PRESS CONFERENCE BY PRIME MINISTER OF AUSTRALIA

PRESS CONFERENCE BY PRIME MINISTER OF AUSTRALIA

The United Nations was a very effective institution, but it could not handle all the world’s problems alone, Australia’s Prime Minister John Howard said this evening at a Headquarters press conference wrapping up the work of today’s round-table discussion on the Summit’s agenda.

In opening remarks, Mr. Howard said he had no sense of despair about the future of the United Nations.  Among the points that had emerged in today’s discussions had been criticisms about the handling of proliferation issues and about the Organization’s reform overall -- all of which had to be faced.  At the same time, the proposals for a Peacebuilding Commission were warmly welcomed.  Overwhelming emphasis was placed on the importance of poverty reduction.  In that context, trade liberalization was deemed to be even more important than official development assistance (ODA), which should be conditional on improved governance.

“Meetings such as this often suffer from the politics of expectations”, he said, “but today, there was a sense of realism about what can be done.”  Terrorism was another main topic of discussion.  The Prime Minister said when it came to tackling the problem, the United Nations would play a part, but so must individual countries.  Finally, one of the most positive things to come out of today, was the emphasis United States President George W. Bush placed on trade liberalization.

Asked where things went from here on the proliferation issue, he said it was important how the world deals with it, especially when it came to North Korea and Iran.  Particular outcomes were more important than the form of the response, it was the substance, rather than the framework, he added.

Responding to question on Security Council membership, the Prime Minister said the structure would have to be addressed.  There was a positive emphasis placed on more permanent members that don’t have a veto.  The focus should be in Asia or a Muslim majority country, or South or Central America, but not in Europe.

Mark Latham, the former Australian politician who wrote a book sharply criticizing the Government, was another point of contention.  “He was chosen by the Labour Party and he claims to be an outsider, but in some respects, he’s the quintessential insider”, said the Prime Minister.

Mr. Howard congratulated British Prime Minister Tony Blair on his country’s big cricket win.  He said Blair was “polite and very gracious” when he called to congratulate him.

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For information media • not an official record