|
|
Mr. President,
1 We are debating yet again the question of the reform and
expansion of the Security Council that has remained under discussion for a
decade now. Since the positions of Member States on this complex issue are
well-defined, any attempt to elaborate them again is not necessary here.
2 In brief, the consensus view of general membership is in
favour of strengthening the Security Council by ensuring its representative and
participatory character. We all agree that the principle of sovereign equality
of all States must be the guiding principle as we seek to reform the Council. We
also agree that this reform should be comprehensive and inclusive.
3 However, vast differences exist on core issues. The
overwhelming sentiment is opposed to the discriminatory and undemocratic veto
power. Granting special status or power to States is also considered
anachronistic to the principle of sovereign equality and to the values which are
the legal and moral basis of the Charter of the United Nations. Similarly, there
is no agreement on the expansion in the permanent category while expansion in
the non-permanent category is desired by a majority of member states.
Mr. President,
4 The comprehensive reform of the Security Council has to be
undertaken in a manner that unites, not divides the general membership. It is
the aspirations of the general membership and not the ambitions of a few that
must drive the reform of the Council. In pursuing this reform, we see no
justification for the creation of new centres of privilege or expansion of
existing inequality at the cost of the central principles of sovereign equality
which remains the foundation of international relations today. Our aim must be
to strengthen the democratic, inclusive and participatory character of this
World Organization. It is time to redress, not exacerbate, the anomalies and
inequities of the past in the structures and processes of the United Nations,
including the Security Council.
5 The General Assembly, the most universal and representative
organ of the United Nations, has an obligation to advise and encourage the
Security Council to exercise its primary responsibility for the maintenance of
peace and security with great effectiveness, openness and consistency. To this
end, the General Assembly should recommend the following measures to the
Security Council and its Members:
One: The improvements made in
the Council’s working methods should be codified as recommended by the Secretary
General in his report.
Two: Rule 48 of Security
Council’s Provisional Rules of Procedure should be adhered to in letter and
spirit. Closed meetings and informal consultations should
be kept to a minimum, as the exception they were meant to be.
Three: A compendium should be
drawn up of resolutions, conflicts and disputes where the Security Council has
been unable to secure implementation of its
own resolutions, with a view to taking remedial action.
Four: The Security Council may
undertake a thorough consideration of how the provisions of the Chapter VI of
the Charter can be fully utilized and the roles
which the Council, the Secretary General or other UN bodies could play in more
actively pursuing the pacific settlement of conflicts and disputes.
6 Finally, Mr. President, we believe that the Open-ended
Working Group remains the only appropriate forum to continue to address this
issue in a transparent manner in accordance with the mandate given to it by the
General Assembly. My delegation would like to assure you of our full support and
cooperation as you guide our deliberations on this issue of vital importance to
all Member States.
I thank you, Mr. President.