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Statement New York, 20 July 2000 Mr. President, On behalf of my delegation, I would like, first of all, to extend our most heart-felt congratulations on your assumption of the Presidency of the Security Council for the month of July. We are particularly grateful for the presence of H.E. Mr. Paul Robertson, Foreign Minister of Jamaica, in our midst despite his numerous other duties and responsibilities. We have full confidence that under his wise guidance and skillful stewardship, progress will be made in dealing with the issue on its agenda. Let me also avail of this opportunity to commend the role played by the past President, Ambassador Jean-David Levitte of France, in facilitating our deliberation during last June. My delegation is gratified to note the Security Council’s decision to hold a public session to renew its consideration of conflict prevention at this juncture when conflicts are being waged in various parts of the world. These retrograde developments which have defied peace-making efforts, warrant greater attention to be placed on conflict prevention before they escalate into violence and bloodshed. We share the widely-held view that preventive strategies are preferable to reactive strategies. They are also highly cost-effective. The sums they require pale in significance when compared to the huge cost involved in unconscionable loss in human lives and material devastation resulting from conflicts. Hence, the Security Council should go beyond in not only dealing with conflicts but also in deterring the emergence of new tragedies. As a fundamental axiom, it is pertinent to note that as each situation is unique, initiatives must be premised on a case-by-case basis. Under all circumstances, they should be undertaken with the consent of the states concerned, take into account their legitimate interests and be consistent with the principles enshrined in the Charter. Our failure to recognize these immutable principles may well prove to be counter-productive. In the task of preventing disputes from arising between states, the Security Council, in our view, should first of all address the underlying causes through confidence-building measures encompassing both military and non-military aspects such as political and socio-economic matters. It should reconcile the divergent security interests of the states concerned, pave the way for openness and transparency in military matters, seek restraint in acquiring armaments in accordance with national security needs, and encourage regional organizations to play an active role in initiating and implementing conflict prevention measures appropriate for a region. Mr. President, While the Security Council’s record in containing conflicts is note-worthy, we should, nonetheless, enhance its capabilities through more effective global and regional mechanisms for conflict prevention which could defuse crisis situations and prepare the ground for peace-making. It is clear that the machinery for pre-empting conflicts and disasters are not as effective as they should be and calls for a reassessment of the existing approaches as well as the exploration of new modalities which warrant our serious consideration. These include inter alia: First, the General Assembly, as a universal forum, has an important role to play in the maintenance of international peace and security. Hence, its capacity to recommend appropriate conflict preventive measures must be recognized. Second, the importance of periodic review by the Security Council of situations that are prone to conflicts cannot be over-emphasized. It will alert the Council to the dangers inherent in a situation and to undertake preventive measures as foreseen in the Charter. Third, socio-economic development is a crucial component in preventing conflicts as in healing wounds after conflicts have occurred. Support of the member states to the efforts of the United Nations system with regard to preventive activities and to provide necessary assistance for developmental purposes would be imperative. Fourth, in this context, projections by the ECOSOC of socio-economic problems that might lead to a breakdown of the political system and attendant crisis and formulating strategies to deal with those explosive situations would make a significant contribution. This can be augmented by a closer collaboration between members of ECOSOC and the Security Council that can deal comprehensively with potential crisis as well as among various relevant agencies. Fifth, the Secretary-General also has a role to play to consult on a regular basis with the states concerned, in monitoring and bringing potentially dangerous situations to the attention of the General Assembly and the Security Council as well as convey his own views and recommendations. The member states, on their part, should support the efforts of the Secretary-General by providing adequate and timely information and appropriate assistance in implementing relevant recommendations. Mr. President, In South-East Asia, members of ASEAN realize that the persistence of conflicts would inevitably lead to the weakening of the region as a whole and have therefore demonstrated a strong desire for peaceful relations. Cooperative and equal security for all states which prevail in our region is widely acknowledged to be preventive in nature while its infrastructure is being further strengthened. Consequently, there is a general expectation of peaceful settlement of disputes. It is in this spirit that the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) reflects the determination of the Asia Pacific countries to ensure a peaceful and stable political and security environment for their peoples. Thus, the ARF is an exercise in conflict prevention as it deals with inter and intra-regional relations in such a way that a new relationship based on the recognition of mutuality of interests could evolve gradually and peacefully. The ARF may well turn out to be an effective mechanism to deter conflicts in this part of the world. My delegation also wishes to draw attention to the technique of Workshops adopted by Indonesia in dealing with a potentially explosive situation in the South China Sea involving over-lapping claims of sovereignty and the resulting dispute over the exploration and exploitation of resources. The latest of the Workshops, held in Jakarta in December 1998, agreed, among others, to undertake a study on guidelines and a code of conduct on the South China Sea. The Workshop cited confidence-building measures as essential to minimize tension, prevent conflict, promote cooperation and create an atmosphere conducive to the peaceful settlement of disputes. As a result of the Workshop process, we now have a sizable and still growing body of concrete and constructive proposals for cooperation in the South China Sea in fields that offer much common ground and promise large benefits to all peoples of the area. Mr. President, In conclusion, we should place conflict prevention that affect regional peace and international security at the top of our agenda while improving and strengthening the capacity of the United Nations in this field. They constitute the corner-stone of the Organization’s endeavors for peace. I thank you, Mr. President.
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