RI undecided on UN Security Council reform proposals<\/p>\n
Ivy Susanti, The Jakarta Post\/Jakarta<\/p>\n
The Indonesian government is sitting on its decision on the
\nproposed reform of the United Nations Security Council, saying
\nthat it does not want to get involved in a "head-long rush" to
\nsupport any of the two models proposed by a UN panel.<\/p>\n
Foreign ministry spokesperson Marty Natalegawa, however,
\nhinted on Friday that Indonesia was still interested in getting a
\npermanent seat on the Security Council, citing Indonesia's
\nrelative independence from the influence of any global power.<\/p>\n
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan released a 63-page report in
\nMarch on the most wide-ranging changes within the UN since its
\ncreation in 1945. Among the proposed changes, Annan recommended
\nthe reform of the UN Security Council in two optional models.<\/p>\n
Model A provides for six new permanent seats -- besides the
\ncurrent five -- with no veto power, and three new two-year non-
\npermanent seats, divided among the major regions of Africa, Asia
\nand the Pacific, Europe and the Americas.<\/p>\n
Model B provides for no new permanent seats but creates a new
\ncategory of eight four-year renewable seats and one new two-year
\nnon-permanent (and non-renewable) seat, divided among Africa,
\nAsia and the Pacific, Europe and the Americas.<\/p>\n
Any change has to be approved by a two-thirds vote in the 191-
\nmember General Assembly, with no veto rights for the permanent
\nmembers: the United States, Britain, France, Russia and China.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the so-named Group of Four -- Brazil, Germany,
\nIndia and Japan -- who are bidding for a permanent seat on the
\nCouncil under model A, reportedly circulated a draft resolution
\nlast month that called for the Council's expansion from 15 to 25
\nmembers, with six new entrants having veto rights and four
\nalternating members.<\/p>\n
The draft was issued only a day after the U.S. had reportedly
\nsignaled it would not support the G4 nations' quest for a
\npermanent seat on the Council unless they give up their demand
\nfor veto rights.<\/p>\n
Indonesia does not recognize the G4's draft resolution.<\/p>\n
"On the reform of the United Nations Security Council, we are
\naware that there are two options presented by the UN secretary-
\ngeneral. We have yet to confirm which of the two options are our
\nfinal preference," Marty said on Friday.<\/p>\n
"We feel it is difficult to support the current effort to have
\nmodel A adopted in the form of a resolution at the UN General
\nAssembly. Not only in terms of substance, but there is the
\npotential that it can underscore the inequity of the UN Security
\nCouncil. Also, the process to reach the decision may in fact
\ncreate more division than unity among UN members," he added.<\/p>\n
He did not mention Indonesia's support for any particular
\ncountry, but said that Indonesia would abide by the following
\nprinciples: Any new permanent members must be able to represent
\ndeveloping nations; to instill a sense of common ownership; and
\nto prevent unfairness.<\/p>\n
"Indonesia has not abandoned its bid for a permanent seat. We
\nhave to think what difference Indonesia, or other countries
\naspiring for the seat, can make. A permanent member must be able
\nto contribute more.<\/p>\n
"Now we have to ask whether the countries like Germany and
\nJapan have any particular qualities to contribute that are
\ndifferent from the dominant perspectives in the UN. In
\nIndonesia's diplomacy, we are confident that we can make a
\ndifference. But whether other countries share our views or not it
\nremains to be seen," Marty said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ri-undecided-on-un-security-council-reform-proposals-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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