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Report of the Open-ended Working Group on the Question of Equitable Representation on and Increase in the Membership of the Security Council and Other Matters Related to the Security Council

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Annex VIII

LETTER DATED 23 MAY 1997 FROM THE PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF LEBANON TO THE UNITED NATIONS ADDRESSED TO THE VICE-CHAIRMEN OF THE WORKING GROUP*


You may recall that in my statement of 9 May 1997 before the Open-Ended Working Group I indicated that the States members of the League of Arab States were preparing a working paper to be presented soon for the consideration of the Working Group.

I am pleased to attach herewith the working paper that the States members of the League of Arab States have adopted by consensus. The States members of the League believe that by presenting this working paper they are exhibiting a strong commitment to play a more active role in the main thrust of the United Nations, i.e., the maintenance of international peace and security.

On behalf of the States members of the League of Arab States, I wish to ask Your Excellencies to kindly ensure the proper distribution and consideration of this working paper by the Open-Ended Working Group.


(Signed) Samir MOUBARAK
Permanent Representative of
Lebanon to the United Nations
Chairman of the Arab Group


Appendix

[Original: Arabic]

GROUP OF ARAB STATES: WORKING PAPER ON INCREASE IN THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL AND REFORM OF ITS WORKING METHODS


1. The States members of the Group of Arab States, in common with all other Member States, are extremely interested in the issue of equitable representation on and increase in the membership of the Security Council and other matters related to the Security Council. They believe that the maintenance of international peace and security is a collective responsibility which calls for the active and tireless participation of all. The Group of Arab States wishes to play an effective role and to increase its participation in this regard.

2. The Group of Arab States considers that the process of increasing the membership of the Security Council and the reform of its working methods and decision-making process are complementary, and should be carried out with complete transparency. The process should result in a Security Council which represents Member States fairly and works effectively on their behalf. The Group supports the position adopted by the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries with regard to the issue of the increase in the membership and reform of the Security Council.

3. The 21 Arab States Members of the United Nations represent approximately 12 per cent of the total number of States Members. Pursuant to resolution 5336/100 adopted by the Council of the League of Arab States on 21 September 1993, the Arab States would like to put forward their views on the following issues:


A. Increase in the membership of the Security Council

4. The Arab States are in favour of an increase in the membership of the Security Council that respects the principles of equitable geographical representation and the sovereign equality of all Members of the United Nations. In accordance with the principle of equitable geographical distribution, the Group of Arab States requests the following:

(a) The allocation to the Group of at least two non-permanent seats on the Security Council;

(b) In the event of an increase in the number of permanent Security Council seats, the allocation to the Group of Arab States of a permanent seat with full privileges. This seat would rotate among the Arab States in accordance with the usual practice in the League of Arab States. The Group of Arab States affirms that this request would be implemented in consultation with the African and Asian regional groups, and with their understanding;

(c) The Group of Arab States stresses the need to maintain the procedure for electing non-permanent members of the Security Council, in accordance with article 23, paragraph 2, of the Charter of the United Nations.


B. Reform of the working methods of the Council

5. The Group of Arab States supports the position adopted by the Movement of Non-Aligned Countries with regard to reform of the working methods and decision-making process of the Security Council. It believes that:

(a) It is necessary to amend the Charter in order to phase out the use of the veto. As a preliminary step, its use should be curtailed and rationalized;

(b) Security Council procedure should be codified with a view to improving its working methods and accommodating agreed reforms.

 

C. Periodic review

6. The Group of Arab States believes that a conference should be held in order to review the Charter of the United Nations 10 years after the entry into force of the amendments to it. The review process should not be subject to use of the power of veto.


*Previously issued as A/AC.247/1997/CRP.7 of 9 July 1997.

 

 

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