of particular relevance to its work, such as the promotion of human rights, the protection of refugees, humanitarian assistance, and the impact of sanctions.

Germany and Japan should be included as permanent members of the Security Council, he said. Any increase in the number of permanent members on the Council should include States from the regions of Africa, Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean. Brazil, as the largest country in Latin America and a founding Member of the United Nations, might be considered. Reform and enlargement of the Council should reflect the increase in the membership of the United Nations, account of the new political and economic realities, and ensure equitable geographical distribution.

The creation of a rapid deployment mission headquarters and the initiative of some Member States to support a high-readiness brigade were instruments that would permit the United Nations to strengthen its capacity to react to emerging crisis, he said. Portugal was ranked twenty-sixth among troop-contributing nations for United Nations peacekeeping operations.

One of the most pressing problems facing the Organization was the need to resolve its serious financial crisis, he said. That solution lay in the full and timely fulfilment of obligations, unconditional payment of arrears, a review of the scales of assessment to reflect the real capacity of Member States to pay, and the application of financial rigour with respect to existing financial resources.

Such recent events as the awarding of the 1996 Nobel Peace Prize to Monsignor Ximenes Belo and Jose Ramos Horta had confirmed that the problem of East Timor was more alive than ever before in the conscience of the international community, he said. Unfortunately, that attention had not resulted in an improvement of that situation in which the systematic violation of basic human rights persisted. The people of East Timor continued to be denied the right to express and affirm their identity, despite deliberations of the Commission on Human Rights.

H.A.F.M.O. VAN MIERLO, Foreign Minister of the Netherlands, said that as the current "reform Assembly" got under way, its promising outcome would be jeopardized if underlying concerns were dismissed. Various groups of nations had expressed doubts about what other groups were aiming for in the reform exercise, and developing countries had expressed misgivings about the process as a whole. Some were afraid that the major Western governments were out to recast the United Nations as an institution that would run on the lowest

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possible budget and concentrate on peacekeeping, humanitarian aid and human rights. There were also concerns that the Organization's development programme, perhaps its most important achievement, might actually suffer as a result of reform. Understandably, many nations saw the decline of official aid levels in recent years as the writing on the wall. A handful of nations described the Secretary-General's proposals as a "Northern" package, catering mainly to the needs of the industrialized world.

Developing nations wanted to see the United Nations strengthened in the fields of social and economic development, he said. They rightfully argued that if the membership was serious about that objective, it needed to equip the Organization accordingly, and more resources should flow into it. The Secretary-General was well advised in having most of his reform package focus on the economic and social sectors, which commanded the widest interest among Member States. He had evidently concluded that the contents of his package represented the maximum achievable at present. While many industrialized countries might have wanted more ambitious and comprehensive proposals, the Netherlands believed the package was well-directed, substantial and worthwhile.

It was important to remember that reform might actually strengthen the United Nations development sector, so it might deliver better service with available resources, he said. The exercise was not about cost-cutting, but about having a leaner and meaner Organization which might deliver better value for money. A stronger development sector might make the Organization more attractive, not only to recipients but to donor countries as well. Voluntary contributions should not only come from the same small group of traditional donors year after year. The Netherlands was among the top contributors and intended to remain so. It appreciated the spectacular gesture by Ted Turner, but donor contributions should also come from the newly industrialized nations in Asia and elsewhere. Members should stay current on their financial obligations, paying their contributions promptly, in full and without conditions.

The heart of the matter was not about core concepts but about mindset, he said. It was about trust. It was about feeling comfortable with the idea that among 185 Member States, differences in views were inevitable, particularly when discussing the future of the Organization. The package should be accepted as it stood. Its details and implementation could be worked out later. Endorsement in general terms was needed before the Assembly adjourned in December, otherwise the momentum of the reform process would be lost.

He said the United Nations capacity to deal with military, political and humanitarian crises must be improved, as shown by the situations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Somalia, Rwanda and Zaire. Several countries, including the Netherlands, had been trying to develop the concept of a stand-by, high- readiness brigade within the framework of the United Nations stand-by

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arrangements. A rapidly deployable headquarters was being established, and tomorrow, a small number of countries would deliberate informally on how to promote further progress. Crises required a coherent and effective international response that integrated preventive diplomacy, political mediation and humanitarian relief, as well as social action, economic alternatives and cultural communication -- in short, development. Timely prevention could help avoid immense costs for rehabilitation, resettlement and reconstruction. Military intervention under United Nations auspices should only be used as a last resort.

ALVARO ARZU IRIGOYEN, President of Guatemala, said the Central American presidents appeared together at the Assembly as truly united nations, signifying a common effort and purpose for regional unity. The region was leaving behind years of war and authoritarianism and stepping into a constructive stage of political, economic, social, cultural and ecological strength. Only 12 years ago, Central Americans were on the brink of a regional war; but negotiation had prevailed over confrontation, and weapons were laid aside. On 29 December last year, the final accord for a firm and lasting peace in Guatemala was signed.

The process of compliance with the peace accords had advanced decisively on all fronts and all areas of commitment, he said. The joint commissions contemplated in the accords had been installed, creating the most ample and diversified structures of citizen participation in Guatemalan history. All the significant changes in Guatemala were being verified and supported by the United Nations.

During the past three years, there had been extraordinary progress in integration efforts. All governments in the area had agreed on the need for economic integration and for efforts towards establishment of a regional political union. A high-level group had been designated to prepare the basis and conditions for such a Central American union, which would aim at adhering tangible results in overcoming poverty, creating jobs, improving production capacity and competitiveness, and promoting true democratization.

