PRESS CONFERENCE BY PRIME MINISTER OF SWEDEN

PRESS CONFERENCE BY PRIME MINISTER OF SWEDEN

Göran Persson, the Prime Minister of Sweden, reiterated his call for a worldwide increase in official development assistance (ODA) and the strengthening of peacekeeping, at a Headquarters press conference this evening, following his presentation to the General Assembly.

He pointed to those two issues as priorities among the wide variety of topics on which he had earlier urged less talk and more action from the international community.  Other priorities included, he said, increasing support for the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and similar agencies.

In response to correspondents’ questions, he said that no new financial mechanisms were needed to fund such initiatives.  The existing ODA tools were adequate, and any new funds or international levies would merely cause endless discussion of technical arrangements.  It was better to improve the existing tools and put pressure on all countries to meet their existing commitments.

Sweden, he said, had succeeded in raising its ODA contribution to 1 per cent of its gross national income.  It was now just below Norway as having the highest rate in the world.  That contribution was possible because of firm public and legislative support.

In answer to a question about the presentation of United States President George Bush, Mr. Persson said he saw signals of renewed cooperation with the international community.  There was less mention of domestic politics and more importance given to the multilateral system, he thought.  Regarding Security Council reform, he said that Europe might very well have to compromise in order to empower other regions.

Asked about his remark that the Security Council should begin to refer cases to the International Criminal Court, he said that he had not been addressing specific cases.  Darfur and other current situations were, possibly, relevant for such referral, but that would have to await thorough investigation.

Finally, in answer to questions about support for peacekeeping, he said that Sweden had reinforced its troop contributions around the world, and intended to continue its strong support for peacekeeping in the future.  Those countries that had “pulled back” from peacekeeping had done so because of financial constraints.

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