On October 10, 2000, Colombia, Ireland, Mauritius, Norway and Singapore were voted in as the new Elected (non-permanent) Members of the Security Council for the 2001-2002 term. Results of the vote count can be seen here. Coverage of the run-up to election can be found below.
Unlike the wheeling and dealing of previous elections - this year the campaigns have been quietly conducted. Singapore is said to be all but certain as a new member on the Council, with the backing of the Asian group of member states. Likewise, Colombia with support from the Latin and Caribbean group is quite sure to be elected. Sudan, the nominee from the African group, is opposed by powerful non-African members, who have made their own candidate of the tiny island of Mauritius. Amongst the 'Western European and Other' group is a hot contest between Ireland, Norway and Italy - with Ireland championing its voice for the 'smaller states' and Italy quietly confident that it will to return to the Council for its 6th term. The vote will be held on October 10, 2000.
General Articles on Candidates
Delegates Scramble for
Votes (October 11, 2000)
The last minute scurry to sway the vote, the President of the GA had to remind
the delegates "...that we are in the middle of an election. All campaigning
on the floor should stop." (Earth Times)
US Politicking Keeps
Sudan off UN Security Council (October 11, 2000)
Deals
between Sudan and the US failed as the US forcefully supported Mauritius as
an elected member to the Council. Holbrooke's comment starkly reveals the
real wheeling and dealing behind Council elections. (Associated Press)
Mauritius Solicits the
Support of China (October 10, 2000)
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Anil Gayan states, "Mauritius wishes
to be treated as a country with all the qualities necessary to be a member
of the Security Council. The vote will be today. We will see." (L'Express)
War-torn Sudan Adds Fire
to UN Race (October 9, 2000)
The debate over the African seat grows. Sudan is criticized and Mauritius
has the backing of the US. (Toronto Globe and Mail)
To-the-Wire Fighting for
UN Seats (October 6, 2000)
Another background piece on the debate over the African seat and the contest
between the three WEOG candidates for the next Security Council term 2001-2002.
(New York Times)
Ireland Campaigning for
Seat at the Security Council (September 30, 2000)
Ireland's odds for the SC seat were lengthened when Italy "belatedly
threw its hat in the ring" last March. Gulf States and African countries
are said to support the Irish bid. Will the "luck of the Irish"
come through? (Earth Times)
Italy Makes its Case
for Seat at the Security Council (September 29, 2000)
If votes lean toward granting equal representation to all WEOG countries,
the fact that competitors Ireland and Norway have served fewer terms in the
council could hurt Italy's chances. But have they done their "Fulci formula"
count? (Earth Times)
Norway Seeks Greater
Role on International Stage (September 28, 2000)
Issues of support for Norway's canditure for the SC, are the position to contribute
to the UN system in making it "more open to female power" and the long and
active involvement in conflict prevention and resolution. (Earth Times)
UN Gets Set to Vote on
Filling Security Council Seats (September 27, 2000)
Overview of the current candidates, predictions and the election lowdown.
(Earth Times)
Arab League Backs Sudan's
Bid for UN Security Council Seat (September 20, 2000)
Secretary-general of the Arab League, Dr Ismat Abd-al-Majid states that Sudan
is backed by both the Arab League and the African states. (Suna News/BBC)
US Lobbies for Sudan
Ban (September 14, 2000)
The US is lobbying support to block Sudan's canditature for the Council, reasoning
that Sudan is not fit, as it was the subject of UN sanctions, and its air
force had bombed areas where UN relief operations were based in southern Sudan.
(BBC)
Albright Lobbies UN
on Sudan Seat (September 13, 2000)
The US believes there is disagreement over whether Sudan had the support
of a majority of African countries. However, Egypt and Ethiopia have jointly
requested that the UN lift sanctions against Sudan, and Egypt told Albright
that it supported Sudan. (Associated Press)
Colombia's Speech to
the General Assembly (September 12, 2000)
Colombia has the support of the Latin American states for election to the
Security Council according to this statement by the Minister for Foreign Affairs
at the GA.
Fierce Contest for UN Seats
(August 23, 2000)
With doubts regarding Sudan's suitability, the West has encouraged a contest
for the African seat on the Council by favoring the entry of Mauritius as
a candidate. However, the tiny island's suitability is also questionable,
considering that Mauritius has recently been painted as the new haven of illicit
money. (Earth Times News Service)
Sudanese Contradictions
(August, 19, 2000)
After a period of isolation when the world community treated this country
with deep suspicion and apprehension, Sudan has achieved a respectable level
of success in its foreign policies and is even poised to become a member of
the Security Council with the backing of Egypt. (Economist)
Irish Lobby for Election to a Seat on Security Council (August 10, 2000)
Ireland's campaign has been conducted quietly. However, Ireland has been working for two years on the election. Its strongest points are: a long-standing contribution to UN peacekeeping, commitment to international nuclear disarmament and increased development aid. Also, compared to competitors Italy and Norway, Ireland has only been on the Council for 3 years (Italy 10 years and Norway 6). (Irish Times)
Top of the World; Ireland in Bid for SC Seat (August 8, 2000)
Putting forward the views of smaller states is Ireland's tactic in the election run for the Security Council seat. So far Ireland has spent
(Irish Pounds)1.2
million in lobbying and is believed to have made contact with all but two of the 188 countries at the
UN since 1998.
Minister Welcomes Nomination for UN Security Council Membership (July 6, 2000)
Sudan's Minister of External Relations appreciated the support of African nations in the nomination of his country for the candidacy of an elected UN Security Council seat. (BBC)
Norway Candidate for a Seat on the Security Council for the Term 2001 – 2002
As a candidate for the UN Security Council elected membership, Norway highlighted
its contributions to the UN and its future aspirations as qualities for its
electability. (Permanent
Mission of Norway to the UN)
Singapore's Bid for UN Security Council
Looks Good, Minister Says (March 9, 2000)
Hopeful to become an elected member of the UN Security Council, the Singaporean
Foreign Minister expressed his enthusiasm to bring in the perspective of the
"small states" to the UN Security Council. (Deutsche Presse-Agentur)
Links to Candidate's Campaigns for Election
Candidates for SC seats in 2001-2002 given in alphabetical order.
Colombia
Colombia advocates its ability to understand "particular sensitivities
with regard to many conflicts that are discussed at the Security Council",
and its experience as an active member of multilateral organizations as its
strengths to bring to the Council.
Ireland
Extracts
from Ireland's brochures from the Department of Foreign Affairs, advocating
their nomination for the Council with strong participation in peacekeeping.
Italy
Of the "WEOG" group, Italy has served on the Council for the greatest
number of years, perhaps this is why Italy is quietly conducting its campaign.
Italy advocates its high ranking for its UN contributions, cancelling foreign
debt, and its work on Security Council reform. Link to Italy's
Mission website.
Norway
The Norwegian candidature is endorsed by the other Nordic countries of Denmark,
Finland, Iceland and Sweden. Conducting a quiet campaign, Norway advocates
its committment to the UN and contributions to PKOs.
Mauritius
Link to the Prime Minister's Office website. No information on Council elections.
Singapore
Link to their Permanent Mission section of the Government web-site. Does not
contain any information on the elections.
Sudan
No information available.
More Information on Previous Security Council Elections
Table of Security Council Membership 1946 to Present
Tables of Ambassadors on the Security Council and Sanctions Committees
