August 10, 2000
Intense lobbying by the Government for an seat on the United Nations Security Council will come to a head next month during visits by the Taoiseach and the Minister for Foreign Affairs to UN headquarters in New York. Mr Ahern will attend the Millennium Summit on the future role of the UN on September 6th to 8th and Mr Cowen is due to address the General Assembly later in the month.
However, in addition to their formal duties, both men will be canvassing support for a Security Council place as part of a campaign started two years ago. Although considerable resources have been invested in the campaign, it has been conducted quietly and with minimum publicity ("They are low-balling it," an insider said.) A four-member special unit of the Department of Foreign Affairs is working on the issue full-time, in co-operation with the Irish mission at the UN in New York led by the Permanent Representative, Mr Richard Ryan.
The proposal for an Irish candidacy was advanced in the 1996 White Paper on foreign policy and the campaign was formally started two years later. Ireland is competing for one of two vacancies in the Western European and other states group of the UN, against Italy and Norway.
All 188 member-states are entitled to vote in the secret ballot. Polling day has not been agreed but is expected to be sometime in October. Each member-state has two votes and successful candidates must have the support of two-thirds of those present and voting. There is provision for further voting if both vacancies are not filled in the first round.
Ireland's long-standing contribution to UN peacekeeping, especially in Lebanon, is seen as its strongest selling-point in the election. Other points being stressed are the Irish commitment to international nuclear disarmament, increased development aid and universal human rights. Sources pointed out that, although Ireland has been a member of the UN since 1955, it has served as a Security Council member for only three of those years - 1962 and 1981 to 1982 - compared with six years for Norway and 10 years for Italy.
Tangible benefits for Ireland are difficult to quantify but participation in the Council by small and medium sized member-states is considered essential for the proper functioning of the UN. The Council has the power to impose diplomatic or economic sanctions in the interests of international peace and security and its resolutions are binding on member states. If non-violent methods prove inadequate, the Council may, as a last resort, take military action. "It is quite a serious obligation," senior sources said.
The £1.2 million campaign is now approaching a climax and so far this year Mr Cowen has held meetings with 47 member-states to seek their support. Norway is seen as a very strong rival given its commitment to the UN and involvement in various peace processes.
Italy is also considered formidable, although sources said the fact of having served on the Council within the last five years might be considered a disadvantage by members who favour a more general rotation of seats. Ireland has not been slow to highlight the fact that it has not held a seat for 18 years. Italy entered the race in early 1999 and Turkey withdrew its candidacy early this year. "The Italians have a fairly strong commitment to winning elections in the UN system," said one insider.
