UNITED NATIONS, Sept 23 (Hina) - Croatia considers the United Nations the place where international problems are solved, but the organisation needs reform, particularly its Security Council, so that it could maintain its credibility
and authority in the world, Croatian President Stjepan Mesic said in New York on Tuesday.
UNITED NATIONS, Sept 23 (Hina) - Croatia considers the United
Nations the place where international problems are solved, but the
organisation needs reform, particularly its Security Council, so
that it could maintain its credibility and authority in the world,
Croatian President Stjepan Mesic said in New York on Tuesday. #L#
Mesic said this in a speech at the beginning of the general debate at
the UN General Assembly's 58th session, which is expected to focus
on the situation in Iraq, the fight against terrorism, the Middle
East, and reform of the United Nations.
In his address to representatives from the 191 UN member-countries,
Mesic stressed the importance of the UN and the need to strengthen
its role.
"For us the United Nations is a central point for resolving problems
in international relations and for promoting the interests of
mankind," Mesic said.
Speaking about Iraq, Mesic said that Croatia did not have the
economic resources to participate as a donor in the reconstruction
of the country, but was "prepared to offer all its experience in
post-war reconstruction, especially its experience in
construction work as well as the knowledge and operative capacity
required for dealing with post-war renewal of trust, for
strengthening the country's stability, normalisation of life, and
the healing of wounds left by the war in the tissue of civil
society". Mesic added that he was particularly referring to the
knowledge and experience in the civil police training and work.
Stressing the importance of UN peace missions, Mesic said that the
UN was the "only global institution which can respond to the
challenges of simultaneously establishing regional stability,
introducing post-war reconstruction and building a democratic
society".
At present, Croatian troops are participating in five UN peace
operations: in Ethiopia and Eritrea, Kashmir, Sierra Leone, Timor
Leste and Western Sahara.
"We are determined to further intensify our participation in line
with our financial possibilities; this would affect the
composition and number of troops dispatched, and include other
areas in which UN peace-keeping forces are deployed."
The president also stressed the need for the reform of the UN,
especially the Security Council, as well as the General Assembly,
so that they could respond to the new challenges.
"Unless its adapts itself to the new realities in international
relations, the Council will not be able to maintain its credibility
and authority in all parts of the world."
The reform of the Security Council needs to be governed by the
principle of equal representation of all UN members in the Security
Council, he said.
Croatia has put up its candidacy for the Security Council for its
2008/2009 mandate, said Mesic, adding that membership in the
Council would be a great tribute to Croatia and recognition for all
that had been achieved in bringing about peace to South-Eastern
Europe.
With regard to international terrorism, Mesic said that the fight
against international terrorism remained high on the country's
list of priorities. Croatia stands firmly by its American allies
and is aware that joint action by all countries is the best response
to terrorism, to which it contributes, among other things, by
sending its troops to Afghanistan, Mesic said.
The president added that it was equally important to "assist
countries lagging behind in economic development and other areas",
as "inequality, injustice and ignorance are fertile breeding
ground for terrorism".
(hina) rml