JOSE MARIA FIGUERES OLSEN, President of Costa Rica, said the countries of Central America presented themselves to the Assembly today as united around an ideal of integration. During the past three years, their countries had made a great effort to join the rest of the world. They understood it was essential to make real the objectives and priorities of their alliance for sustainable development, an initiative signed in 1994. Central America had established preferential relations with Canada, Chile, United States, Japan, Mexico, Republic of Korea and the European Union, based on real strategic priorities, not short-term interests. The countries of Central America were convinced that economic growth could only take place if it was accompanied by growing levels of sustainable development. They had decided to move towards a common future of progress and solidarity.

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The Central American countries supported the Secretary-General's proposals for a modern, efficient Organization with higher levels of coordination, he said. United Nations reform should be accompanied by a constructive revision of the scale of assessments. The criteria of determining contributions should be modified so that all Member States contributed according to their real financial situation.

It was the view of the Central American States that the machinery designed in 1945 for the protection of international peace and security should be revised through a broad consensual exercise, he said. There should be an increase in the number of permanent members of the Security Council. Council reform proposals should be democratic and represent the pluralism of States and regions which made up the United Nations. The three developing regions of the world should have permanent representation on the Council. If there was an unwillingness to eliminate the veto power, it should apply exclusively to matters falling under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.

ARMANDO CALDERON SOL, President of El Salvador, said the establishment of democratic governments in Central America had created conditions conducive to regional stability. In the face of globalization, the countries of Central America needed to take their place in the new world order. The impulse to reunification had always been latent among the peoples of Central America, who were now resolved to pursue regional political union.

An effective United Nations required adequate and certain financial resources, he said. There must be no conditionality attached to Member States' contributions. The independence of the Organization and its programmes must be protected.

Enlargement of the Security Council should include representation by developing countries, he said. The Council's decision-making process should be collegial, democratic and transparent.

In accordance with the principle of universality which characterized the United Nations, the aspirations of the Republic of China on Taiwan to join the Organization should be realized.

CARLOS ROBERT0 REINA IDIAQUEZ, President of Honduras, said that as the world approached the end of the century, an era of democracy finally existed after a long night of dictators and various forms of totalitarianism. However, in addition to representative government, there must be an understanding of human beings as the root and fruit of everything. Democracy with extreme poverty was not the ideal.

The President said that there had been five successive governments in Honduras through free elections. Democracy was now being practised in Honduras, a development that was almost unprecedented. However, free

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elections were not sufficient to consolidate a system or to give guarantees to the people. The Government tried to address the people's needs since 1994, in an effort to move forward from formal to real democracy.

He said that in Honduras, there was an ongoing reaffirmation of ethical values and a resolute campaign against corruption, the enemy of democracy. There had been a significant improvement in the Honduran economy, and there was continuous interaction between the governors and the governed.

Honduras was a part of the Central American family, he said. The will for union among the Central American countries had existed since the colonial era and could not be wiped out by time. Between 1994 and today, the Alliance for Sustainable Development and the Agreement for Central American Union were major influences on Central American life.

The Alliance for Sustainable Development represented a radical transformation for Latin America, he said. It recognized growth, respected and protected the future, and avoided the negative consequences of short-term approaches.

Central America had always suffered from lack of regional coherence, particularly in the political sphere. The region would now be brought together, not through a utopian or romantic vision but out of an act of maturity. A formal document containing a commitment to such unity would be available by the end of the year.

The President said he supported the request by Taiwan, Province of China, to join the United Nations. On United Nations reform, he said such reform was necessary so the Organization might move ahead and keep abreast of the times. However, he did not support the rushing through of resolutions relating to the membership of the Security Council. Latin America and the Caribbean had to be considered in any discussion concerning an increase in the Council's membership.

Right of Reply

ARIZAL EFFENDI (Indonesia), speaking in exercise of the right of reply, said unwarranted statements made today by the Foreign Minister of Portugal brought into question that country's sincerity and commitment to the process of constructive dialogue. During last June's talks on the situation in East Timor, held under the auspices of the Secretary-General, Indonesia had affirmed its willingness to work with Portugal. Portugal could not call for constructive dialogue, on the one hand, and then use every opportunity to speak negatively on the question of East Timor.

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The historical facts were clear, he said. The problems on East Timor could be traced back to the colonial situation left by Portugal which, in August 1975, lent armaments and munitions to minority groups in East Timor and abandoned it to civil war. It would have been timely if Portugal had listened to the voices of the people of East Timor when they asked for self- determination 22 years ago. Indonesia remained fully committed to East Timor's future as a fully integrated part of Indonesia.

ANA MARTINS GOMES (Portugal) said Indonesia had failed to comply with the provisions of the United Nations Charter and relevant United Nations resolutions. Portugal and Indonesia had both taken part in negotiations under the auspices of the Secretary-General. As stressed by the Foreign Minister of Luxembourg, speaking on behalf of the European Union this morning, the process of decolonization in East Timor had not been completed. Any settlement must fully respect the rights of the peoples of East Timor.

Mr. EFFENDI (Indonesia) said Portugal's response contained no new elements. It was Indonesia's position that the people of East Timor had exercised their right to self-determination and had been sharing fully in the progress enjoyed by the other Indonesian people.

Ms. GOMES (Portugal) said she had nothing more to add.

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