Arroyo expects RP to secure UN Security Council seat

NEW YORK (via PLDT) — The Philippines’ relentless campaign against global terrorism will secure its claims to a seat in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), President Arroyo said here yesterday.

The President, however, acknowledged the need for the UN to institute "reforms" within its system to make it more relevant to new challenges the world has to face after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks that reduced the twin towers of the World Trade Center to rubble.

"But the UN continues to be relevant and essential. If it will not exist, we will have to invent it," she said.

Mrs. Arroyo, who arrived here early Thursday to attend the 58th UN General Assembly meeting, echoed the call for reforms in the UN to strengthen its role in the battle against international terrorism.

"As far as we’re concerned, we believe that the countries (in the UN) are all fighting against terrorism. They all want peace and stability," she said.

The President added, "We have more in common than things that are different from one another. What we will do is to find common ground and bring the various groups together on important contentious issues."

She alluded to a prevailing impasse at the UN, wherein the United States has yet to gain the support of other superpowers in the UNSC for the reconstruction of post-war Iraq.

The President made the first move in the country’s bid to have a seat in the council when she met yesterday with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan at UN headquarters.

"I met with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and sealed our bid for the UNSC seat. It is heartwarming to know that we enjoy the trust and confidence of Asian nations in this bid," she said.

Mrs. Arroyo added she is "confident that the vote of the Asian bloc will be respected by other regional blocs as is the tradition in the UN."

She cited that the Philippines spearheaded the region’s anti-terrorism campaign, which was joined by Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia and Australia.

"Asia shares many commonalities in the security field and the Philippines will be honored to advocate and spearhead these commonalities in the (UNSC)," the President said.

Mrs. Arroyo also said the Philippines has been "working closely" with the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) to facilitate the government’s peace process with Muslim rebels in Mindanao.

The President noted that she is one of the four "non-OIC members" who have been invited by Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad to attend this year’s OIC summit to be held in Kuala Lumpur from Oct. 18 to 19. The three other invited "non-OIC members" are Russia, Ghana and Sri Lanka.

"So these are the reasons I think why we are voted as a common candidate and I see our role in the UN Security Council as working to promote the Asian point of view," she said.

The Philippines is the lone nominee for Asia, and needs at least 130 votes or the support of two-thirds of the present 191 member-countries of the UN to get the seat.

Mrs. Arroyo commended the country’s former permanent representative to the UN, Ambassador Alfonso Yuchengco, "for working assiduously on this diplomatic effort" which she said was continued by his successor, Ambassador Lauro Baja.

Giving the Philippine media delegation here a glimpse of her scheduled 20-minute address before the UN General Assembly on Friday morning (New York time), the President said she will formally declare the country’s intentions to secure its bid to join the ranks of the UNSC’s non-permanent members.

"It’s a very great honor for the Philippines. It’s not a rotation. You have to be chosen by your peer countries," she said.

Mrs. Arroyo said it is the second time the Philippines will have a seat in the council. The first time was 25 years ago.

"Especially at a very, very difficult time for the UN like this, it’s really a significant job for the Philippines," she said.

Mrs. Arroyo said she is happy that Baja, "a very seasoned and experienced diplomat," will assume this seat for the country at the UN Security Council when it tackles a resolution proposed by the US for the post-war reconstruction in Iraq.

"Our general policy direction is that the UN should play a bigger role in Iraq and of course, we agreed that as soon as possible, the Iraqi people should be the ones to run their country," she said.

The President said that as to the timetable for reconstruction efforts, "those are things that need to be discussed. Our role is to look for the commonality and try to achieve consensus."