RI pushes new category for UNSC membership<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia is pushing for a new category in the
\nUnited Nations Security Council to redress what they see as the
\noverriding power of the five permanent members.<\/p>\n
Indonesia's chief representative to the United Nations Nugroho
\nWisnumurti said on Tuesday the council should try to appoint new
\npermanent members without vetoing rights enjoyed by the permanent
\nfive.<\/p>\n
\"This is our position and we're fighting to push this
\nthrough,\" Nugroho told reporters. This was just after he briefed
\nPresident Soeharto on the current endeavor to restructure the
\nworld body, including its security council.<\/p>\n
Indonesia will be insisting that these new permanent members
\nbe selected on the basis of a number of criteria such as
\ngeography and population size, he said.<\/p>\n
The main thing however is that developing countries should be
\nbetter represented, he added.<\/p>\n
The United States, one of the five permanent members, has
\nendorsed a proposal to include Japan and Germany as new permanent
\nmembers without vetoing rights.<\/p>\n
\"This would be unfair,\" Nugroho said. \"They should be balanced
\nby the presence of developing countries.\"<\/p>\n
There is still a controversy at the UN about the proposal for
\na new category. Obviously, this would have to be resolved before
\nthe members could start even discussing the criteria for the new
\nmembers, he added.<\/p>\n
The move to restructure the 184-member UN followed immediately
\nafter the end of the Cold War. Many have criticized that the five
\npermanent members, particularly the United States, have too much
\npower in dictating world affairs.<\/p>\n
The other four permanent members are Russia, China, France and
\nBritain. In addition, there are 10 non-permanent members which
\nare rotated every two years.<\/p>\n
Indonesia has put in its candidacy for a seat representing
\nAsia which will become available in 1995, but the decision will
\nhave to wait until the next UN General Assembly in October.<\/p>\n
Sole candidate<\/p>\n
Nugroho said that, so far, Indonesia is so far the only
\ncandidate for the seat despite the fact that officials have been
\nlobbying for support from Asian countries<\/p>\n
\"Based on our consultations with other UN members, our
\nprospects look quite good,\" he said. \"If there are no candidates
\nby the time the issue is decided in October or November, then
\nIndonesia's nomination is assured.\"<\/p>\n
\"I think other countries would agree that it is fair for
\nIndonesia to take a seat at the Security Council given the role
\nthis country has played in various fields, from peace efforts to
\nregional and international affairs. We also shouldn't forget
\nIndonesia's involvement in the UN peacekeeping missions,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Nugroho also kept President Soeharto abreast of the
\nnegotiations with Portugal to settle the East Timor issue in the
\nUnited Nations.<\/p>\n
He said that various developments in the past year have
\ncreated a more conducive atmosphere before the next round of
\ntalks between the foreign ministers of the two countries on May 6
\nin Geneva. This includes the current visit of 24 East Timorese,
\nnow Portuguese citizens, who left the region after the Dili
\nincident.<\/p>\n
During the meeting the President stressed the need for greater
\ncoordination in handling East Timor, which would include
\nambassadors, governments and the various agencies in East Timor.
\n(emb)<\/p>",
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