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