Ambassador Jack B. Wilmot
Ghana's Mission to the UNOctober 29, 1996
Mr. President,
I join others before me to extend our delegation's gratitude for the work carried out by the Open Ended Working Group on the Question of Equitable Representation on and Increase in the Membership of the Security Council during the 50th Session of this Assembly. We also express our appreciation to the vice-chairmen for their efficiency in guiding the Working Group and to the secretariat staff for their support.
Mr. President,
Our discussions on this issue for the past three years have revealed a broad agreement on the need to expand the Security Council and improve on its working methods by making it more transparent without eroding its efficiency.We have noted, with satisfaction, the measures adopted so far by the Security Council to infuse some transparency into its working methods and decision making processes since the Working Group started its work.
We recognize in particular, the increase in consultations between the Council and Troop Contributing Countries, and the scheduling of formal meetings which non-members are encouraged to attend and make presentations if they so desire. Equally noteworthy are the periodic consultative meetings between the President of the Council and the President of the General Assembly.
The institutionalization of these measures has been called for by several delegations, including mine, and we hope the Security Council will initiate steps in this direction. It is also imperative that the opinons and views of non-members of the Council expressed through these consultations are taken into consideration in the Council's deliberations and decision making. In general, enhanced coordination and synergy between the Security Council and the General Assembly is absolutely necessary to ensure a proper balance between the two bodies, as envisaged under the Charter.
Mr. President,
As we have stated on previous occasions, any restructuring of the Security Council, must take into full account the current geographical configuration of the general membership of the United Nations. It is the only way to ensure equity, accountability, representativity and credibility. And this is especially so when small countries are now increasingly called upon to bear a disproportionate burden for the maintenance of international peace and security, through the provision of troops and payment of assessed contributions for various United Nations peace-keeping missions.
Regarding the issue of expansion, Ghana subscribes to the position of the African Group which calls for at least two permanent seats and a proportionate number of non-permanent seats for the continent. On the question of veto, the delegation of Ghana is of the view that although there might have been good reasons for the veto power when the Charter was drawn, it is anachronistic in its present form and must be modified and limited to clearly defined situations within the context of chapter 7 of the UN Charter.
Our delegation suggests that consideration be given to a review of the number of negative votes that can constitute a veto in the Council and that additionally, a formula should be worked out under which a Council veto can be overridden by a certain number of votes in the General Assembly. But whatever decision is arrived at on the scope and parameters of the veto, it must be extended to any new Permanent Members of the Council, to conform to the principles of equity and sovereign equality which are the bedrock of the Charter of our Organization.
Mr. President,
The question of equitable representation on and increase in the membership of the Security Council has been under general discussion for over three years now. We feel that the time has come for serious negotiations to commence with a view to arriving at a consensus within a specified time frame. We of course recognize the complex nature of the subject but we are ready to join in any creative efforts to work out a meaningful compromise that would respond to our common objectives.
I thank you.
