On UN Security Council Reform, New United for Consensus Paper Calls for Transparency, No New Permanent Seats

By Matthew Russell Lee

UNITED NATIONS, March 25 -- With UN Security Council reform to be taken up again tomorrow, Inner City Press has obtained and is publishing here the United for Consensus group's proposals for 2015, being circulated today by Italy's mission to the UN as UfC Focal Point. 

 As before, UfC is opposed to the creation of new Permanent seats on the Council (while that is what the G4 grouping wants).

   United for Consensus says, “we could support a UNSC of up to 26 members in total - a Council that is more representative of the international community as a whole while preserving the principles of democracy and accountability to Member States. The legitimacy of the Council depends not only - or even primarily - on its composition, but on its transparency, accountability and effectiveness. It is not just about who takes decisions, but most importantly the inclusive and democratic nature of decision-making.”

   “Transparency in the work of the Security Council should be enhanced through, for instance, better access to information, an increase in open briefings, and greater interaction with the General Assembly and other interested parties, including TCCs/PCCs and regional and sub-regional organizations.”

   Inner City Press and the new Free UN Coalition for Access might add there has in some recent months been a decrease even in question and answer media stakeouts after closed consultation of the Council.

  UfC continues, “the new category of longer term non-permanent seats and an appropriate increase in two-year non-permanent seats could guarantee better representation among regional groups as well as Small States, including Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Such an increase in the membership of the Council could also provide avenues to account for the aspirations of cross regional and sub-regional groups. Re-election and rotation of seats would be left to the autonomous arrangements within each regional group.

    On the veto, UfC says “While outright abolition of the veto would be ideal, in the immediate term our negotiations should address how to best limit the use of veto in circumstances that include, but are not limited to, mass atrocities.”

   Inner City Press is putting the full United for Consensusdocument online here. We'll have more on this.

   

At UN, PGA John Ashe Disputes There's Been "Pushback" on His Six UNSC Reform Advisers, Human Rights Council Focal Point Showdown?

By Matthew Russell Lee

UNITED NATIONS, December 18 -- When UN President of the General Assembly John Ashe did his end of the year press conference on Wednesday, Inner City Press asked him about the "pushback" at his six member Advisory Group on Security Council reform, and if he'd envisioned a broader mandate for them when he named them. (He's had to clarify that they neither draft nor negotiate.)

  Ashe took issue with the words "pushback" and especially "mandate," arguing that he did not need a mandate to set up the Advisory Group, just as the Secretary General does not need a mandate to set up groups to advise him.

  But the status and yes, mandates of such advisory groups in the UN system often is contested. For example, Ban Ki-moon got advised on war crimes in Sri Lanka, but the Rajapaksa government continues to insist that the report was "not a UN report."

  In the case of Ashe's advisory group, as Inner City Press first reported, letters of concern and pushback came in from Uniting for Consensus, the Arab Group and China, with the Eastern European group raising its concerns orally. This led to multiple clarifications from Ashe; that's how the process works. But why purport there was no pushback?

  As the work of the GA's Third Committee comes to a head later today in the full General Assembly, Inner City Press asked Ashe for his view and action on the dispute between the African Group and others on whether a proposed new "Focal Point" for the UN Human Rights Council needs General Assembly review and approval. 

  Would a reversal of the African Group's slim win undermine the power of the GA or its Presidency?

  Ashe replied that he had not been asked to get involved in this, but that he did not think that it implicated the powers of the PGA. How about of the GA? We will cover it this afternoon.

While it didn't need confirming, click here for previous Inner City Press story, Ashe did it, saying that his successor will be the foreign minister of Uganda, Sam Kutesa. Would he have a view on this afternoon's hot topic? Watch this site.

Footnote: In his last press conference, Ashe quoted Justin Timberlake. Inner City Press praised it, then had to justify the praise - and would do so again. We're still awaiting some transparency, for example a list of who pays for or seconds the positions in the PGA's office. Now, Ban Ki-moon is proposing that ACABQ members be paid directly from the UN budget. Why not the PGA's office? We hope to have more on this.

