INTERESTS OF SMALLER NATIONS SHOULD BE PROTECTED IN REFORM PROPOSALS FOR SECURITY COUNCIL, AUSTRALIA TELLS ASSEMBLY

Press Release
GA/9375

INTERESTS OF SMALLER NATIONS SHOULD BE PROTECTED IN REFORM PROPOSALS FOR SECURITY COUNCIL, AUSTRALIA TELLS ASSEMBLY

Contributions to Development; Peacekeeping, Human Rights Not To Be Forgotten; Peru Says Use of Veto Power Has Caused Mistrust

The interests of small and medium-sized countries should not be forgotten in the Security Council reform exercise, the representative of Australia told the General Assembly this afternoon, as it concluded its consideration of equitable representation and increase in the membership of the Council.

She said middle Powers had made significant contributions to the United Nations, notably in disarmament, development, peacekeeping and human rights. Agreement on Council expansion should include a provision for review of any new arrangements after 10 years to allow all countries another opportunity to examine the Council's size, composition and working methods.

The representative of Peru said reform was viewed with apprehension when discussed in the context of permanent membership, because of the way the current permanent members had used the power entrusted to them. The power of the veto enabled them to decide what constituted a threat to peace and security and the appropriate action. In the international sphere, no other organization had that kind of power.

The representative of the United Republic of Tanzania said progress on Council reform was vitally important otherwise cynicism towards the United Nations might be given "a shot in the arm". Restructuring the Council was central to United Nations reform and of concern to all Member States. Regrettably, that shared concern had not been translated into action. The overriding objective was a more balanced representation between the developed North and the developing South in both permanent and non-permanent categories of membership.

In a concluding statement, the President of the Assembly, Hennadiy Udovenko (Ukraine), said 71 representatives had spoken during the debate, confirming once again that Security Council reform remained the backbone of United Nations radical transformation. The debate would guide and facilitate greater understanding in future deliberations of the Open-ended Working Group

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which would begin substantive deliberations in the second half of January 1998.

Statements were also made by the representatives of Namibia, Philippines, Kygyzstan, Angola, Liberia and the United Arab Emirates.

The Assembly will meet again at 10 a.m., Monday, 8 December, to begin consideration of the report of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda; elimination of coercive economic measures, and the situation in Central America.

Assembly Work Programme

The Assembly met this afternoon to conclude its consideration of the question of equitable representation on, and increase in the membership of, the Security Council and related matters. It had before it a draft resolution (document A/52/L.7) and an amendment (document A/52/L.47). (For further details, see Press Release GA/9372 issued on 4 December.)

Statements

SELMA ASHIPALA-MUSAVYI (Namibia) said her country wanted the expansion of the Security Council in both permanent and non-permanent categories. It opposed, in the strongest terms possible, any attempt that sought to ignore the genuine interests of developing countries, especially those in Africa. She said Africa was entitled to at least two permanent seats in the Council to be allocated in accordance with the system of rotation based on the current established criteria of the Organization of African Unity (OAU).

The Working Group (on the issue of Council reform) should continue to be the forum to search and reach a consensus. The reformed and democratic Council should strictly observe the principle of equitable geographical representation.

Many important developments had taken place since the Council was created, she said. Colonialism had been eradicated, many countries had gained their freedom and independence, and the number of Member States had increased. The reformed Council should reflect those realities. Namibia was opposed to the veto, which it felt was outdated, obsolete and undemocratic. The Assembly should work tirelessly for its complete elimination. She asked why, if the permanent five members were not prepared to relinquish their veto power, should new permanent members be discriminated against. All new permanent members should be accorded the same prerogatives enjoyed by the present permanent five.

DAUDI N. MWAKAWAGO (United Republic of Tanzania) said he supported the earlier statement of Egypt on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement. Reform was a complex issue producing strong opposing views. Issues should be clarified so that the non-controversial ones could be isolated. Progress was vitally important otherwise cynicism towards the United Nations might be given "a shot in the arm". Restructuring the Council was central to United Nations reform and of concern to all Member States. It was a matter of serious regret that the shared concern had not been translated into action.

He said his Government wanted to restate its support for the positions of both the OAU and the Non-Aligned Movement. The Security Council should be more democratic in its working methods and in its membership, with increased permanent and non-permanent membership from the developing countries. The

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overriding objective was more balance of representation between the developed North and the developing South, in both categories of membership.

FELIPE MABILANGAN (Philippines) said he supported various Non-Aligned Movement positions and negotiating papers on both the expansion of the Council and reform of its working methods and decision-making process. He suggested the Working Group seriously consider working on the basis of a single text so as to focus discussions on the "Cluster I" issues -- size and composition of the Council, regional rotation for new permanent members and general review of new permanent members. Such a text could facilitate discussions and possibly advance the issues, as was the case with those in Cluster II, on which the Working Group held significant and productive discussions on the basis of the Non-Aligned Movement negotiating paper.

In that connection, he said, specific measures ripe for early agreement included the application of Articles 31 and 32 of the Charter to the informal consultations of the whole, substantive consultations with troop-contributing countries on all aspects of peacekeeping operations, and measures to increase transparency of the work of the various bodies created by the Council, such as the Sanctions Committee. (Articles 31 and 32 deal with circumstances in which non-members of the Security Council may take part in discussions of the Council, without the right to vote.)

ZAMIRA ESHMAMBETOVA (Kyrgyzstan) said true comprehensive reforms aimed at making the Council more effective were impossible without resolving the problems of its size and equitable composition. The number of seats in both membership categories should be increased. Kyrgyzstan appreciated the readiness of Germany and Japan to assume the responsibility of permanent membership. Developing countries should be equitably represented among the permanent and non-permanent members, and the Council's size should be limited to 25 seats. Any further increase would hamper its decision-making capability.

