Statement by
Mr. Jehezkiel S. George Lantu
Member of the Indonesia Delegation
Before Open Ended Working Group on the Question of Equitable
Representation on and Increase in the Membership of the Security Council
and Other Matters related to the Security Council
On
Relationship between the General Assembly and the Security Council

New York, 7 April 2004

Mr. President

My delegation would like to thank you for convening this meeting concerning the relationship between the General Assembly and the Security Council. This is a very important issue that has been prominent in discussions of Security Council reform.
Indonesia is of the opinion that a strong and active relationship between both organs is essential to the effectiveness of the United Nations. This is the basis of our position that not only must there be greater interaction between them, but that their roles and interaction must be clarified.

First of all, the interaction between the General Assembly and the Security Council must, in the interest of all Member States, be governed by transparency. In that connection, there must be increased dialogue and exchange of information between them, with the Council carrying the Assembly along in its decision-making. This is critical because the Assembly is an integral part of the system of collective security established by the Charter. One way in which the Council can have a finger on the pulse of the Assembly is by convening more formal meetings on the issues before it, thereby hearing the views of interested parties before it makes decisions or adopts resolutions.

Secondly, the Council should also accept, as an article of faith, the necessity of regularly informing Member States of the nature and scope of its activities and deliberations. Towards further enriching its work, the Council must. also provide the opportunity and means for concerned Member States to communicate their views to it. An important tool in this regard is institutionalized consultation between the Presidents of the Assembly and the Council.

Thirdly, about three years ago, the Council began a series of month-ending wrap-up sessions, a review of its work during the period with the participation of non-members of the Council. This was widely hailed throughout the Organization, and we found it to be very useful. Unfortunately, for nearly two years now, the wrap-up sessions have not been held. In our view, such an important vehicle of communication between the membership at large and the Council, and one in which the outgoing Presidency directly accounts to Member States, should be maintained.

Indonesia believes that the annual report of the Council to the General Assembly can, and must be made a much more useful and effective communication and management tool than it is now. To that end, it is imperative that the report becomes more of an analytical evaluation of the issues considered by the Council, as well as a detailed account of the work of its special committees. As a mere compendium of the communications and documents of the Council, the report is of no use to the Member States, and contributes nothing towards enhancing the work of the Organization.

Finally, Mr. President, my delegation would like to point out that it is of the greatest importance that the Charter-mandated responsibilities of organs of the United Nations be maintained and respected. This guarantees that the checks and balances in the Charter, and the finely-tuned jurisdictions that the Founding Fathers worked hard to achieve, are not trampled upon.

Thank you, Mr. President.