   

As UN PGA John Ashe Now Says His Group of Six Won't Draft, France for G4 Still Says It Will, G77 on UNTV

By Matthew Russell Lee

UNITED NATIONS, November 7 -- From speeches on UN Security Council reform given Thursday morning, the archeology of the last two weeks could be made out. President of the General Assembly John Ashe named a Group of Six advisers. 

  His letter did not go online; Inner City Press published it first. (His office said that was a snafu not to be repeated.)

  Ashe's Group of Six and their mandate drew criticism from United for Consensus (conveyed by Italy), the Arab Group (conveyed by Bahrain), the Eastern European Group (conveyed in person) and by China. Inner City Press published all three letters.

It emerged that Ashe on November 6 tried to assuage UfC by saying that, contrary to statements by Brazil and Germany in the Security Council debate on Working Methods, the Group of Six will neither negotiate nor draft. Ashe repeated this on Thursday morning.

  Still, French Deputy Permanent Representative said France looks forward to the Advisory Group drafting. India's Deputy Permanent Representative insists the UfC represents a minority, spoilers. But what about the Arab Group? What about China?

  Algeria's Permanent Representative made a point of order, saying that Egypt misstated the Arab Group position.

  Among those also said to still be "mis-interpreting" the mandate of Ashe's Group of Six are Saint Kitts and Nevis for L69, and ("partially") Guyana for CARICOM. The speeches will continue Thursday afternoon. Watch this site.

Footnote: Across the hall in the UN's North Lawn building on Thursday morning, Bolivia became the head of the Group of 77 for 2014, as Inner City Press reported on Wednesday. The meeting, which G77 asked to be on UNTV, was delayed because UNTV still showed it as closed. 

 The Free UN Coalition for Access @FUNCA_info asked why, after the delay hit half an hour. It subsequently went on UNTV and FUNCA offered thanks -- as well as a photograph. This is how problems get fixed in real time. If only Security Council reform were this straight forward. FUNCA will continue.

   

On Inner City Press Scoop on UN SC Reform, PGA Ashe's Spox Admits Slow To Go Online, Says Reached Out, Some Disagree

By Matthew Russell Lee, Follow up on exclusive

UNITED NATIONS, October 24 -- The possible reform of the UN Security Council, which may never happen but was made higher profile this month by Saudi Arabia's rejection of a seat due to dysfunction, is one of the more delicate and divisive issues among UN member states.

  For that reason, many were surprised by the letter by President of the General Assembly John Ashe which Inner City Press obtained and exclusively published on October 23, before it was put on the PGA's website, after inquiry, on October 24.

  Inner City Press asked PGA Ashe's spokesperson Afaf Konja about the delay in posting the letter on the UN website (this was also on behalf of the Free UN Coalition for Access), and about complaints it had received from a range of UN member states.

  For example, Ashe's advisory group will be composed of the Permanent Representative of Belgium, Liechtenstein, San Marino (Ban Ki-moon's golf partner), Sierra Leone, Papua New Guinea and Brazil, its former foreign minister.

 

 Several states complained to Inner City Press that the list is "top heavy with Europeans -- three out of six -- and as one Latin country put it, is being "led by the G4."

  Ms. Konja to her credit called several times and then provided a written answer, which we publish in full below, follow by some replies, with more we're sure to come.

From the office of PGA John Ashe, spokesperson Afaf Konja replied to Inner City Press:

On the letter not being up immediately on the PGA website: As openly disclosed, it was a pure administrative lapse which has already been addressed to ensure a more streamlined and full-proof process.

On the criticism you refer to as 'Euro-top heavy' - As explained, the selection is not based on geographic criteria. It weighs more on the experience of nations in peace-building, and an openness to see beyond differences. Essentially, an advisory group that can help see the process forward.

Please note that the President of the General Assembly met with the UFC group, at their request. They expressed their concerns and they were heard.

Moreover, the advisory group chosen is not a negotiated group.

The President has a responsibility to Member States, and to the international community at-large, to get this process moving forward with moral authority. He has, therefore, made his selection after careful reflection.