She said the veto was anachronistic and undemocratic and its scope should be limited to issues falling under Chapter VII of the Charter. Decisions on Council reform should be made in the Assembly in conformity with Article 108 of the Charter requiring a two-thirds majority vote. Some criteria for members seeking a permanent seat should be worked out; the review of membership for such candidates was important. There was a lack of precision on the concept of rotating seats. The concept should be examined in detail. The regional States would decide on the modalities of its implementation. It was important to proceed with a sense of urgency, while avoiding undue haste and an imposed time-frame.

AFONSO VAN-DUNEM "MBINDA" (Angola) said reform of the Council and the expansion of its membership should be part of one package and must be pursued following general agreement among the entire membership. Angola did not

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favour the establishment of any time-frame for the process, but it did not want the efforts continuing indefinitely. The time was ripe to move forward.

His country's position was consistent with those of the OAU and the Non-Aligned Movement, reiterated most recently in their Summits in Harare and New Delhi. He strongly supported the enlargement of the Council in both the permanent and non-permanent categories. Countries who played vital roles in today's international relations deserved consideration for permanent membership. In that context, his country fully supported Brazil's quest for a permanent seat. The extent, nature and modalities of expansion of the Council should be based on equitable geographical distribution and the sovereign equalities of States. Non-aligned and African countries should be represented in both categories in a new reformed Council that would have up to 26 members. Africa should be allocated not fewer than two permanent seats. He said Angola supported abolition of the veto, but until that happened, its use must be restricted to the issues falling under Chapter VII of the Organization's Charter.

WILLIAM BELL (Liberia) said the Working Group had made progress on issues relating to the Council's working methods, but there were still major differences on the issues of its expansion and composition. Most Member States agreed on the need to increase membership in both categories in order to redress the current geographical imbalance. There was growing appreciation of the contributions Germany and Japan could make as members of an expanded Council.

He said caution should be taken not to rush the process in order to satisfy particular concerns. It was important that any final decision on amendments to the Charter be made in accordance with Article 108. Liberia supported the African position for the allocation of two permanent and five non-permanent seats on an expanded Council. It also fully associated itself with the statement of the Permanent Representative of Egypt on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement.

FERNANDO GUILLEN (Peru) said his country believed that any increase in the membership of the Security Council must include developing countries from the three regions: Asia, Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean. That would make the Council quantitatively and qualitatively more balanced. Council membership required a history of loyalty to the United Nations Charter, and a contribution to the attainment of the objectives of the Organization.

He said Security Council reform was viewed with apprehension when discussed in the context of permanent membership, because of the way the current permanent members used the power entrusted to them. The power of the veto enabled permanent members to decide what was a breach to peace and security and how to take actions in that regard. In the international sphere no other organization had that kind of power.

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He cited difficulties in the current reform process. A few countries still put obstacles in the way of any increase in the Council beyond 22 members. Those who enjoyed the power of the veto found it impossible to renounce the privilege. On the election of a new permanent Council member by the Assembly, he said the two-thirds majority was not enough to give the widest possible legitimacy to such a critical issue. He expressed concern that the failure of one permanent member of the Council to honour its financial obligations had placed the Organization in a position of insolvency and jeopardy.

PENNY WENSLEY (Australia) said her delegation had initially hesitated to take part in the debate on Security Council reform, but she realized the speeches of Member States were an important check-list of the current state-of-play on the issue, and a foundation for constructive work to be undertaken during 1998.

She said Australia believed the Council should be expanded to no more than 25 members. It should include, as permanent members, important States able to make major contributions to international peace and security. She cited Japan and Germany. There should also be permanent seats for under-represented regions, and a significant number of additional non-permanent seats.

In the reform exercise, she added, the interests of small- and medium-sized countries should not be forgotten. Middle Powers such as Australia had made significant contributions to the United Nations since its foundation, notably in disarmament, development, peacekeeping and human rights. Agreement on Council expansion should include a provision for review of any new arrangements after 10 years. That would allow countries like Australia, as well as all members of the international community, to have another opportunity to examine the Council's size, composition and working methods.

MOHAMMAD J. SAMHAN (United Arab Emirates) said that given the mounting challenges to peace and security around the world, it was imperative to endorse a wider reform of the United Nations, particularly the Security Council. Since its foundation, United Nations membership had increased greatly to more than 180 countries. The Council's composition did not reflect contemporary economic and political changes over the last four decades. Despite the efforts of the Open-ended Working Group, there were still divergent views and positions regarding reform. Any action should be part of a comprehensive package which took account of the need for more equitable geographical representation, improved transparency and greater democratization in both the Council's procedures and working methods.

He said the countries of the Arab Group represented 20 per cent of the membership of the Organization, reflecting their growing role in international affairs and their contribution to settling problems before the Council. The

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current institutional methods of the Council had betrayed "double-dealing and double standards", especially on issues that affected the Arab countries. The Working Group should make an increased effort to objectively assess those occasions when the Council's resolutions did not enhance its credibility. He hoped the discussions of the Working Group would lead to a consensus which took into account the wish of developing countries to increase their permanent and non-permanent membership of the Council.

The President of the Assembly, HENNADIY UDOVENKO (Ukraine), closing the debate, noted that 71 speakers had been heard, confirming once again, he said, that Security Council reform remained the backbone of United Nations radical transformation.

All speakers addressed the issue as a matter of paramount importance for the Organization. The debate had proved useful, and would facilitate greater understanding in future deliberations of the Open-ended Working Group. He intended to begin substantive deliberations of the Working Group in the second half of January 1998.

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