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Transcript of the press conference by Amb. Dr. R.M. Marty M. Natalegawa, 2 November 2007.
Very good afternoon, may I thank you for your patience and for the opportunity for us to be able to be here this afternoon. The intention of the presidency of the Security Council this afternoon is to share the program of work for the month of November. My name is Marty Natalegawa, I am the Permanent Representative of Indonesia and for this month of November I shall ….the Security Council’s works. I know that the tentative program of provisional program of the Council has been circulated, I think it’s quite self explanatory in manner. The program of work has been approved by the Council earlier this morning at the consultation. If I may just hopefully, briefly identify some the key elements of that provisional program by way of quick introduction. It will be evident from the program that there will be urgent issues in Asia and the Middle that will be tackled in the month of November. For example, on the 5th of November there will be consultation to consider the Secretary General report on the implementation of the resolution 1559. That will be on the 5th of November, and we expect during that occasion, the Council will hear a briefing by special envoy…..for that purpose. Also to do with Lebanon we see that on the 29th of November the Council will hear and consider the 1701 of the report. That should be indicated in the afternoon rather in the morning of the 29th of November. In Asia, in matter to do with Asia, the Council consider the issue of Myammar, I know that subject in an interest by some of us here, and indicated in the provisional program of work in the foot note and of course at the appropriate time when Prof. Gambari return from his visit to the region to Myammar and no doubt the Council will benefit from his insight and other qualities when he comes back to New York. African issue, and again there are quite a few issues on the program of work. This will illustrate on the 13th of November there will be a briefing on the great lake of region. This is on account of the fact that the special envoy….will be in New York, and therefore the Council thought that it will be useful to benefit from hearing a briefing by special envoy Mr. Joaquim Chissano that day. We have also a consultation on the Sudan plan on the 26th of November 2007. This would be by special envoy Ian Ellison, and naturally that should be on the progress of the…..in Libya. So that would be something we shall be looking forward on the 26th of November. Burundi on the 28th of November we’ll plan a private debate. This on the account of the fact that we will have the facilitator of the Burundi process, the South African Safety and Security Minister, Mr. Nqkula, who will brief the Council members for that purpose. Colleague has also noted at the foot note of the program of work, Somalia is still at the moment appearing at the foot note, but the intention for the Council is to consider the matter as soon as the Secretary General report on Somalia on the status of whether the contingency planning for the possible deployment of UN Peace Keeping operation is out then Somalia will be considered by the Council. In addition to issues to Africa, there are couple of issue, one issue I think in Europe that relates to the EUFOR in Bosnia Harzegovina which appear on several days on the provisional program of work but essentially it relates to the need to look at the mandate of the EUFOR that will end, the authorization of the UEFOR that will end on the 21st of November 2007. And finally if I may, there will be several thematic issues that will be considered during the month of November. One of course that we’ve had this morning, namely a private debate involving the President of the of the ITJ, Dr. Rosalyn Higgins, Judge Rosalyn Higgins, and then later on next week, early next week on the 5th of November Indonesia as the President of the Council will convene a Ministerial level open debate with the theme the Role of the Regional and Sub Regional….in the Maintenance of International peace and security. And for this purpose the Council will be presided by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, Hassan Wirajuda. Number of regional organizations, in addition to the Ministers of Council’s member states, a number of regional and sub regional organizations have been invited to participate in the said open debate. We hope we have a presidential statement as an outcome of the open debate on the thematic debate, but the expert are going through the discussion on that particular issue. That is what I wish to share really in term of the Council work because as I said that it is quite evident. There is also report by counter terrorism committee, a joint report by the CTC and the 1257 and 1240 Committees on the 14th of November. And there will be other activities as well indicated in the program, including the presentation of the Security Council annual report to the General Assembly as well as there on the 15th and 16th on what so called finished workshop that is held annually for those newly elected members of the Council. This time on the 15th and the 16th of November. That is what I wish to say at this time. Q-A: Q: On Myammar, I would like to ask you on behalf of the UNCA, I will like to know what is the Security Council position on this trip of Mr. Gambari. Has the Council involved in the instruction given to him, how to get the UN demands of course, the military problem in there? And also can you commend on the exclusion of the UN Representative in Myammar. A: Well, only the first question, the Security Council and Prof. Gambari’s mission. I think the position of the Council has been well reflected in the last presidential statement that has been adopted recently, which