In November 1999, Slovenia is Presiding over the Security Council for the Second Time, before the Expiry of its Term of Office on 31 December 1999
Ljubljana, 2 November 1999 - Slovenia began its two year term as a member of the Security Council of the United Nations on 1 January 1998 (elected on 14 October 1997). It occupies a non-permanent seat in the Security Council, which belongs to Central and Eastern European countries. In August 1998, Slovenia took over for a month the presidency of the Security Council, which is one of the principal organs of the United Nations and has the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security. In November 1999, Slovenia is presiding over the Security Council for the second time, before the expiry of its term of office on 31 December 1999.
The success of Slovenia in getting elected to the Security Council barely five years after joining the United Nations, is underscored by the fact that there are more than 70 countries which have been members of this world organization much longer than Slovenia, but have yet to take part in the work of the Council, whose importance has greatly increased since the end of the Cold War.
During Slovenia's first presidency in August 1998, the Security Council held 9 formal meetings and its members met 17 times in informal consultations. The Security Council passed 5 resolutions and 3 presidential statements, including one on Kosovo. Dr. Danilo Türk, Slovene Ambassador to the United Nations, delivered 15 oral statements to the press during his first term as president of the Council.
During its presidency in August 1998, Slovenia had already demonstrated an understanding of world problems and a capacity for formulating proposals acceptable to all members of the Security Council. Under Slovene guidance, the Security Council dealt most intensively with Iraq, Libya, Afghanistan, debated Kosovo twice, and was involved in discussions on monitoring and implementing resolutions on the arms embargo against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
Slovenia is currently in its second year as a non-permanent member of the Security Council. Slovenia views its membership as an opportunity to cooperate actively in the process of addressing the most demanding questions of world security. Slovene activities in the Security Council are determined by Slovene foreign policy priorities, by international standards and by the realities of relations within the international community. The efforts of Slovenia are characterized by a consistent and principled approach to daily challenges on the agenda of the Security Council, all of which strengthens the reputation of Slovenia as a credible member of the international community.
Slovenia is satisfied with the very good working relations it has established with other members of the Security Council in dealing with the most pressing issues of international peace and security. Indeed, it is safe to say that a constructive and cooperative partnership has been established in the Security Council, based on mutual respect and mutual benefit.
International inspectors must return to Iraq
Slovenia considers that it is of utmost importance at this juncture to ensure the return of international inspectors to Iraq, since there has been no international monitoring following the military operation of December 1998 and thus no assurance that Iraq is actually respecting the provisions of the United Nations resolutions, especially in the field of disarmament.
Slovenia attaches particular importance to the unity of the Security Council in dealing with the question of Iraq. Intensive consultations on this issue are especially necessary among the permanent members. Slovenia reiterates its willingness to contribute actively to the building of a consensus among all the members of the Security Council. The role of Slovenia on the question of Iraq has been one of a constructive and reliable partner. It was Slovenia that presented a proposal in January 1999 for the suspension of sanctions against Iraq. This approach has gained wide support in the still on-going discussions on devising a new strategy of the Security Council towards the question of Iraq.
Slovenian chairmanship of the sanctions committee for Libya
Slovenia welcomes the fact that in April 1999, Libya transferred for trial in the Netherlands, two of its citizens suspected of the attack on the Pan Am plane over Lockerbie. This transfer resulted in suspension of United Nations sanctions against Libya. For the complete lifting of the sanctions, Libya is expected to satisfy some additional requirements, such as renouncing support for international terrorism, cooperating in the investigation and in the judicial proceedings, and agreeing to the settling of suitable damages in the event of conviction. Slovenia hopes that these requirements will be met soon, so as to enable the Security Council to lift the sanctions completely.
The Ambassador of Slovenia has been chairing the sanctions committee for Libya, which was among the most active sanctions committees of the Security Council until the suspension of sanctions. Slovenia has performed the role of the chairman impartially, as attested to by all the countries directly concerned. Slovene efforts in the sanctions committee were directed above all at enabling speedy and effective proceedings concerning humanitarian exemptions from the sanctions regime, such as emergency medical evacuations.
Active cooperation in the region of South-Eastern Europe
Throughout its membership in the Security Council the issues of the region of South-Eastern Europe were some of the important priorities for Slovenia. Slovenia was active in finding solutions to the crises in the region, particullary to the crisis in Kosovo. Slovenia has been actively involved in the work of UNMIK (United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo) since its establishment. Slovenia cosponsored most of the resolutions regading Bosnia and Herzegovina, Prevlaka in Croatia, UNPREDEP in Macedonia and Kosovo in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
Slovenia will continue its policy of active engagement in the region during its presidency of the Security Council. Among other issues, Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Kosovo, Mr. Bernard Kouchner, will brief the members of the Council on the acitivites of UNMIK, as well as on the security situation in Kosovo. The new High Representative of the international community for the implementation of the Peace Agreement in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr. Wolfgang Petritsch, will present his views on the results achieved so far in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the remaining responsibilities of the international community there. The new Prosecutor for the International Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia will also brief members of the Council at the begining of November.
Other Activities and Tasks
African issues will also figure prominently on the agenda of the Security Council in November. The members of the Council will discuss situations in Burundi, Somalia, Western Sahara and the border conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea. Security Council is also expected to start the process of authorization of a peacekeeping mission to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which is expected to evolve into one of the major peacekeeping operations of the United Nations ever.
The Security Council will also deal with the expiration of the November 14 deadline for the Taliban in Afghanistan to hand over Osama bin Laden, who is suspected of masterminding the terrorist attacks on the United States embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in August 1998.
During the month of November, the mandates of peacekeeping operations in Tajikistan, on the Golan Heights and in Haiti will expire. Security Council is expected to extend all three operations.
The Role of the Security Council in Conflict Prevention
Conflict prevention and the need to strenghthen the culture of prevention is at the centre of current discussions in the United Nations. Slovenia therefore intends to launch a debate on the role of the Security Council in conflict prevention in November. The proposal gained wide support of the members of the Security Council, the president of the General Assembly and the Secretary-General of the United Nations. An open debate on the issue will take place towards the end of the Slovenian presidency.
Transparency
As a non-permanent member of the Security Council, Slovenia follows the principle of transparency of its work. During its presidency, Slovenia will remain open to the general membership of the United Nations and the public at large. All relevant information regarding the work of the Security Council will be regularly published on the website of the Permanent Mission of Slovenia to the United Nations in New York (www.un.int/slovenia).
For more information, please contact:
Permanent Mission of the Republic of Slovenia to the United Nations
Ambassador - Head of the Mission: Dr. Danilo Türk
+1 212 370 30 07
www.un.int/slovenia
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia
Public Relations Service: Mr. Branko Zupanc
+386 (61) 178 23 54