Indonesia again foils UNSC attempt to issue statement on Iran
June 12, 2007
Antara News
Original Source: http://www.antara.co.id/en/arc/2007/6/12/indonesia-again-foils-unsc-attempt-to-issue-statement-on-iran/


New York (ANTARA News) - The United Nations Security Council on Monday again failed to issue a press statement denouncing Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad`s statement on Israel’s destruction because Indonesia persistently opposed it on the ground that Mahmoud`s statement was mere rhetoric and the UNSC had often been unfair by always avoiding to give a reaction to issues affecting Palestine and others.

Meanwhile, Indonesia’s position was supported by a number of other UNSC member countries, including Qatar and China.

Monday’s UNSC meeting discussed the draft of the statement on Mahmoud that had been changed from the previous one which was discussed last Friday, and which was also opposed by Indonesia.

Some countries, including France, the United States, Belgium, Britain and Italy expressed regret about Indonesia`s stance which kept on refusing (to issue the press statement) but said they would continue their effort to issue the press statement.

They said that such a statement should be issued as the UNSC has previously issued two press statements in 2005, namely denouncing the Iranian President`s statement on wiping off Israel from the world map and the denying there ever was a Holocaust.

A United Nations Security Council resolution can still be passed despite opposition from several member nations but a Council press statement cannot be issued if it is not approved by all the Council`s 15 members.

France, as the nation that had proposed issuing the press statement, on Monday decided to hand over the authority to the United Nations Security Council’s President for June to seek the issuance of the press statement, particularly by negotiating with the Indonesian negotiator to bridge the Indonesian objections.

Sources said another meeting was expected to be held on Wednesday to pass the press statement. 

Qatar which previously said it would consult the central administration in Doha attended Monday’s meeting and gave full support to Indonesia.

China, according to international sources at the UN, said it favored the Indonesian objections although Ahmadinejad`s statement would not help settle the conflict.

Russia, meanwhile signaled its approval of the issuance of the press statement but stressed that it should be done with the approval of all parties.

Indonesian Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Hasan Kleib said although there were some changes to the statement Indonesia still found it difficult to agree to it.

He said in Indonesia`s view, Ahmadinejad`s statement was merely rhetoric and it could not be considered as a threat to international peace.

We often listen to the rhetorical tirades, not only between Iran and Israel but between other nations in conflict, he said..

He added there were still many more serious cases in the Middle East resulting from Israeli actions that need a settlement from the Council, including Israelis actions in arresting and jailing 45 members of the Palestinian Parliament. 

A spokesman of the French Permanent Representative to the UN, Axel Cruau, meanwhile told ANTARA he would be ready to change the draft of the press statement to bridge the objections raised by Indonesia and Qatar.

But he could not give detailed information about the change.