Transcript of the press statement of the conference on Annapolis by the President of the Security Council, 30 November 2007

You are aware that the Security Council has held its monthly briefing. I will repeat again, the Security Council just had held a briefing by the Under Secretary General, Limbasko (?), just now. It was held in Chamber, so I am sure that you were able to follow attentively to what was said by Under Secretary General, Limbasko, and as usual the practice, following the meeting the Chamber the Council also has followed that up with consultation where the Council Members were able to respond to some of the comments had been made by, the briefing that just been made by Under Secretary general, Lembasko.

Now, during that discussion, during that response by the Council to the Under Secretary General briefing we as the President of the Council detach (?) and identify an overwhelming sense of welcome to the what was happening in Annapolis. I think the Council Members will be very appreciative of the US led effort in convening the Annapolis Conference, they recognize the significance of the Conference, the potential of the conference, and at the same time they see the need to encourage the parties concerned to follow diligently the joint understanding that was reached at the conference.

So that is essentially how the sense of the Council as I have been able to capture, namely one is appreciating the Annapolis conference, appreciating, welcoming the conference outcome, the conference itself, and also of course encouraging the parties to diligently follow the joint understanding that was reached.

Q-A:

Q: Ambassador, what happens to the US resolution? Drafted resolution…

Ambassador: I beg pardon!

Questioner: What happens to the US drafted resolution and why it was drawn and was replaced by any thing else or just the statement that you said now?

A: As I shared some of the collegue I think earlier today, from the Indonesia perspective and I think as well from the perspective of the presidency, we are not particularly focus on the form of possible Council response. Where we placed emphasis on the substance, in the sense of the unity of the purpose and common voice of the Council can echo and can convey. Now you are factually correct that we don’t have a drafted resolution to adopt this afternoon. That is quite factual but at the same time equally factual when I mentioned as I just did right now in term of substance there is sense of support, sense of welcoming to the Annapolis conference that I like to highlight it very much and also a sense and wish of encouragement to parties to follow up on the outcome of the joint understanding of the conference. One other point that I would like to emphasis that on various international issues that the Council has been ceased on. The Council has always been keen to emphasis the wishes of the position of supporting peace process any where in the world and wanting to be in position which is helpful and constructive. Now, perhaps the answer to your question, that point would be relevant. In other words, how could the Council be as a matter of fact and perceived to be constructive and supportive of the Annapolis conference and at this time the best shape and form of conveying that support is as I just now made, namely welcoming, supporting and encouraging the parties to diligently follow up the Annapolis conference result.

Q: Mr. President, ..is there problem..

Ambassador: O beg a pardon!

Questioner: Is there any problem with the draft?

A: I did say that so far the substance is concerned even the early discussion that we had there has been a very good sense of common understanding and common voice by the Council members. That is in term of substance. But as I said, in term of format is where we need to ask ourselves which is the best the shape and form and manner in which the members can be most useful and constructive to the parties concerned at this time. But as I said in the beginning as the Indonesia concern and I hope that I can speak on behalf of the presidency as well, we are more focus at this time on the substance that there is an absolutely clear message of Council unity in supporting Annapolis conference that there is achievement and not to be overly pre occupied at this time on the format or the form of the Council response.

Q: There were lot of flights over Lebanon in contradiction of all United Nations resolutions, particularly resolution 1701 (?). And we heard that Mr. Garciano expressed his concern and ask to stop that. However there was no response. What is your position as Indonesia where you participate in the UNIFEL and as the president of the Security Council?

A: Well, this matter that you just mentioned will be discussed by the Council later in December. As you know that the discussion on the Resolution 1701 has been deferred if not mistaken sometime later in the month of December. I should rather to delay my response to that particular question then. But you are correct in making reference to Indonesia in that kind of issue. I think if that reflective if we make our position known, but I can’t speak on what Security Council on what the Council view on 1701 including that particular episode that you mentioned because the discussion will need to be held next month and not this time.

Q: Don’t you think your country consult with parties before presenting resolution to the Security Council rather presenting it first then changing their mind and withdrawn what they had?

A: Well, there are always and means on how you proceed to be honest and some ways can make progress in certain issues but there may no on other issues. But it is not for me certainly because the lack of experience and knowledge in order to have to suggest the best way to proceed but I wouldn’t describe what had transpired today on the short coming on the any particular approach except to say once again the Council has been united in welcoming the outcome of the Annapolis conference. United in encouraging the parties to proceed diligently in following up that conference.

Thank you very much indeed. Thank you!