is for Indonesia, this is a very encouraging statement in the sense that the first time the Council was able to speak with one voice. And the various discussion and thoughts which that expressed in the statement and the contain in that statement supporting President, I mean special envoy Prof. Gambari stand. And we recognize that Prof. Gambari has important task, important mission to carry out and the Council will as I tried to illustrate it now in my outline of the Council’s work. We anticipate that when Prof. Gambari returns from his visit at an appropriate time there will be briefing by Prof. Gambari to the Council. Now, in relation to your second question, about the latest development I see the fact that the UN resident coordinator, Mr. Charles Petrie, obviously this is not the matter that has been considered by the Council as a whole because this has been recently brought to our attention and has not been benefited from the Council collective consideration. But as Indonesia, rather than as President of the Council but rather than Indonesia, obviously if confirmed this development as appear to be at some what left as consistent then the rejection of the positive step on the part of Myammar authority in working together with the United Nations. But I can only speak there as Indonesia and again if confirmed and need to confirm, and it is our hope as Indonesia that the Myammar authority will continue to show the most and the best level of cooperation with the United Nations as we understand they have to do over the past several weeks. Q: Mr. President, do you expect a presidential statement on Monday, next Monday, after the briefing of Mr. ….(?) A: Well, obviously I can not preempt what will be outcome of the briefing in relation to resolution 1559 next week on the 5th of November. It will be the Council once the Council has briefed by the 1559 to decide how to proceed next. In other words I must respond you that I may not be able confirm either way. But I know at the same time as Indonesia, I am aware that the Council is informed and knowledgeable of the development in the ground, council members. And it wants to be sure that however it is the response the report which is in the manner to be helpful and constructive to the development in ground. But I can’t to be honest either there will be a presidential statement or other instrument because it is something to be decided then. Q: On 1701, do you expect …(unheard…) to come and brief the Council on the 1701? A: That I have to confirm with the Secretariat on who is going to briefing us on 1701. Q: …..(not clear)…. A: Yes, that’s correct. Q: You when, may be not under your presidency, but when you expect him to come and brief the Council? A: Yes, you are correct. That report due out on the 27th of November, in other word toward the end of our presidency, so it highly unlikely that it will be discussed during the month of November. So my impression, my guess, that the next presidency and the Italy will want to take this early on in the presidency, but the to be subject to be discuss of next month, not this month. Q: During your presidency I know it has been anticipated to have ElBaradei is going to have his report to on Iran. I don’t hear any reflection on here, and also you could mention whether your presidency will finish before the Bali Conference on Climate change. Do you intend to get that discussed at the Security Council? A: On the other issue that you mentioned, the first issue that you mentioned, during the discussion at the bilateral that we had with the concerned delegation, the impression was that to keep the issue appearing on the foot note rather than under the non proliferation, rather than the main body of the program of work. That’s how as best reflect as we are now. No doubt of course the interest of delegations or delegation of there were to be further development will bring this to the attention of the presidency and will try elevate or move the issue onto calendar proper. But that you can be sure that the shaping form of the program of work is one that has benefited from the input of the delegation concerned and early this morning all the Council members has agreed to this. But in short this will be a very dynamic agenda, program, but this may require the necessary adjustment. Q: On the climate change? A: O yeah, on the climate change, there is no plan at this time the conference of Bali some how factor into Council’s work. I am aware that that earlier under the UK presidency there was a thematic debate about the link between security and climate change. I think I was the last occasion when the Council has expressed a view, member states of the Council expressed a view on the issue. But at this time there is no plan to factor or to relate between the work of the Council in November and event in Bali early in December. Q: Ambassador, I see that during the last weeks of the month, the Security Council especially and the Mission……(not clear..) A: Yes….