Cuba Supports Urgent Reform of UN Security Council

[magbana]

"Cuba supports urgent reform of
Security Council methods

Cuba supports urgent reform of Security Council methodsUNITED NATIONS, April 8.—Cuba today presented its proposals concerning the membership and working methods of the Security Council, during a session devoted to debating the issue within the General Assembly.

Cuban Ambassador Abelardo Moreno stated that his country supports an urgent and profound reform of the current working methods of the Security Council, an organization which – he added – "is neither transparent, nor democratic nor efficient at the current time," according to a PL report.

During the intergovernmental negotiations on the reform of the Council, the diplomat proposed that the organization increase the number of public meetings and keep those that are held behind closed doors and unofficial gatherings to a minimum.

He recommended greater participation by any state concerned in discussions on issues that may affect it and that the Security Council present analytical annual reports.

Cuba’s permanent representative at the UN also spoke about the importance of guaranteeing that the opinions of member states expressed in public debates are subsequently reflected in the Council’s resolutions and statements.

Moreno also discussed the need to officialize the Council’s regulations – which have been provisional for more than 60 years – and guarantee that the organization’s priorities reflect the needs and interests of underdeveloped countries.

For Cuba, the ambassador advised, the concern is that there will be no real reform of the working methods of the Security Council until a genuine reform of the UN as a whole takes place.

Moreno said that, as a minimum, two African countries, two developing countries in Asia and two from Latin America and the Caribbean should be awarded "permanent member" status.

With this composition, he stated, the Council would come closer to the equitable geographical distribution to which we aspire.

Translated by Granma International
"
http://www.granma.cu/ingles/2009/april/juev9/cubas.html