SECURITY COUNCIL RECOMMENDS TO GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT REPUBLIC OF NAURU BE ADMITTED TO MEMBERSHIP IN UNITED NATIONS

Press Release
SC/6693

SECURITY COUNCIL RECOMMENDS TO GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT REPUBLIC OF NAURU BE ADMITTED TO MEMBERSHIP IN UNITED NATIONS

The Security Council this afternoon recommended to the General Assembly that the Republic of Nauru be admitted to membership in the United Nations.

By adopting resolution 1249 (1999), by a vote of 14 in favour to none against, with one abstention (China), the Council increased the Organization's total membership to 187. That action was taken after the Council considered the recommendation report of the Committee on the Admission of New Members (document S/1999/716).

Speaking in explanation of position before the vote, Shen Guofang (China) said that his delegation attached great importance to the desire of the Republic of Nauru for admission to the United Nations and had seriously studied its application. However, the most essential thing in the admission process was that the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter should be complied with. New Members should comply with General Assembly resolutions and fulfil their Charter obligations.

China could not support the recommendation on admission of the Republic of Nauru to the United Nations, he continued. At the same time, considering the long-term interests of the peoples of China and the Republic of Nauru, China would not block the resolution. He hoped that when the Republic of Nauru joined the United Nations, it would comply with all the resolutions, including General Assembly resolution 27/58 (1971).

After the adoption of the resolution, the Council President, Baboucarr- Blaise Ismaila Jagne (Gambia), read out the following statement on behalf of the Council:

"The Security Council has decided to recommend to the General Assembly that the Republic of Nauru be admitted as a Member of the United Nations. On behalf of the members of the Security Council, I wish to extend my congratulations to the Republic of Nauru on this historic occasion.

Security Council - 2 - Press Release SC/6693 4017th Meeting (PM) 25 June 1999

"The Council notes with great satisfaction the Republic of Nauru's solemn commitment to uphold the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and to fulfil all the obligations contained therein. We look forward to the day in the near future when the Republic of Nauru will join us as a Member of the United Nations and to working closely with its representatives."

The meeting was called to order at 4:28 p.m. and adjourned at 4:33 p.m.

Resolution

The text of resolution 1249 (1999), which is contained in the report of the Committee on the Admission of New Members concerning the application of the Republic of Nauru for admission to membership in the United Nations (document S/1999/716), reads as follows:

"The Security Council,

"Having examined the application of the Republic of Nauru for admission to the United Nations (S/1999/478),

"Recommends to the General Assembly that the Republic of Nauru be admitted to membership in the United Nations."

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