NEW YORK, Sept 27 (Hina) - Croatia supports the opinion of the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan that collective security cannot any longer be narrowly defined as the absence of armed conflict, albeit between or within states," the
permanent Croatian representative at the United Nations, Ivan Simonovic, said on Wednesday at the 55th session of the organisation's General Assembly. Simonovic called on Croatia's experience as a country which had been the host for UN peace missions for years, and was today a participant in the organisation's peace missions itself. "Peace operations are ripe for a comprehensive and substantial overhaul," Simonovic asserted. A special working group prepared a report on UN peace operations for this year's General Assembly session. "Croatia supports the reform process in all its aspects, including the conceptualisation and adoption of Security Council mandates, integrated mission planning
NEW YORK, Sept 27 (Hina) - Croatia supports the opinion of the UN
Secretary-General Kofi Annan that collective security cannot any
longer be narrowly defined as the absence of armed conflict, albeit
between or within states," the permanent Croatian representative
at the United Nations, Ivan Simonovic, said on Wednesday at the 55th
session of the organisation's General Assembly.
Simonovic called on Croatia's experience as a country which had
been the host for UN peace missions for years, and was today a
participant in the organisation's peace missions itself.
"Peace operations are ripe for a comprehensive and substantial
overhaul," Simonovic asserted. A special working group prepared a
report on UN peace operations for this year's General Assembly
session.
"Croatia supports the reform process in all its aspects, including
the conceptualisation and adoption of Security Council mandates,
integrated mission planning and support, rapid deployment and
mission duration timelines, as well as the restructuring of the
Department of Peace Keeping Operations," the Croatian Ambassador
said.
He added "We look forward to the conclusion of the mandate of the
small UNMOP mission during this session". Since the withdrawal of
the Yugoslav People's Army (JNA) in 1992, the UN mission - UNMOP -
has been engaged at Croatia's southernmost peninsula of Prevlaka
which has become a contentious issue as the Federal Republic of
Yugoslavia (FRY) has had territorial claims to this area, under the
pretext of security reasons.
Speaking about the general activities of the UN, Simonovic said the
UN should have a sound, sustainable and equitable financing system.
He advocated changes to contributions by member states to the
organisation's regular activities and peace-keeping operations in
line with the "capacity to pay" principle.
He expressed support to changes of UN's principle organs, believing
due regard "should be given to restoring careful balance,"
particularly between the General Assembly and the Security
Council.
(hina) lml