Statement by
Dr. Desra Percaya
Charge d’affaires ad interim
of the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Indonesia
to the United Nations
before the May 2002 Wrap-Up Session
of the Security Council

New York, 31 May 2002

Mr. President,

My delegation commends you for convening this May 2002 Security Council Wrap-Up session with the participation of all UN Member States. It provides us with an opportunity to reflect on the Council’s role in dealing with some of the issues on its agenda so that it may serve as a guide for its future work. These sessions should be held regularly and institutionalized as they constitute an important modality to enhance the transparency and accountability of the Council.

Despite the complexities attendant upon its role, it is now widely acknowledged that this august body has made valuable contributions to the maintenance of international peace and security. Thus, the Council has, among others, rightly focused its attention on the multiple aspects of peacekeeping, proven its capacity to make decisions quickly, and shown greater objectivity and realism in dealing with some of the on-going conflicts. To a considerable degree, the Council has succeeded in seeking peaceful solutions to complex problems and substituted dialogue and negotiations for armed conflicts.

Notwithstanding these positive developments, we cannot fail to note the uneven record of the developments in the Council’s working methods and procedures which are of paramount importance to the vast majority of member states. Trust and confidence in the adoption of draft resolutions and decision-making processes require transparency and close coordination between the Council and non-members particularly the countries that are directly affected.

Consultations should be held as appropriate prior to any decisions by the Security Council in order to allow ample opportunity for both the Council and the countries involved to undertake discussions that are substantive in nature. Such an approach will also make the Council sensitive to the viewpoints and legitimate concerns of the Member States that are not members of the Council. And this will in turn, render the Council more open, effective and representative.

Meanwhile, the selective and uneven implementation of Security Council resolutions, particularly as regards the Palestinian problem, is a cause for continuing concern and warrants a review commensurate with the gravity of the situation as well as the actual and potential impact on international peace and security.    

Regional organizations can play an increasingly active role in enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of United Nations efforts for peace. The methods of cooperation and coordination between them need to be improved, particularly in the areas of preventive diplomacy, peacekeeping and peace-building. Consequently, further exploration of ways to further strengthen interaction between them in the political, security, economic, social and other fields has now assumed preeminent importance.

Economic and social issues, which constitute the root causes of conflicts, have become all the more important to be effectively addressed as conflicts are increasingly recognized to have socio-economic origins. Hence, commitment to sustained growth and development constitute a viable modality to uproot the fundamental causes of conflicts which pose threats to peace and security.

The link between the peace process and economic dividends needs to be demonstrated by a comprehensive approach integrating the political, socio-economic and humanitarian dimensions by covering the period from peacekeeping to post-conflict reconstruction, and more importantly, by extending economic and developmental assistance. Only through such an approach can we place an achieved peace on a durable foundation.

Concepts of peacekeeping, peacemaking and peace-building need to be adapted to the new realities, especially in view of the qualitative changes that have occurred in the nature of conflicts. Questions relating to the future use of powers vested under Chapter VII of the Charter also call for a collective rethinking on the basis of insights derived from recent experiences in order to mitigate its adverse consequences.

Finally, Indonesia shares the view of Singapore to summarize the salient features of this Wrap-Up Session along with the proposals and recommendations made by the participants for further follow-up action by the Council. This Wrap-Up report should also be circulated to all member states and observers.

Thank you, Mr. President.