INSTRUCTIONS FOR STATEMENT ON THE OPEN-ENDED

UNCLAS STATE 167108 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: UNSC PREL UN SUBJECT: INSTRUCTIONS FOR STATEMENT ON THE OPEN-ENDED WORKING GROUP ¶1. The Department authorizes USUN to deliver the following statement during the session of the Open-Ended Working Group on Security Council reform, to be held December 14. ¶2. Mr. President, -- Thank you for convening this meeting of the Open-Ended Working Group. This group made significant progress on the issue of Security Council expansion during the 61st session, and we believe that, under your leadership, it will continue to advance the UN reform agenda in the 62nd session. -- During the Plenary debate on Security Council expansion, held one month ago, Member States expressed the common belief that the United Nations as a whole must adapt to address the new challenges of the 21st century. The world has changed, and the UN must also change to ensure that it can function as an effective institution. Expansion of the Security Council should therefore guarantee its ability to deal successfully with threats to global security. -- I would like to make four main points on Security Council reform. -- First, we believe that the Open-Ended Working Group is the appropriate forum in which to undertake these negotiations and reach agreement on the concrete elements for Council expansion, and that your appointment of a Task Force can support these efforts. -- Second, the seven pillars of reform, which you presented during November,s Plenary debate, will serve as valuable guidelines to move this process forward. Developing a new proposal for modest expansion will not be easy, as it will require considerable patience and flexibility on the part of Member States. But achieving the broadest possible support for Council expansion is necessary to ensure that even a small portion of the membership is not alienated by the result and agrees that it constitutes an improvement over the status quo. -- Third, we believe that modest Council expansion is not a goal in and of itself. Any reform of the Council must be undertaken for the ultimate purpose of increasing the effectiveness of the entire UN system. A comprehensive reform package must therefore include reforms in other priority areas, as well. -- Fourth, the U.S. continues to support Japan,s candidacy for permanent membership, and believes that other nations should be considered as well. We have not, however, made any decisions about which other nations qualify, nor do we have a specific proposal for Council expansion. We therefore look forward to reviewing new proposals developed within the Open-Ended Working Group and hope that other Member States share our openness and flexibility. -- We look forward to hearing the views of other Member States, and are confident, Mr. President, that through your leadership, with the support of the Task Force, this Group can engage in a constructive dialogue that is conducive to ensuring tangible and comprehensive reform. Thank you. End Statement. RICE