PRESS CONFERENCE BY SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT

PRESS CONFERENCE BY SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT

The new Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation and President of the Security Council for August, Andrey I. Denisov, briefed correspondents this afternoon on the Council’s work programme for the month, following the presentation of his credentials to Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

Ensuring a collective response to contemporary threats and challenges, under the aegis of the United Nations, was a fundamental priority of his country’s foreign policy, he said at the Headquarters press conference.  The close cooperation with Russia’s partners in the Security Council, representatives of other MemberStates and the Secretariat would continue.  He would also continue the tradition of providing timely information to the media about Russia’s approach to issues on the Council’s agenda.

Highlights of the Council’s work programme, approved this morning, included open meetings devoted to the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) on 5 August and to the situation in Afghanistan on 18 August.  Council members and all interested delegations could take part in those meetings, he noted.  The Council would also consider the situation in Iraq, including an extension of the mandate of the United Nations mission in that country, as well as a briefing from Yuli Vorontsov, the Secretary-General’s High-Level Coordinator for missing Kuwaiti and third-country nationals and stolen Kuwaiti property.

Also, he continued, the Council would monitor the situation in the Middle East, especially in light of the deteriorating situation there.  Tomorrow, the Council would adopt a presidential statement on the activities of the International Criminal Tribunals for Rwanda and the Former Yugoslavia.  Another important issue this month was the early start of the work of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 on non-proliferation.

The Council would also devote time to Africa, he added, with plans for a briefing on Darfur, in light of the implementation of resolution 1556.  On the initiative of the French delegation, the Council would adopt a presidential statement on Côte d’Ivoire.  Also, the report on the Democratic Republic of the Congo would be considered at the end of the month.  In addition, the Council would follow the deployment of the mission in Burundi and consider implementation of sanctions on Somalia.

In addition, the Council would be following the situation in Haiti, and holding an open meeting on Timor-Leste.  Furthermore, it would approve the organizational plan for the Executive Directorate of the Counter-Terrorism Committee.  Tomorrow, the Council would have its monthly working lunch with the Secretary-General, during which it would be briefed on the Côte d’Ivoire summit held in Accra, Ghana.

The Secretary-General, Mr. Denisov said in response to a question, would also brief the Council on the situation in the Sudan, particularly Darfur, tomorrow.  The Sudan would be a focus of attention during the month, since resolution 1556 required an evaluation of the situation within a given time frame.  He recalled that his country had supported resolution 1556 and had helped make it more acceptable to Council members.

On the Executive Directorate of the Counter-Terrorism Committee, Mr. Denisov said he hoped the organizational plan would be completed and adopted soon.  Noting that the Russian Federation was currently chairing the Committee, he reiterated that counter-terrorism was a top priority for his country, as it was for all countries.

Asked if he expected a decision on adjusting the standards before status policy regarding Kosovo, Mr. Denisov said he envisaged an active discussion within the Council this month on Kosovo, adding that the Russian Federation’s position on the issue was well known.  It was crucial, he said, particularly after the violence in March, to ensure security and stability in Kosovo.

On Iraq, he noted that the most important task this month was the promulgation of the mandate of the United Nations mission there, which was crucial in light of the work of the Organization in achieving peace and stability in the country.  It was vital to ensure security for United Nations personnel, who should assist the Iraqi people in restoring normal life.

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