THE PHILIPPINES AND THE SECURITY COUNCIL: UP TO THE CHALLENGE AND READY TO FULFILL GIVEN MANDATE

With the election of the Philippines to the United Nations Security Council today, Foreign Affairs Secretary Blas F. Ople expressed his deep appreciation to the members of the United Nations for supporting the bid of the Philippines for a seat in the United Nations Security Council as one its ten non-permanent members.  Secretary Ople also said that the Philippines is prepared to face the challenges of being a member and is ready to fulfill the mandate given by the members of the United Nations. 

“The election of the Philippines to the UN Security Council is a badge of honor among nations that vindicates the leadership of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo,”  the Secretary said.

“On behalf of the Philippines, I would like to thank the members of the United Nations for their support and confidence.  This is an honor and a privilege as well as an immense responsibility.  We are prepared to face the challenges of being a member of the Council and we are ready to fulfill the mandate that was given to us today by the members of the United Nations,” Secretary Ople said. 

“We have studied all these issues carefully and have crafted our policies and approaches.  We are ready to carry out our work in the Security Council,” he said.

“I would like to thank in particular, the members of the Asian Group, which endorsed our candidature,” Secretary Ople added, saying that “We were endorsed by the Asian group as its sole candidate for the Asian seat in the Security Council.”

In elections held today at the United Nations in New York, the United Nations General Assembly, by a vote of 179 out of 182 votes cast, elected the Philippines to the United Nations Security Council for the term 2004-2005.

This will be the fourth time that the Philippines will be in the Council.  The Philippines was an active member of the Council in 1957, 1963 and 1980.

The Secretary said that one of the primary tasks of the Philippines, as a member of the Council would be to help heal the divisions that were brought about by the military action in Iraq and the early return of Iraq to its people. “These are important challenges and we hope to do our part in successfully facing these challenges. Important steps have already been taken to address these challenges and we hope to continue to build on what has already been started,” the Secretary said. “We must also exert every effort to help strengthen multilateralism and the rule of law,” he added.

Consensus building, particularly on the more difficult areas, will characterize the term of the Philippines on the Security Council, according to Secretary Ople.

“We intend to help in building consensus on issues before the Council.  Consensus building will characterize our term in the Security Council,” Secretary Ople said.

Consultation with the members of the Council and with concerned parties will also characterize the term of the Philippines in the Security Council. “We intend to work very closely with all the members of the Council and to consult and dialogue with all parties concerned on particular issues,” the Secretary said. 

He emphasized that the Philippines had already started its consultations with interested countries and will continue to do so. “We have already started our political consultations with other countries on the issues that are likely to be before the Security Council during our term,” the Secretary said.

The Secretary also congratulated Algeria, Benin, Brazil and Romania for their election to the Security Council today, reiterating that the Philippines is ready to work with all the members of the Security Council.

The Philippines will be joining the Security Council at a time when grave challenges continue to threaten the peace and security of mankind and at a time when many questions have been raised as to the ability of the United Nations to address these challenges.

“These are not easy times for the Security Council.  The role of the Council, its powers and its abilities are under scrutiny and are being questioned.  The Philippines remains committed to the letter and the spirit of the Charter of the United Nations and continues to be confident in the central role of the United Nations, particularly the Security Council, to carry out its responsibility in preserving peace and stability,” Secretary Ople said.

“The Council is faced with many complex problems which call on all of our collective and creative energies.  We remain confident in the role of the Council and keep faith with the common and sincere desire of all nations to prevent future conflicts and to resolve current ones in a just, meaningful, and peaceful manner,” Secretary Ople said.

In addition to the current issues before the Council, Secretary Ople said that he anticipated that, for the first time in many years, a number of issues relating to Asia might also be on the Security Council agenda.

 “For the first time in many years, several issues relating to Asia might reach the Security Council.  The situation in the Korean Peninsula, if not resolved by countries in the region, could possibly go before the Council. The tensions in South Asia, aside from the issue of Kashmir, could also find itself on our agenda.  There is a chance that the issue of Iran, if not completely addressed within the context of the IAEA, might also be brought to the Council.  Other potential conflicts in Asia, particularly those involving territorial and maritime disputes might also be brought to the Council,” the Secretary said.

“In many instances, these issues have a decidedly nuclear dimension,” the Secretary added.

Which, according to the Secretary, makes the work of the Council on addressing the issue of weapons of mass destruction of increasing importance.  “These situations, in addition to the clear need to prevent terrorists from having access to weapons of mass destruction, makes the work of the Security Council even more vital in maintaining peace.  We intend to do our part,” Secretary Ople said.

The war against terrorism will also be a priority of the Philippines in the Security Council.  “We intend to bring to the Council the zeal, determination and commitment that we showed in our own national and regional fight against terror,” the Secretary said. 

“We will join the other members of the Council in concentrating the efforts of the international community on fighting terrorism,” the Secretary added, saying “We will work closely with the other members of the Council in carrying out the work of the Counter-Terrorism Council.”

On 28 September 2001, acting under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter (concerning threats to international peace and security), the Security Council adopted Resolution 1373 (2001), reaffirming its unequivocal condemnation of the terrorist attacks which took place in New York, Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania on 11 September 2001, and expressing its determination to prevent all such acts.

Resolution 1373 also established the Counter-Terrorism Committee (known by its acronym: the CTC), made up of all 15 members of the Security Council. The CTC monitors the implementation of resolution 1373 by all States and tries to increase the capability of States to fight terrorism.

“In all our actions as a member of the Security Council, we will also be guided by our national interests.  These interests coincide with the common desire of all nations to maintain peace and stability, prevent conflict, and promote the rule of law,” Secretary Ople said. END