(not clear) has should been made that it has more illustrative because that raise the question of the type you asked. The Mission will be once to Timor Leste, and it will not be not a full pledge Security Council Mission in the sense that the entire Security Council members will be participating but I gather there are some 6 or 7 council members have already confirmed to take part in this mission. And the terms of reference of the mission is being discussed actively over the past several weeks. But once we have more clear idea what the terms of reference of the mission we’ll always be very happy to share with you. But that mission will be for Timor Leste. Q: Thank you. Two questions please. For the Ministerial debate on Tuesday, I see 3-5 ministers are coming there. And my second question is, if Iranian nuclear ..how much do you see the Council will conduct… (Ambassador): beg your pardon? A: On the first issue, in terms of who will be attending the Ministerial level at the round table, at the open debate on the role of regional and sub regional organization, we are still now, just now we are receiving different responses from various countries. I haven’t yet information wether the P5 ministers will be attending, but this will share with you as soon as we have reply from the country concerned. But we are aware of the constraint that of this kind of effort requires plenty of notice ahead, especially when it involves ministers. But I think it is not only about the level of participation that is important as long the quality the debate is significant, it will be a job well done. On the issue of proliferation, you know the simple answer would be every issue will appear on the program of work. Including those are appearing as a foot note and even are those not here we have to be anticipating and this work, as the president of the Council, Indonesia, they have to ready itself to discuss all manner of issue that the Council deems to effect international peace and security. Both as President of the Council and as Indonesia we always ready to contribute to the discussion such the one you just mentioned just now. Q: Actually I wanted to ask you with one thing that is not the foot note and one thing that it is. The situation in Georgia, we had a briefing in here a couple days ago with the Georgian Mission. You know he was talking about the problem there that …that UNAMET Mission and most recently they have called for the withdrawal of the CIAS Peace Keepers. Some I am wondering if there has been any request by any mission to pit in the agenda. Do you think it will come in this month? A: Well. You are correct. It is not in the agenda for the month of November and there is no plan for the issue to be discussed in Council during the month of November. At the same time of course, in the same manner as I have said earlier, if the situation requires it, if any request by particular member state on the matter then the rest of the members agree to such request, of course as president we will be facilitating that request. But as it stands, this is how it is and Georgia is not on the calendar, on the agenda. Q: ……(not clear)…..for the new member, the new coming in, ….how is it determine, what the new entrance, what issue that draft of resolution on. Is there any, that different countries get, you keep saying the countries concerned. There was a complain during this month….France draft the resolution on Ivory Coast. But who, how is gonna to be determined as this country coming in and on which issue they will be the drafter or how it works for you when you came in. A: Well. I think there is more formal and there
is more informal as the response to your question. The formal is the
most straight forward one in the sense of the distribution of the
responsibility vis a vis chairman of various committees and working
groups of the Council. And that is something that is shared by council
members, by non elected council members on a basis which is to be
determined by council members. For example, only recently I was told,
my self, since only having just arrived in New York couple of months
ago, I was told that Indonesia will be chairing the working group
on peace keeping and also on sanction committee on Rwanda? Sanction
committee on Rwanda. So that is the more formal aspect of things.
Now in relation to the less formal one, in the sense of certain delegation
taking the leads in certain resolution I gather this kind of thing
develop over time and certain practice and convention and expectation
built. Now as Indonesia, I can’t speak on this on behalf of
the presidency, but as Indonesia, obviously we always very keen to
emphasize that in the final analyses that the entire membership of
the Council, the 15 members of the Council would need to have the
opportunity to have the quality discussion, quality deliberation on
various resolutions or draft resolution before them. And not simply
to have something drafted elsewhere and to be simply endorsed. And
that is Indonesia national thought and impression, but as long as
the same time we are mindful of the fact that there are occasions
when certain to be shape ward and pushed forward by certain delegation
as long as the principle of open ended-ness is maintained. In other
words, it is not a closed effort that delegation wanted to join such
endeavor can do so. And I think that will be quite satisfactory compromise.
as long as does not distract from the work of the council as a whole.
Q: Thank you. There are two questions. One I just wonder if any thing that Council is prepared doing…..and two, as I see the debate on the 21st…any more specific …? A: Yes. On the Middle East is indicated that there has been to be a debate on the 21st of November. This is one of those monthly briefing that we receive from the Under Secretary General Lynn Pascoe. But at this time, as part of the pattern that we have begun to adopt, we having this in the format of debate. In other words, there will briefing held at the chamber and there will occasion to be able to hear responses to the briefing. Now, the issue that you mentioned in relation to Gaza is something that has been raised on several occasions at all these various briefings and no doubt it will again be raised on the 21st. But I can only speak again as Indonesia rather than president of the Council. Indonesia has been keenly interested in wanting to show that any humanitarian hardship is quickly alleviated and that no worsening the situation count as a result of unwanted practices. Thank you very much for your patience and I do look
forward to collaboration in the month ahead and thank you again. Thank
you very much!
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