On the first point, Ms. Konja explained that from within the Department of General Assembly and Conference Management, which runs the PGA's website, there was surprise when Inner City Press was the first to publish PGA Ashe's letter. She said steps are being taken for this delay to never happen again.

  On the rest, replies so far are as follows: the "reaching out" consisted of "last minute calls and deadlines within the same day. There was no respect to basic diplomatic courtesy... Sierra Leone was not even present at first informal meeting held."

  Concern has been expressed at the line that "the advisory group chosen is not a negotiated group," questioning, Why not? An open meeting could have been held to hear all UN member states. That would have been the promised transparency and respect for the mandate given by General Assembly. After nineteen years of negotiations, a meeting should have been held to try to see a way forward.

We'll have more on this. For now we note that while continuing to dig into this, on October 24 Inner City Press was chided for calling John Ashe "genial." We maintain it: heis genial. But there are also these criticisms. This is the UN. Watch this site.

   

Small 5 Have Support Ranging from S. Africa to Norway But May Withdraw

By Matthew Russell Lee

UNITED NATIONS, May 16, updated 10:50 am -- As Permanent Representatives poured into the General Assembly on Wednesday morning for the expected fight on the Small Five's draft resolution recommending changes to the Security Council's working methods, Inner City Press began taking an informal poll.

South Africa's Permanent Representative Baso Sangqu expressed support for the S5, as did for example Norway and G-4 member Japan.

Others in the UfC said it is "too important an issue" to divide the membership, and urged withdrawal of the proposal, citing the legal opinion letter of Ban Ki-moon's reclusive top lawyer Patricia O'Brien, which Inner City Press obtained and put online yesterday.

After that story, some in UfC pointed out to Inner City Press that even though the Permanent Five wanted that opinion from O'Brien, so did they, and that there are "some Davids" in the UfC, not only the P5 Goliaths.

In fact, the P5 was advised to take a backseat or less visible role, but chose not to. Likewise the P5 were offered an informal process of conferring on working methods, a large Latin country says, but the P5 rejected it.

Still, by 10:15 am Permanent Representatives from Africa and Latin America emerged and told Inenr City Press the buzz is that the Small Five would give a speech and withdraw their proposal.

If not, a UfC Perm Rep told Inner City Press, there would be a no-action motion, and if that failed, a push by the Small Five to lower the requirement to 50% from the O'Brien dictated two-thirds. 

Update of 10:50 am -- a Small Five Permanent Representative who had been fiery on Tuesday now tells Inner City Press, we are going to meet with the PGA. O'Brien's letter sure to figure. Meanwhile there's talk of the African Group asking for a deferral. Watch this site.

Update of 11:12 am -- a Small Five dip has said they will withdraw, not just defer. Still no formal confirmation.

Update of 11:50 am - after a long speech, live Tweeted here, the Swiss Perm Rep said "S5 withdraw" the resolution. Fin.

As Finns Vie for SC, Small 5 Talk Reform & Vote, Colonial Echo in African Trip

By Matthew Russell Lee

UNITED NATIONS, May 2, updated -- The UN Security Council need to be reformed - but there is little agreement as to how or when. In the interim countries continue to vie for their two years on the Council. 

 

  All this was on display on May 2 at the UN, when the so-called Small Five held a session in the General Assembly, while Council candidate for 2013-14 Finland showed off its peacekeeping and even chocolates in the Kuwaiti Boat area between the Council and GA.

  Costa Rica, Jordan, Liechtenstein, Singapore and Switzerland make up the Small Five. Unlike the G4, UFC and L69 the Small Five is pushing to reform the Council's "working methods," with a resolution making 21 reform points. 

 

  These include no vetoes of actions aimed at preventing or ending genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity, given the General Assembly a greater role in selecting the Secretary General, and improving due process in sanctions lists.

  A proponent Permanent Representative told Inner City Press on Wednesday that it is 90% sure that this resolution will be put to a vote on May 16, saying it requires only 50%. Others say two-third should be required.

Update of 4:07 pm - the meeting is closed, but sources tell Inner City Press Canada is proposing a vote on whether 2/3 should be required. A vote about a vote. Meanwhile a reader replies about Finland's chocolate "Martti Bar," see below, that one shouldn't eat a Nobel Peace Prize winner...

