Indonesia closer to winning Security Council seat

Indonesia closer to winning Security Council seat

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia is virtually ensured of a seat on the
United Nations Security Council for the 1995/96 period after
winning the endorsement of the so-called Asian Group at the UN.

"Now we are one step closer to becoming a member of the
Security Council representing Asia," Nugroho Wisnumurti, the
Indonesian ambassador to the UN, told the Antara news agency in
New York on Thursday.

Indonesia is bidding for one of the council's two rotating
seats that will become available next year, one of which is
designated for Asia.

Indonesia's candidacy was discussed by representatives of the
Asian Group at the UN on Wednesday and it was agreed that the
Asian countries would vote for Indonesia when the issue is
decided at the UN General Assembly which opens in October.

"Indonesia has been lobbying for support for the seat from all
UN members," Nugroho was quoted as saying.

He added that Indonesia had approached a number of "key
countries" in Asia to secure Wednesday's endorsement.

He said he was especially encouraged because the endorsement
came early, adding that Wednesday's session concluded with a long
standing ovation for Indonesia.

"This shows that the Asian Group is fully behind our
candidacy," he said. "Obviously this cannot be separated by the
role Indonesia has played as chairman of the Non-Aligned
Movement."

The only candidate

Nugroho, however, cautioned that the matter was not yet a done
deal despite the ringing endorsement because things could still
change between now and the vote at the General Assembly.

He said that so far Indonesia is the only candidate for the
council seat designated for Asia and the election will be a
virtual formality if this remains by the time the Assembly
gathers.

He recalled one instance when a country added its candidacy at
the last minute.

"But bearing in mind that we have prepared quite intensively,
let's hope this doesn't happen to us, especially given the
enthusiasm shown by countries within the Asian Group."

He pointed out that Indonesia has also received support for
its candidacy from countries outside Asia.

The Security Council consists of five permanent members and 10
members who rotate every two years. The five permanent members
are the United States, Britain, France, China and Russia.

The Non-Aligned Movement, which is chaired by Indonesia, has
been lobbying for reform of the Security Council to ensure
greater representation of the interests of developing countries.
(emb)