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Monday, June 14, 2010
Pakistan for firm UNGA role to re-shape SC* Member states remain divided over details, despite a general agreement
* Pak envoy Sial asks all sides to show flexibilityUNITED NATIONS: Pakistan has called for strengthening the role of the General Assembly, the most representative of UN organs, in shaping the Security Council (SC), as talks continue on ways to reform the 15-member body.
“The real issue is reaching political consensus among the member states on the issue of reform of the Security Council,” acting Pakistan Ambassador to UN Amjad Hussain Sial told a closed-door session of the 192-member assembly on the expanding of the Security Council into a more representative and more effective body.
“Primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security is conferred on the Security Council,” he pointed out in his remarks on a document produced by Afghan Ambassador Zahir Tanin, who oversees the negotiations on reforming the council. Tanin says the text reflects all positions. “(the) best way of ensuring that the council is responsible, is to strengthen the role and authority of the General Assembly in determining the composition of the council on a continuous basis,” Ambassador Sial added.
Full-scale negotiations to restructure the council began in the General Assembly in February last year on five key areas — the categories of membership, the question of veto, regional representation, the size of an enlarged Security Council, and working methods of the council and its relationship with the 192-member assembly. The ambassador said all the five issues were equally important and interlinked.
Divided: Despite the general agreement on enlarging the council, as part of the UN reform process, member states remain sharply divided over the details. In July 2005, the so-called Group of Four, India, Germany, Japan and Brazil — aspired to permanent seats without veto rights on a 25-member council with six new permanent seats without veto power, including two for the African region, and four additional non-permanent seats.
In the same year, the Italy/Pakistan-led ‘Uniting for Consensus’ (UfC) group opposed any expansion of the permanent members on the Security Council.
It sought enlargement of the council to 25 seats, with 10 new non-permanent members.
In April 2009, Pakistan also backed a proposal, tabled by Italy and Columbia, which would create a new category of members — not permanent members — with three to five years duration and a possibility of re-election. .
Flexibility: Ambassador Sial called for all sides to show flexibility and compromise in order to move towards a consensus. “Pakistan with other like minded countries has shown innovation and flexibility on its 2005 position when it also endorsed the Italy-Colombia proposal,” he said.
“We should strive to achieve a comprehensive reform package encompassing all five key areas identified in the decision, which is acceptable to the entire membership,” the Pakistan envoy said, adding, “Any divisive effort will only undermine the efficiency and efficacy of the Security Council”. app
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk