Indonesia stands firm on UN reform<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia is continuing its campaign for reform
\nat the United Nations Security Council, reiterating that the
\ncurrent structure no longer reflects the existing world power.<\/p>\n
President Soeharto told Emil Salim, a member of the UN High-
\nlevel Advisory Board on Sustainable Development, that Indonesia's
\nstance on the issue remains firm.<\/p>\n
\"President Soeharto has asked that efforts be made so that the
\ncouncil reflect the real world power, by admitting, for example,
\ncountries with populations over 200 million people, to have
\npermanent seats,\" Emil told journalists after reporting to
\nSoeharto on the results of the board's meeting in New York
\nrecently.<\/p>\n
Currently, Indonesia has a non-permanent seat at the council.
\nThe major countries holding permanent seats are the United
\nStates, Russia. China, France and Britain.<\/p>\n
Emil said the council is dominated by countries who triumphed
\nin the World War II, \"although they might not be winning in
\ndevelopment.\"<\/p>\n
The meeting, which was presided over by UN Secretary General
\nBoutros Boutros-Ghali, discussed UN development and the growing
\ndemands for reform.<\/p>\n
The results will be discussed further by the UN General
\nAssembly in October, which will coincide with the body's golden
\nanniversary.<\/p>\n
Emil, who was appointed to the board in 1993, said Indonesia's
\npresence at the meeting was given to voice problems specific to
\nthe interests of developing countries.<\/p>\n
He said a number of developing countries have become \"annoyed\"
\nbecause of \"the arrogance of the developed countries\", whose
\ncampaign for their interests is often conducted at the expense of
\nthe other countries.<\/p>\n
\"The developed countries are imposing their wishes on other
\ncountries,\" he said. \"Look at their trade wars, they are ignoring
\nthe developing countries.\"<\/p>\n
\"Look at members of the Group of Seven industrialized
\ncountries, who always want to talk about the world economy, but
\nwithout involving developing countries,\" he said. \"What are we
\nthen? Where's our place?\"<\/p>\n
Emil reminded everyone that the UN was established based on
\nthe principles of democracy, pluralism and accountability. \"Those
\nprinciples have been violated the past 50 years, this is the
\nsource of the developing countries' annoyance,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Indonesia, current chairman of the Non-Aligned Movement, has
\nbeen in the forefront in campaigning for UN reforms. However, UN
\nSecretary General Boutros Boutros-Ghali has repeatedly reminded
\nthe proponents for such reforms that they will have to face an
\narduous route to succeed.<\/p>\n
In order to revise the Security Council's membership, or
\nabolish the members' veto rights, the UN would have to revise the
\nUN Charter. This campaign will need the agreement of the five
\nmembers of the Council, who have the right to veto such a move.<\/p>\n
Emil said that the high-level advisory board on sustainable
\ndevelopment also discussed the roles of international monetary
\norganizations in the UN. (swe)<\/p>",
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