  While some say to call a vote is good -- "enough talk, let's vote" -- others say it is jumping the gun. There are five points to reform, several Ambassadors told Inner City Press, and Working Methods is the last. They should hold off.

Update of 6:20 pm -- After speaking with three of the Small Five Permanent Representatives, Inner City Press gleens that a legal opinon will be sought from the President of the GA. If he says only 50% is needed, a member of UfC may call a vote to overrule the PGA -- a vote that would be simple majority. 

  The Small Five -- perhaps they should re-brand themselves the "Strategic"Five -- seem to acknowledge that obtaining 2/3 would be a stretch. So they hope for the ruling of 50%, and that it not be overturned. Opponents have different motives; some but not all take positions in support of one or more of the Permanent Five.  We will continue on this.

  Downstairs Finland's peacekeeping and chocolate display, with a loop of upbeat music and video clips of Martti Ahtisaari, is openly directly to getting elected to the Council in October. It's a rare contested race, with Australia and Luxembourg for two seats.

Australia's pitch is that yes it is WEOG -- Western European and Other Group, to you -- but it is also in Asia, bridging the gap.

  Finland, which gave Inner City Press a tour and, in full disclosure, a chocolate bar we'll call the Martti Bar, in the tradition of the Reggie (Jackson) bar given out at one point in Yankee Stadium, is that for a small non-aligned country they do a lot in mediation, even have a war crimes expert who worked in Libya in April 2012, Helena Ranta. We aim to cover Luxembourg's pitch when we can.

  Meanwhile as Azerbaijan takes over the Security Council presidency in May there is a trip to West Africa. Tellingly, each stop is co-sponsored by the former colonialist or sponsor, paired with an African country. 

 The Cote d'Ivoire leg will be led by colonialist France, along with Togo. The Sierra Leone stop will be co-led by the UK and South Africa. And the Liberia leg's by Morocco and the United States.

   Finland went to pains to point out that it never had colonies. Australia, while both funding and some say controlling a number of small island states, was itself a colony in a sense, and now claims to be the country with the highest rate of inter-racial marriage in the world. Again, we aim to cover Luxembourg's pitch, sure to involved peacebuilding, when we can. Watch this site.

On G20, Mexico Doesn't Meet UN's Ban, Occupy Discouraged, Volcker Rule Opposed, UN in "Urgent Need of Reform"

By Matthew Russell Lee

UNITED NATIONS, March 8 -- When the current G20 heads of Mexico came to New York, they tellingly did not meet with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Inner City Press learned on Thursday. Rather they met only with Ban's official Robert Orr, now being moved to an invented post about public private partnerships.

The Mexican Mission to the UN's able spokesman organized a press conference at the Mission with five journalists, at which Roberto Marino and "Sherpa" representative Gabriel Terres downplayed the obsolescence of the UN.

Then Inner City Press asked Mexico's Permanent Representative to respond to the theory that currently the UN General Assembly is becoming obsolete, or "not fit for purpose" as its President from Qatar has put it. (The PGA's spokeswoman told Inner City Press earlier on Thursday this was "taken out of context," but wouldn't say if any correction had been requested.)

It is "in urgent need of reform," Mexico's ambassador responded, indicting the marginalization of ECOSOC, but saying that somehow the current troika and Singapore could reverse it.

Mexico is a leader of the UFC school of Security Council reform which if enacted, which is unlikely, could help reverse the trend.

The Mission was asked if the Occupy movement will target their G20. I hope not, said Marino. But why not? Already President Obama has moved the G8 from Chicago to Camp David to make it "more intimate" -- that is, less protestable.

Inner City Press asked if it is true that the G20 is against implementation of the US Volcker Rule, not because it is pro deregulation, but only because it would lower the value of non-US goverment bonds. It hadn't been implemented, Magiro agilely answered.

But in fact a Mexico based subprime lending owned by Salinas Pliego, the Grupo Elektra, is now in line to buy controversial US payday lending Advance America. Who is using the G20? Watch this site.